 For a time, he was an accountant at the Metropolis of Ungro-Wallachia and a professor of religion.He was left a widower and, in 1895, became a monk at Cernica Monastery, taking the name Nifon.The same year, he became vicar bishop of Ungro-Wallachia, with the title of Ploieșteanul, and remained in this position until 1909.