In 1385, the Archbishop of Novgorod Aleksei (r. 1359–1388) sent a Novgorodian army to oust the new establishment, but the new bishopric, with the help of the city of Ustiug, was able to defeat it. In 1386, Stephan visited Novgorod, and the city and its archbishop formally acknowledged the new situation.
In 1385, Archbishop Aleksei of Novgorod (r. 1359–1388) ordered a Novgorodian army to expel the newly formed bishopric, but the new bishopric, with Ustiug City's support, successfully countered it. In 1386, Stephan visited Novgorod, and the city and its archbishop acknowledged the new status.