Born to a noble family of Venice, Justiniani entered the monastery of San Niccoló del Lido there in 1153. When all other members of the Justiniani family died in the Aegean Sea, near Chios, during a Venetian military expedition in 1172, the government sent Baron Morosin and Toma Falier as delegates to Pope Alexander III, with the request to dispense Nicholas from his monastic vows. This was granted, and Nicholas married Anna, the daughter of Doge Michieli.
Born into a noble family of Venice, Justiniani entered the monastery of San Niccoló del Lido there in 1153. When all other members of the Justiniani family perished in the Aegean Sea, near Chios, during a Venetian military expedition in 1172, the government dispatched Baron Morosin and Toma Falier as envoys to Pope Alexander III, requesting dispensation from Nicholas' monastic vows. This was granted, and Nicholas married Anna, the daughter of Doge Michieli.