Nikolaos of Horaia Pege was a kinsman of Konstantinos IX, but concealed the fact, even when Konstantinos became emperor. Konstantinos took the initiative, asking Psellos, the most skilled of his learned men, to write a letter of invitation to the capital. Nikolaos came, the two relatives met, and Psellos too had an opportunity for conversation and the development of mutual respect and admiration with Nikolaos. He would go to Nikolaos' monastery after its founders death