ST. TIKHON OF ZADONSK

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Dear brothers and sisters:

we congratulate you with the day commemorating St.Tikhon of Zadonsk who was a great labourer of the 18th century, and who is often compared to another great saint of the 20th century — St. Tikhon Paatriarch of Moscow and All Russia! Both of them were images of Hierarchs who loved everyone, helped everyone, and aspired to go to the Heavenly abode never slowing down until they settled there. Both excelled in ‘quietness’ (which in Russian sounds like Tikho) which translated from Greek means ‘happiness’. In today’s Gospel Christ warns us about mean vinedressers, and the Church calender calls us to honour the memory of these kind servants from God’s vineyard. Timothy, the future St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, was the son of a poor ‘cantor’, and during his studies at the seminary endured the pranks from wealthy students, whom would wave at him with old sandals like a censor, saying: «We magnify you, prelate!» which happened to be prophetic!!! and whom by destiny was chosen to become a bishop!

Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us.

After serving 4 years as a bishop, prelate Tikhon at age 45, on account of illness, retired to the monastery named after ‘Birth of Mother of God’ in Zadonsk. There, for the next seventeen years of his life, he fuffilled any work. During that time he ‘edified’ many by his words and example. He lived very simply in the monastery and slept on straw. His humility was so great that he payed no attention when mocked, pretending he did not hear, and later would say: «It is God’s will that clerics laugh at me – I deserved that on account of my sins». Often in these cases he would say: «Forgiveness is better than revenge».

Strict with himself, the prelate was tolerant to others. One day during ‘great lent’ he walked into his friends cell. Seing that there was food with fish, he said: «Love is greater than fasting». In order to calm them the blessed saint ate some of the fish soup.

Saint Tikhon especially loved simple people, continuously comforting them in their hardships, defending them and edifying the masters to be merciful. He gave all of his pension to those who had been burned out, to the hungry and the poor. He was particularly kind to children, where his love flowed through talks and gifts.

St. Tikhon’s Monastery

The humble St. Tikhon, despite his high rank, strictly kept his monastic vows of poverty and pennylessness. Early on, before his passing, he ordered a plain wooden coffin which he kept in his cell, and used for short sleep. He asked monks to be burried in this coffin. As it turned out the coffin was too narrow and his body, by the will of God, was placed in a coffin more condusive to his rank. He chose his burial place on the way to the Altar saying: «May my sinful body be trampled under foot». 63 years after the prelates passing, while a new cathedral was being built, his relics were recovered ‘undecomposed’. Saint Tikhon, teach us to live spiritually!

Today, we also celebrate the namesday of prelate St. Tikhon (Bellavin) – first Russian bishop to visit Canada and bless this place where now stands our cathedral of St. Barbara. When taking monastic vows he was tonsured with the name Tikhon in honour of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk. In honour of his patron saint he blessed the foundation of the first Orthodox monastery in north America (state of Pensylvania). By the prayers of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and St.Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightner of North America may our Christian path be similar to His Holliness and happiness! Amen!

August 26, 2018