Hierarch 18th century

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk

1724–1783

Also known as Tikhon, Bishop of Voronezh · Timothy Sokolov

Bishop of Voronezh who retired to Zadonsk Monastery and became one of Russia's most beloved spiritual writers, living in prayer, humility, and care for the poor.

Feast Day

August 13

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Tikhon, Bishop of Voronezh, the Wonderworker of Zadonsk

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Mental Health

Life

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk was an eighteenth-century Russian hierarch, Bishop of Voronezh, who is remembered above all as a spiritual writer and as one of the most beloved figures of the Russian Church. Born Timofey Kirillov in 1724 in the village of Korotsk in the Novgorod region, he was raised by his mother in extreme poverty after the early loss of his father, and as a child performed heavy peasant labor.

After rising through clerical schooling to become a seminary teacher, he received the monastic name Tikhon in 1758 and was consecrated a bishop in 1761. He governed the Diocese of Voronezh for several years before retiring in poor health to monastic life, settling at last at the Zadonsk Monastery, where he devoted himself to prayer, ascetic discipline, writing, and care for the poor until his death in 1783. His relics were uncovered in the nineteenth century and he was canonized in 1861.

Timeline 11 moments Read Hide

1724 Birth Born Timofey Kirillov in the village of Korotsk in the Novgorod region, and raised in extreme poverty after the death of his father.
c. 1737 Sent to school At about age thirteen he was sent to a clergy school, supporting himself in part through manual labor as a gardener.
c. 1740 Novgorod Seminary Entered the Novgorod Seminary on a state grant, where he excelled academically.
1754 Seminary teacher Began teaching, first Greek and later rhetoric and philosophy.
1758 Monastic tonsure Took monastic vows and received the name Tikhon.
1761 Consecrated bishop Consecrated Bishop of Kexholm and Ladoga, serving as a vicar bishop of the Novgorod Diocese.
1763 Bishop of Voronezh Transferred to the Diocese of Voronezh, which he governed for several years.
1769 Retirement to Zadonsk Having withdrawn from the episcopate in poor health, he settled at the Zadonsk Monastery.
1783 Repose Died at the Zadonsk Monastery.
1846 Uncovering of relics His relics were discovered during cathedral construction.
1861 Canonization Glorified as a saint by the Holy Governing Synod of the Russian Church.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributions Read Hide

Early Life and Education

Saint Tikhon was born Timofey Kirillov in 1724 in the village of Korotsk in the Novgorod region. His family was poor, and following the death of his father he was raised by his mother amid hardship, performing peasant labor from a young age. His surname was later given as Sokolov by the head of his seminary.

At about thirteen he was sent to a clergy school, and at sixteen he entered the Novgorod Seminary on a state grant. He distinguished himself in his studies and went on to teach, first Greek and afterward rhetoric and philosophy. In 1758 he took monastic vows and received the name Tikhon.

Episcopal Ministry

In 1761 Tikhon was consecrated Bishop of Kexholm and Ladoga, serving as a vicar bishop of the Novgorod Diocese. In 1763 he was transferred to the Diocese of Voronezh, which he governed for several years. Worn by ill health, he requested release from the active duties of the episcopate.

He first settled at the Tolshevsky Monastery near Voronezh, and in 1769 moved to the Zadonsk Monastery, where he remained for the rest of his life.

Monastic Life and Writings

At Zadonsk, Saint Tikhon lived in prayer, humility, ascetic simplicity, and active charity toward the poor. He became one of the most influential spiritual writers of the Russian Church, and is sometimes called the "Russian Chrysostom" for the warmth and eloquence of his teaching, which emphasized repentance, forgiveness, and rest in Christ.

Among his works are A Spiritual Treasury Gathered from the World (1770) and On True Christianity (1776), together with shorter treatises including Rules of Monastic Life, On the Seven Holy Mysteries, and On the Mystery of Holy Repentance.

Relics and Glorification

Saint Tikhon died at Zadonsk in 1783. His relics were uncovered in 1846 during the construction of a cathedral, and reports of miracles associated with them spread widely. In 1861 he was glorified as a saint by the Holy Governing Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

His principal feast is celebrated on August 13, which also commemorates a finding of his relics, while the uncovering of his relics is observed on May 14.

Works & Further Reading Read Hide

Notable Works

A Spiritual Treasury Gathered from the World — A devotional and moral work drawing spiritual lessons from everyday things.
On True Christianity — His best-known work, a treatise on the inner life of the Christian.
Rules of Monastic Life — A shorter treatise of guidance for monastics.
On the Seven Holy Mysteries — A treatise on the sacraments of the Church.
On the Mystery of Holy Repentance — A treatise on repentance and confession.

Notes

Aug 13 also commemorates the second finding of his relics.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints