On October 9, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the glorification of St. Tikhon (Bellavin), the Primate who led it during the years of revolutionary upheavals and persecution. His life became an example of faithfulness to Christ, pastoral courage and love for people.
The future Patriarch, Vasily Ivanovich Bellavin, was born in 1865 into the family of a priest in the Pskov province. After receiving his education at the Pskov Theological Seminary and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, he returned to his native seminary as a teacher. His kindness, modesty and responsiveness earned him the love of his comrades and students. Back at the academy, his friends called him "the patriarch," not assuming that this nickname would turn out to be prophetic.
In 1891, Vasily took monastic vows with the name Tikhon in honor of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, and in 1897 he was ordained bishop of Lublin. Subsequently, his archpastoral ministry took place in North America, Yaroslavl and Vilna. He visited remote parishes, took care of the construction of churches and spiritual enlightenment, and united Orthodox Christians of different nations. During the First World War, he supported the wounded, visited the infirmaries and parted the soldiers.
In November 1917, after the restoration of the patriarchate, Metropolitan Tikhon was elected to the Patriarchal Throne. He served during one of the most tragic periods of Russian history. Amid violence, the destruction of churches, and the persecution of the clergy, he called on believers to repent, pray, and preserve church unity. Defending the Church, the saint warned people against hatred and revenge.
During the famine, the Patriarch blessed the donation of church valuables that were not used for worship, but opposed the forcible seizure of shrines. He was imprisoned in 1922-1923. Trials and threats did not break him: after his release, the saint continued to perform divine services, receive people, and strengthen his flock. The meaning of his selfless service is expressed in the words: "May my name perish in history, if only the Church would benefit."
On April 7, 1925, on the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Patriarch Tikhon departed to the Lord. On October 9, 1989, the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church glorified him as a saint. The relics of the saint rest in the Great Cathedral of the Donskoy Monastery in Moscow.
Honoring the memory of St. Tikhon, we turn to his spiritual example: to keep faith, to serve our neighbors, and even in severe trials to overcome evil with good.