Tikhon of Zadonsk

Tikhon of Zadonsk (Russian Тихон Задонский / Tikhon Sadonski, real name Тимофей Савельевич Соколов / Timofei Saweljewitsch Sokolow; * 1724 in Korozko, .. † 13 Augustjul / 24 August 1783greg in Zadonsk ) was from 1763 to 1767 Bishop of Voronezh. He is a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church ( Memorial Day 13 Augustjul. / August 26 Greg. ).

Life

Timofei was born 1724 in Korozko ( circle Valdai ). As a family name " Sokolow " is specified in the oldest source. His father, Savely Kirillov, was a church singer, his mother's name was Domnika. Timofei had three brothers and two sisters. His father died early; Therefore, the family lived in great poverty. Timofei's talent was encouraged. He was able to attend the clergymen, founded 1740 Seminar in Veliky Novgorod. In July 1754 he completed his studies and became professor of rhetoric at the seminar. On April 10, 1758 he became a monk and given the name Tikhon. His patron was St.. Tikhon of Amathus (Cyprus), who lived around 340-403 according to tradition. On August 27, 1758 Tikhon was a lecturer in philosophy and on January 13, 1759 Prefect of the seminar. On August 26, 1759, he became rector of the ecclesiastical seminary in Tver and lecturer in theology. On 13 May 1761, he was consecrated in St. Petersburg Bishop of Kexholm and Ladoga. He was Vicar Bishop of Novgorod. On February 3, In 1763 he became Bishop of Voronezh and Yelets. For health reasons, asked Tikhon mid- 1767 retirement. In 1768 he lived in Tolschew Saviour 's Transfiguration Monastery. In March 1769 he moved to the Gottesgebärerinkloster Teschewsk, 1779 in Zadonsk, ie Place was renamed across the river Don. Tikhon was known for his commitment to prisoners, poor families and the homeless.

It succeeded Tikhon, his concerns ( the fight against sin, penance and asceticism ) to give the common people as well as the educated. In his sermons he denounced social injustice. He was also an excellent writer and has written a number of works, which are based on suggestions from the work of Johann Arndt. The Russian writer Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky designed the figure of the Elder Zosima in his novel The Brothers Karamazov on the basis of statements and work Tikhon. He died in 1783 in Zadonsk. His remains were laid to rest in the Vladimir Cathedral of Sadonsker monastery, which developed after his canonization in 1861 into a major place of pilgrimage.