[[Image:Tikhon_of_MoscowTikhon_of_Moscow_icon.jpg|frame|right|thumb|Icon of St. Tikhon]]Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Tikhon of Moscow''' (Russian: Святитель Тихон, Патриарх Московский и всея Руси) (1865–1925), [[Enlightener]]of North America, was Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1917–1925).

Our father among While in America, he established his cathedral in New York City, and presided over a vast [[archdiocese]], encouraging and authorizing many publications in the English language. Among these, he encouraged the saints '''Tikhon translation of Moscowthe Eastern [[liturgy]] into English by [[Isabel Hapgood|Isabel Florence Hapgood]], and he wrote an extensive [[catechism]] based on the [[Nicene Creed]] and the [[Lord''' was Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1917-1925). Born 1865, died 1925s Prayer|Our Father]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[April 7]]by [[New Calendar]] churches, on [[March 25]] by [[Old Calendar]] churches; his [[glorification]] is celebrated on [[September 26]], and he is also commemorated on the feast of the [[New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia]], celebrated on the Sunday nearest to [[January 25]], which was the date of the martyrdom of Metropolitan [[Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev and Gallich|Vladimir of Kiev]], the first Bishop of the new martyrs.

{{orthodoxyinamerica}} ==Early life==St. Tikhon (''né'' Vasily Ivanovich Bellavin; ''Russian:'' '''Василий Иванович Беллавин''') was born on [[January 19]], 1865. His father was Ioann Bellavin, a rural [[priest]] of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. "From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility. ... From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the [[Pskov]] Theological Seminary. ... His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called 'bishop' and 'patriarch' by his classmates." [http://www.oca.org/HSbiotikhon.asp?SID=7] "Following graduation from the Pskov Seminary and [[St. Petersburg Theological Academy]], he becomes an instructor first at Pskov Theological Seminary (1888-91), then Kholm Theological Seminary (1891-97), where he quickly became [[Rector]]. Just prior to his transfer to Kholm he was tonsured a monk with the name Tikhon and ordained." [http://ocaphoto.oca.org/MiscEventViewer.asp?EID=888&IID=14365] ==Life and work after ordination==One of the first Orthodox [[bishop]]s to do major work in North America, St. Tikhon went on to establish the "Diocese of the Aleutians and North America" after converting many people on the continent. Deemed an honorary citizen of the United States, he consecrated Orthodox Churches in America during the early 20th Century. The saint was also the primary founder of [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)]], naming it for his heavenly patron, St. [[Tikhon of Zadonsk]]. After returning to Russia in 1907, he continued to win the affection of thousands with his humble piety and loving affection. During World War I, he charitably aided displaced citizens, who flocked to him. He was also honored on [[November 5]], 1917 by being elected [[Patriarch]] of the Russian [[Orthodox Church]]. St. Tikhon had to overcome much disunity within the Church. [[Image:Tikhon_of_Moscow.jpg|left|thumb|St. Tikhonof Moscow]] When the ungodly Bolshevik regime took control of the country, Church property was confiscated and the Russian Orthodox Church had to endure much repression. St. Tikhon openly condemned the killings of [[Nicholas II of Russia|Czar]]'s family in 1918 and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the [[Church]]. At this time, he called Russian Orthodox Christians to unite and strengthen their practices. To avoid further persecution, he issued a message that clergy were not to make any political statements. From 1922 to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in [[Donskoy Monastery (Moscow)|Donskoy Monastery]] after he openly opposed the government's decree of being able to confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty in South Canaanan apparent attempt to relieve the harsh pressures on the Church. Despite his declaration of loyalty, he continued to enjoy the trust of the Orthodox community in Russia. As persecution continued, he began to feel overwhelmed, Pennsylvaniaand his strength and health declined. On Sunday [[April 5]], naming it for 1925 he served his heavenly patronlast Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O [[Lord]], glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, Stdying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a [[Tikhon of Zadonskmartyr]]for the faith.

St. In 1989, Patriarch Tikhon openly condemned was [[glorification|glorified]] by the killings [[Church of Russia]]. This process is generally considered an example of the Czar's family thaw in 1918, and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the [[Church of Russia|Church]]-Soviet relations in the Glasnost era.

[[Image:Tikhon_of_Moscow_icon==Quotes by Saint Tikhon=="Devote all your energy to preaching the word of God and the truth of Christ, especially today, when unbelief and atheism are audaciously attacking the Church of Christ.jpg|frame|left|Icon May the God of peace and love be with all of you!"  "May God teach every one of us to strive for His truth, and for the good of Stthe Holy Church, rather than something for our own sake. Tikhon]]"{{orthodoxyinamerica}}From 1922 "The spread of Christ's faith ought to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in be near and precious to the heart of every Orthodox Christian" ==Hymns==[[Donskoy MonasteryTroparion]]. Upon being released(Tone 1) :Let us praise Tikhon, the patriarch of all Russia,:And enlightener of North America:An ardent follower of the Apostolic traditions, he assured :And good pastor of the regime Church of Christ.:Who was elected by divine providence,:And laid down his life for his loyaltysheep.:Let us sing to him with faith and hope, :And ask for his hierarchical intercessions::Keep the church in Russia in tranquility,:And the church in North America in an apparent attempt peace.:Gather her scattered children into one flock,:Bring to relieve the harsh pressures on repentance those who have renounced the True Faith,:Preserve our lands from civil strife,:And entreat God's peace for all people! [[ChurchKontakion]](Tone 3) :Today the assembly of New Martyrs:Stands together with us in the Church:And together we raise a festive song:Celebrating the uncovering of the relics of our Hierarch Father Tikhon:Who defeated the enemy and preserved the Faith:While protecting the flock entrusted to him.:For he ever prays for us all:That we may never be deprived of the Love of God. Despite his declaration ==See also==*[[Liturgy of St. Tikhon of loyaltyMoscow]], he continued to enjoy an adaptation of the trust of [[Eucharist|Communion]] service from the 1928 [[OrthodoxAnglican]] community ''Book of Common Prayer'' and ''The Anglican Missal in Russiathe American Edition. When he died, he was considered a martyr for the faith''*[[Liturgy of St.Tikhon (text)]]*[[Western Rite]]