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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 affectiongaffection. During World War I, he charitably aided displaced citizens to , who flocked to him. He was also honored by in August of 1917 by being elected [[Patriarch]] of the Russian [[Orthodox Church]]. St. Tikkhon Tikhon had to overcome much disunity within the Church.
[[Image:Tikhon_of_Moscow.jpg|left|thumb|St. Tikhon of 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 the [[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]] after he openly opposed the government’s decree of being able to confisgate confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty, in an 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 , and his strength and health declined. On Sunday [[April 5]], 1925 he served his last Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, dying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a [[martyr]] for the faith.
In 1989, Patriarch Tikhon was [[glorification|glorified]] by the [[Church of Russia]]. This process is generally considered an example of the thaw in [[Church of Russia|Church]]-Soviet relations in the Glasnost era.