Translation of the relics (1569) of St. Tikhon of Lukhov (1503)
Commemorated on June 26, June 16
The Monk Tikhon of
Lukhovsk, and Kostroma (in the world Timofei), was born within the bounds
of the Lithuanian princedom and was in military service there. In the year
1482, not wanting to accept Uniatism, he went from Lithuania to Russia. The
saint gave away everything that he had, accepted monastic orders with the name
Tikhon and settled in Kostroma diocese in the Lukhovsk region. The city of Lukh
was at that time given to prince Feodor Bel'sky, together with whom the Monk
Tikhon had come from Lithuania. On the banks of the boundary of the Kopitovka
the Monk Tikhon made his cell. When two monks, Photii and Gerasim, came to him
in the wilderness, the monk because of them moved a distance of three versts from
the Koptovka to a more satisfactory location. The monks earned their living by
the work of their hands. The Monk Tikhon copied books with skill, and was a
fine lathe turner. Out of humility he did not become a priest. The Monk Tikhon
died on 16 June 1503, in such poverty, that his disciples did not know how they
would bury him. But to their comfort the archbishop of Suzdal' sent a monastic
burial shroud, in which to consign him to the earth. Soon after his death at
the place of his labours there arose a monastery in honour of Sainted Nicholas
the Wonderworker.
In 1569 at the grave
of the Monk Tikhon there began healings of the sick, and his relics were found
to be undecayed. But the hegumen Konstantin, who brought the relics above
ground, was struck blind; having recovered his eyesight, he concealed the
relics of the Monk Tikhon back into the ground. From this time began the
veneration of the Monk Tikhon. His life with 70 posthumous miracles that were
recorded was compiled in the year 1649.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
