Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk biography

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk was born in 1724 to a poor sacristan in the village of Koretsk, within the Novgorod diocese. Following the early death of his father, he lived in poverty and worked for peasants to survive while pursuing his education through church schools and the Novgorod seminary.

After serving as a professor of rhetoric, Tikhon entered monastic life in 1758. He was later ordained a priest and appointed to lead the Tver seminary. In 1761, at the age of 37, he was elevated to the rank of bishop and appointed to the Voronezh diocese.

During his tenure, he focused on reforming parishes and addressing social and religious issues through preaching and writing. He advocated for Christian purity and encouraged believers to endure worldly hardships with the same spirit as Christ.