SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS & TIKHON OF ZADONSK

 (  Tikhon 1724 -1783 )

Saint '''Tikhon of Zadonsk''' (1724 - 1783) was born in the village of Korotsk, by the name of (Timothy) in the Novgorod region, Russia. His father soon died. His family was left in such poverty that one time his mother decided to give him to a wealthy man who wished to adopt him. Her eldest son (Peter) who had taken the Father's place begged her not to do this. "We will teach Timothy to read," he said. When he turned fourteen, it was decreed to be taken as a soldier, but a seminary was to be opened at that time at Novgorod.  His other brother helped him working among vegetable gardeners.

Timothy studied hard and finished the seminary at thirty years of age to be a teacher.. When he had to choose his course in life, he was drawn to monastic life. He was tonsured a monk at the age of thirty-four. Two incidents at that time influenced him: Once while standing on a tall bell-tower, he carelessly leaned with his elbows on the ancient railing; it gave way, but an invisible hand threw him backward to fall on his back. Another time, at night he saw the heavens opened and unusual light shined on him.  When the Synod was choosing a bishop for Novgorod, thrice the lot fell to him. He was later consecrated Bishop of Voronezh. He served as bishop for a little under seven years. He found his eldest sister living in great poverty, he received her with brotherly love to look after her until she died. At her funeral, in her coffin, she smiled at him. During his bishopric "the harvest was great, but the workers few." The diocese was huge with few clergy.

Then, he retired to the monastery of Zadonsk because of poor health and lived there until he reposed on August 13, 1783.  During his lifetime he created many spiritual works and because of his great wisdom, holiness, and asceticism is considered an equal to the Great Fathers of the Orthodox Christian Church. His uncorrupted relics were kept there and due to the reports of the many miracles that occurred near his relic he was made a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1861. His feast day is celebrated on August 26 (August 13, Julian calendar).
From his writings:

Do you know what eternity is? Eternity is beginning without end. That is, one it begins it never ends. Or, it is always and never. That is, it shall always be and never cease. This is eternity. All the ages from the foundation of the world to the end are as the smallest speck as compared to the whole world, or as a minute as compared to thousands of years."    St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

"It is not possible to correct yourself rightly if you do not recognize the evil hidden in your heart and the calamities that proceed from it. An unrecognized disease remains untreated. The beginning of health is to know your disease, and the beginning of blessedness is to know your misfortune and wretchedness. For who having recognized his illness does not seek healing, and who knowing his misfortune does not seek deliverance from it?"    St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

"You look into a mirror so that you may know what is in your face, whether there are any blemishes in it, and having seen blemishes, you cleanse them. Let the immaculate life of Christ be a mirror to your soul, look into it often and know what is in your soul. Does it desire the same things that Christ desires? And does it do that Christ did when He lived on earth? And in it you will see what is contrary to the life of Christ, and you will cleanse it all like blemishes with repentance and contrition of heart. Christ the Lord despised honor, glory, and riches in this world, thought He was able to have everything as the Master of all. Do you not seek honor, riches, and glory in this world?"     St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

"It is glorious to be the child of an earthly king; it is incomparably more glorious to be the child of God the Heavenly King. This honor, glory, merit, nobility, and name is more excellent than all titles of this world. For this, glory to God Who loves mankind!"
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

It is a fearful thing for Christians to be hateful, who are commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ to love not only friends, but also their enemies.
St Tikhon Zadonsk

Treat every man not with flattery, but simply, just as you do yourself. As you appear to him outwardly, be so inwardly as well; and what you say to him and what you have on your lips must be in your heart also. For flattery and treachery are the works of pestilent people, and the devil lives in their hear teaching them flattery and treachery so as to deceive us.

Be extremely careful not to offend anyone in word or deed, for it is a grave sin. when someone is offended, God, Who loves the man, is also offended, for there can be no offending man without offending God. Whoever sin against man, also sin against God.

The grace of God is the life of our souls. Our soul cannot be alive without the grace of God. For as our body lives by the soul, so our soul lives by the grace if God. Pray, then, always and sigh unto God that He give you His grace, and that He preserve you in it. We need the grace of God every minute. For this reason, sigh often from the depth of your heart, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me...." (Ps 50:12-14)

On Pride: [73] Pride is a most abominable sin, but hardly anyone recognizes it since it is hidden deep in the heart. Not knowing one's self is the beginning of pride. This ignorance blinds a man, and thus he becomes full of pride. O that man would know himself! He would know his own misfortune, poverty, and wretchedness; he would never become full of pride. But man is so wretched that he does not see and know his misfortune and wretchedness. ( Journey to heaven , Chapter 7 )