Presbyter
Saint Tikhon Arkhangelsky was born on May 30, 1875, in the province of Voronezh, into a priest’s family. However, he lost his parents at a very young age and was raised by his cousin and her husband.
He studied at a theological school and married Khionia, a pious young woman. Together they had eighteen children, nine of whom survived. Shortly after his marriage, he was ordained a priest in the church of the village where they lived. He worked in agriculture and raised his children in a spirit of piety and faith.
In 1928, the authorities closed the church and began to persecute him. Nevertheless, the local inhabitants respected him and recognized his holiness. He was arrested on August 9, 1937, sentenced to death, and executed on October 17, 1937, never renouncing his faith.
His wife was also arrested and sentenced to eight years of forced labor. However, she was released in late 1944. She reposed in December 1945 and was buried in the local cemetery.
