Saint Tikhon of Medyn, the Kaluga miracle worker, lived in the 15th century, presumably originating from Kyiv. In his youth, he accepted monasticism in the Chudov Monastery in Moscow, then withdrew to a deserted place near Kaluga, on the banks of the Vepreyka River.
In the last years of his life, near his hermitage, the famous 'Stand on the Ugra' (1480) took place, which marked the end of the Tatar yoke in Russia. The saint lived in a hollow of an oak tree, which stood for almost four centuries after his death. He fed on wild plants and drank water from a well that he himself dug.
News of his holy life attracted disciples to him, and gradually a brotherhood gathered around him. Prince Vasily Yaroslavich, discovering his dwelling, attempted to drive the saint away, but having offended him, he himself was punished. Repenting, the prince sought forgiveness and began to persuade Tikhon to stay and establish a monastery.
The saint founded a hermitage, building the first wooden church in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, became the first igumen, and managed the brotherhood with humility and meekness. He fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, and interceded for the oppressed.
He passed away in 1492, having received the great schema. His memory is noted in the synodicon of the Lavrentiev Monastery. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the first royal contribution was made to Tikhon’s hermitage, and he began to be called 'the Blessed'. His memory was established at the Council of 1584.
The relics of the saint were kept in the wooden church of the Dormition, and after its burning, they were transferred to the church in honor of the Three Hierarchs. The hermitage was restored during the reigns of Tsars Mikhail Fyodorovich and Alexei Mikhailovich. In 1799, the monastery was assigned to the newly established Kaluga diocese, and a service for Saint Tikhon was approved.
In 1887, a wooden church in honor of the Life-Giving Spring was built. In the 19th century, significant healings occurring through the prayers of the saint were recorded in the church. In icons, the saint is depicted in schemastic attire, praying before the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God.
The memory of Saint Tikhon is honored on June 16, not only in the Kaluga land but throughout Russia.
