Venerable Vassian of Tiksna, in the world Vasily, was a peasant from the village of Strelice, engaged in tailoring. Leaving his family, he took monastic vows from Venerable Theodosius of Totma in the Sumarina Monastery on the river Sukhona, where he spent several years in labor and obedience. In 1594, he settled near Totma, at the church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, on the river Tiksna. At first, he lived on the church porch, then built a cell near the church. The Venerable attended every divine service and for thirteen years bore on his body chains: a heavy chain on his shoulders, an iron belt around his waist, and an iron cap under his hood.
Desiring solitude, he did not accept anyone into his cell, feeding on alms that were placed on his window. Venerable Vassian reposed on September 12, 1624. Only at his burial was it discovered how severely he had humbled his flesh.
On the site of his exploits, a monastery was later founded in honor of the Not-Made-By-Hands Image of the Savior. The veneration of the Venerable began in 1647, when during a plague many received healing at the place of his burial. The life of the Venerable was written in 1745 by the igumen Joseph.
