Venerable Tikhon of Luchov, Kostroma

Saint Tikhon of Lukhov, and Kostroma (in the world Timothy), was born within the bounds of the Lithuanian princedom and was in military service there. In the year 1482, not wanting to accept Uniatism, he went from Lithuania to Russia. The saint gave away everything that he had, accepted monastic tonsure with the name Tikhon, and settled in the Kostroma diocese in the Lukhov region. The city of Lukh was at that time given to Prince Theodore Belsky, with whom Saint Tikhon had come from Lithuania. On the banks of the boundary of the Kopitovka Saint Tikhon built his cell. When two monks, Photius and Gerasimus, came to him in the wilderness, because of them Tikhon moved three versts from the Koptovka to a more satisfactory location.

The monks earned their living by the work of their hands. Saint Tikhon copied books with skill, and was a fine lathe turner. Out of humility he did not become a priest. Saint Tikhon died on June 16, 1503 in such poverty that his disciples did not know how they would bury him. But to their comfort the Archbishop of Suzdal sent a monastic burial shroud, in which to bury him. Soon after his death, at the place of his labors, a monastery was built in honor of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Saint Tikhon is also commemorated on June 26. (the uncovering of his holy relics in 1569).