His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, delivered an address on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the blessed repose of Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia..
Your Eminences and Graces,
Reverend Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The year 2025 is a particularly memorable year for the Russian Orthodox Church, as we prayerfully commemorate the 100th anniversary of the repose in the Lord of Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia — a Primate who, by God’s providence, was called to bear the cross of leading the Church through the severe trials of revolutionary upheaval, civil war, and the beginning of brutal persecution against the faith.
Ascending the throne of the Primates of Moscow, Saint Tikhon foresaw the great weight of the cross being laid upon him, as witnessed by his own words:“How many tears must be shed and how many sighs must be uttered in the upcoming Patriarchal ministry!” (from the statement of Metropolitan Tikhon upon receiving news of his election). All of this came to pass, and the work of the Primate truly became for him the prophetic scroll inscribed with the dreadful words: “lamentation, and mourning, and woe”(Ezekiel 2:10).
The restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Church in the autumn of 1917 coincided with the rise to power of militant atheists who sought the total eradication of religious faith among the people and launched unprecedented persecutions against the Church of Christ. Boldly denouncing the crimes of the Bolsheviks, who carried out bloody reprisals, Saint Tikhon also testified: The Church does not bind itself forever to any particular form of governance, for such forms are of relative historical significance. The Church bears another calling — she is and must remain the conscience of the state.” (Homily on the commemoration of Holy Hieromartyr Patriarch Hermogenes, March 2, 1919).
With humility and meekness, combined with zeal for the work of God and fervor of spirit, His Holiness Tikhon fulfilled the ministry entrusted to him, pleading with his flock not to stray from the path of the Cross and to remain faithful to the Orthodox Church.
Only the Lord knows the heavy thoughts and deep sorrow that Patriarch Tikhon endured as he witnessed the collapse of old Russia and the destruction of Orthodox shrines. Only the Lord knows the fervent prayers that the saint lifted up for the flock entrusted to him, while in confinement at the Donskoy Monastery,effectively cut off from the actual governance of the Church. Yet, in all things revealing himself as a minister of God, in great endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses, in labors, in purity, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love (2 Corinthians 6:4-6), the saint was granted the crown of a confessor and became a shining example of courage and spiritual strength. (2 Corinthians 6:4-6), the saint was granted the crown of a confessor and became a shining example of courage and spiritual strength.
With special reverence, the Orthodox faithful flock to the honorable relics of Saint Tikhon, which are brought to cities and villages throughout Holy Rus’. This encounter with the holy relics strengthens us in our faith and gives us hope in the intercessory power of Saint Tikhon before God on behalf of our homeland and our people. We believe and trust that Saint Tikhon will hear the prayers of the faithful children of the Russian Church, for whom he tirelessly cared during his earthly life, and that now, standing before the Throne of the Almighty, he will not cease to intercede for us before God.
Let us lift up our fervent prayers to Saint Tikhon, that the faith of our people may not grow faint, and that, through the intercession of this glorious saint and zealous guardian of apostolic traditions, the Lord may bless our Church and country with peace and stillness (from the Troparion to the saint), strengthen us in keeping the commandments of the Gospel, and grant us courage to follow Christ the Savior.
By the intercession of Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, may the Merciful Lord preserve all of you, my beloved!
+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA