Tikhon de Zadonsk
1724-1783 18th century Feast day: August 13
Gentleness born of inner trial, and forgiveness given as one has received it.
Who was Tikhon de Zadonsk?
The son of a poor Russian sacristan, a bishop who withdrew early to the monastery of Zadonsk, he lived simply among the people. Prone to melancholy, he knew the inner night and made of it a path of compassion for the afflicted. His writings, notably True Christianity, join Gospel gentleness with the constant remembrance of eternity.
In their own words
Nothing so moves a sinner to repentance as eternity, and nothing is so useful to every Christian as the remembrance and contemplation of eternity.
Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbor, so also does God treat us.