Patriarch Aleksei Rediger of Moscow and all the Russias blessed the introduction into the Menaion of a new feastday in memory of Patriarch and New Martyr St Tikhon Bellavin of Moscow and all Russias (+1925) on 5/18 November, the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate reported. Up to now, there were two feast-days dedicated to Patriarch St Tikhon, his repose on 25 March/7 April, and the commemoration of his glorification on 9 October 1989. However, the commemoration of the repose of Patriarch St Tikhon is impossible as it coincides with the Great Feast of the Annunciation. Likewise, the serving of a separate service to St Tikhon is difficult on the date of his glorification as it coincides with the feastday of the Apostle and Evangelist St John the Theologian”, His Holiness noted. With the introduction into the Menaion of the new feastday in memory of Patriarch St Tikhon, on the anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal throne of Moscow and all the Russias, it’s now practical to celebrate a separate service in his honour. Patriarch and New Martyr St Tikhon Bellavin was the first hierarch elected to the Patriarchal throne of Moscow and all Russia after its restoration in 1917. During the years following the Revolution and the Civil War, he suffered for the faith under the repressive rule of the Bolsheviks, along with many other faithful Christians. He was glorified into the choir of the saints in 1989, and Orthodox Christians consider him the first amongst the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Land under the Communist Yoke.
18 January 2008
Interfax-Religion
Voices from Russia 
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