As a child, Saint Tikhon showed signs of his devotion to the gospel by giving to the poor all the loaves his father, a baker, had given him to sell in the market. When his father angrily confronted him about what he had done, the Saint simply assured him that they would see their recompense from the Lord. Sure enough, the next time they went into their storeroom, it was full of the wheat they used for baking. With such a natural inclination for almsgiving, it was no surprise that, after being made a Deacon, he was put in charge of distributing the Church’s goods. As a teacher of the Faith, he multiplied converts like the wheat in his barns. Such effective ministrations continued after he was made Bishop of Amathus, his argumentation fortified by miracles. One such feat was the casting out of demons by the grace of God. He continued this help for faithful even after death. One day, a family came to the Saint’s grave asking his intercession for their daughter who was possessed by a demon and had been rendered deaf and dumb. When nothing happened, they left, the parents accusing themselves of a failure to properly repent. At that moment, Saint Tikhon appeared and encouraged them to persist in their prayers. At that moment, the demon fled the child crying out that he cold not bear the Wonderworking Saint’s boldness before the Lord, and that had driven him out.
Hymnography
As a vessel of the Divine Spirit, O Hierarch, thou art an expeller of evil spirits, a cleanser of passions, and a healer of maladies.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The evil one availed not to shake the house of thy soul, O God-inspired Father; for thou truly stoniest on the rock of truth, made strong with divine might.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Adorned with the wisdom of God, arrived at the height of virtues, and being lowly of heart, O most sacred Tikhon, thou didst destroy the swollen conceit of the evil one by grace.
(Ode Six, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)
As it is written, a crown of graces was set upon thy divine head, O Father, when thou didst raise up the victory over the enemy and didst sing: O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
(Ode Seven, Three Troparion; Orthros Canon)
From childhood thou didst turn away from a childish mind, and with a mature understanding thou didst cast down the ancient inventor of evil, O Tikhon, as thou didst shout: O ye works, bless ye the Lord.
(Ode Eight, Fifth Troparion; Orthros Canon)