Hierarch Theophan the Recluse

St. Theophan the Recluse of Vysha (born Georgy Vasilyevich Govorov) was born on 10/23 January 1815 in the village of Chernavskoye, Elets district, Oryol province, into a priest's family. He graduated from the Oryol Seminary and the Kiev Theological Academy, taking monastic vows in 1841. He served as an inspector and rector of theological schools, as a member of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and as rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. In 1859 he was consecrated Bishop of Tambov, later heading the Vladimir diocese. In 1866 he retired to the Vysha Hermitage in the Tambov diocese, and from 1872 undertook a life of strict seclusion (zatvor) that continued until his death. During his seclusion he maintained an extensive spiritual correspondence and produced major ascetical writings, including the classic Russian translation of the Philokalia. He reposed on 6/19 January 1894 — the Feast of Theophany — at Vysha Hermitage; because his death fell on this great feast, the Church fixed his annual commemoration on 10/23 January instead, which is also his birth date. He was glorified as a saint by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on 6 June 1988. A secondary commemoration of the finding/translation of his relics is kept on 16/29 June.