The Ecumenical Patriarchate has officially canonized two profound elders of Athonite asceticism: St. Hadji-Georgis the Athonite and St. Tikhon the Athonite.
Their lives epitomize St. Augustine’s maxim: “Unless you believe, you will not understand.”
The lives of the two Athonite Elders
St. Hadji-Georgis (1809–1886)
Born Gabriel in Cappadocia, he was raised in a pious family. Despite struggling with literacy as a child, he received a miraculous blessing from the Virgin Mary, which granted him the divine grace to read and understand sacred texts instantly.
After years of ascetic labor on Mount Athos, where he became a renowned Elder (Gerondas) known for his gentleness and strict fasting, he faced unjust slander from fellow monks. This led to his exile from the Holy Mountain. He spent his final years in Constantinople, continuing his spiritual work and helping the suffering until his repose in 1886. He was buried at the Church of Zoodochos Pege in Baloukli.
St. Tikhon (1884–1968)
Born Timothy Golegof in Russia, he spent his youth visiting over 200 monasteries before settling on Mount Athos. Known for extreme asceticism, he lived in caves and remote cells (Karoulia and Kapsala), often eating only once a week and spending his nights in thousands of prostrations.
St. Tikhon became a spiritual father to many, most notably St. Paisios the Athonite, who served him in his final days. Witnesses recounted seeing him illuminated or levitating during prayer. He foresaw his own death following a vision of the Virgin Mary and reposed peacefully on September 10, 1968.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision to include these two monks in the Hagiologion recognizes their lifelong devotion to God. Both saints represent a tradition of extreme self-denial, constant prayer, and unwavering faith that continues to inspire the Orthodox world.
