Color for the day is to be white
American Missal (AM) Western rite Supplement for the Feast

Preaching points: 

Here are several interconnected points that you can use as the foundation for your sermon on the feast of St. Tikhon of Moscow. As you develop your message, consider how these themes not only illuminate his life and legacy but also speak to the challenges and hopes of our own spiritual journeys.

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1. The Christ-Like Humility of a Servant Leader

• Key Point: St. Tikhon exemplified humility throughout his life. Despite rising to the position of Patriarch, he remained modest, caring deeply for each soul rather than seeking personal glory.
• Application: Challenge the congregation to adopt a life of humble service. Reflect on how true leadership is found in self-sacrifice and in putting the needs of others first—a call that resonates deeply in our modern world.

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2. Faith Amidst Trials and Turbulence

• Key Point: Born into a time of profound change and upheaval, St. Tikhon faced political and spiritual storms with unwavering trust in God. His steadfast faith during periods of persecution and societal disruption serves as a powerful example for us.
• Application: Encourage your listeners to draw strength from their faith during modern challenges, reminding them that even in times of uncertainty, God’s grace sustains us. Invite them to reflect on personal trials and how God’s light can guide them through adversity.

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3. Pastoral Love and Compassion

• Key Point: Throughout his ministry, St. Tikhon reached out with compassion—whether ministering to the faithful of Russia or pioneering Orthodox outreach in North America. His life was a testament to the transformative power of ministering to the suffering and marginalized.
• Application: Inspire a renewed commitment within the congregation to act as agents of compassion in their communities. Emphasize how small acts of kindness and a listening heart can extend Christ’s love to those in need.

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4. The Role of the Church as a Beacon of Light

• Key Point: St. Tikhon’s work in establishing and nurturing the Orthodox Church across different cultures teaches us that the Church must remain a source of hope and steadfast tradition amid a changing world.
• Application: Reflect on the Church’s mission today. Challenge your community to be a luminous presence in society—providing spiritual guidance, living out the sacraments authentically, and standing as a moral anchor in a world searching for direction.

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5. Living a Life Anchored in Orthodox Spirituality

• Key Point: The devotional life of St. Tikhon—rooted in prayer, service, and the liturgical tradition—offers a time-tested model for spiritual growth and resilience.
• Application: Invite the congregation to deepen their own spiritual disciplines. Whether through increased participation in the Eucharist, personal prayer, or acts of charity, encourage each person to allow the light of Orthodoxy to guide their daily choices and interactions.

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6. Embracing the Call to Evangelization and Renewal

• Key Point: One of St. Tikhon’s most enduring legacies is his role in extending the reach of Orthodoxy beyond familiar territories, showing that the Gospel transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.
• Application: Urge your listeners to consider how they can be ambassadors of the Word in their spheres of influence. Whether through open dialogue, hospitality toward strangers, or supporting missions and educational endeavors, remind them that each effort to share Christ’s love contributes to the renewal of the world.

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Concluding Challenge

Wrap up your sermon by asking, "In what ways can we, as modern disciples, reflect the humility, resilience, and compassionate outreach of St. Tikhon?" Invite your congregation to see his feast not only as a remembrance of a great saint but as a living call to imitate his virtues—transforming personal trials into stepping stones toward a deeper, more active Christian witness.

Each of these points provides a lens through which to view both the historical impact of St. Tikhon and the personal transformation available to every believer. As you prepare your sermon, consider weaving in anecdotes or scriptural reflections that connect his life to everyday experiences, thus calling each listener to embrace their role in the ongoing story of the Church.