Saint Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone To the new world sent forth as a shepherd of the flock, thou wast called back to the old, to take up the Cross as a staff and from wolves and faithless shepherds to defend the Church; and after thee, the sheep of Christ knew no shepherd to be true who kept not thy good confession, wherein, O Tikhon, preserve us unharmed throughout our earthly pilgrimage. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone The most holy Patriarch, ven'rable Tikhon, the Confessor of the Faith, hath gained from Christ the crown of life; for he did labour with godly zeal and strove till death in defence of the Church of Christ.