St. Theophan the Recluse, Bishop of Tambov

St. Theophan was born George Gogorov in 1814 in the village of Chernavsk, where his father was a priest. He attended Kiev Theological Seminary from 1837-1841, and was tonsured a monastic while a student there. After graduating, he spent much of the next 25 years involved with education - establishing schools, teaching, and administrating. In 1859, he was consecrated Bishop of Tambov; in 1863 he was transferred to Vladimir. He established a diocesan school for girls in both cities.

In 1866 Bishop Theophan was granted release from his episcopal duties, and was appointed as Superior of the Vysha Monastery near Tambov, a position he soon resigned, though he remained at the Monastery. In 1872 he began to live in near-total seclusion (regularly interacting only with his confessor), and served Liturgy in a small chapel adjoining his room rather than joining the brethren in church. He devoted his time to prayer, writing, iconography, carpentry, and answering letters.

St. Theophan reposed in 1894 and was laid to rest in the Kazan church of Vysha Monastery.