Saint Theophan, born George Vasilyevich Govorov, entered the world in 1815 in the Oryol Governorate, the son of a village priest. His mother, also from a priestly family, was known for her gentle nature, meekness, and a loving heart. George was raised in an atmosphere of Christian love and devotion to the Church.
Even as a child, he displayed exceptional purity of mind, modesty, and sensitivity. At the age of eight, he entered a religious school. Six years later, as one of the top students, he transferred to the Oryol Seminary. He then went on to study at the Kiev Theological Academy. The young student frequently visited the Kiev Caves Lavra, which he called “a heavenly abode.”
In his final year at the academy, George resolved to dedicate his life entirely to serving the Church as a monk. In the winter of 1841, he received monastic tonsure, taking the name Theophan. That summer, he was ordained a hieromonk.
Thus began his career in education and spiritual formation. He first served as rector of the Kiev-Sophia Theological School and later as inspector of the Novgorod Seminary. Three years later, he transferred to the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy, where he held the Chair of Moral and Pastoral Theology.
Wherever he served, his kindness, extraordinary tact, and gentleness left a lasting imprint on students, seminarians, and fellow teachers. He believed that educators should be of the “purest, God-chosen, and holy” kind.
Though deeply committed to Christian education, Hieromonk Theophan felt drawn to the solitary life of a monk. In 1847, he became a member of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. His six years in the Holy Land were a period of immense spiritual and moral growth. Tirelessly, he studied the writings of the ancient Church Fathers, explored the lives of early ascetics, and immersed himself in the liturgical practices of ancient Eastern monasteries and Mount Athos. The young ascetic forged close bonds with the Athonite elders. However, the Crimean War erupted in 1854, forcing the recall of the entire Ecclesiastical Mission to Russia.
In recognition of his dedicated service in Jerusalem, Hieromonk Theophan was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
Archimandrite Theophan journeyed back from the Holy Land and became rector of the Olonets Theological Seminary. Simultaneously, he preached far and wide. He illuminated the dangers of the burgeoning church schisms: the Danilovschina, the Filipovschina, vagrancy, and other divisive movements.
During the 1850s, tensions arose between Greece and Bulgaria. Archimandrite Theophan was sent to Constantinople as the rector of the Russian Embassy Church to investigate the underlying causes of this conflict. He witnessed a distressing decline in the spiritual life of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, its episcopate, and the entire Church in that region.
In Constantinople, Archimandrite Theophan also engaged in extensive charitable work. He played a key role in establishing a hospital for Russian sailors and pilgrims.
By God’s divine providence, Archimandrite Theophan ascended to the role of Bishop of Tambov and Shatsk. His episcopal ministry lasted only four years, but during this time, he endeared himself to his flock and won universal love. Under his guidance, parish schools sprouted across the land, and Sunday schools flourished. A diocesan school for women opened its doors, along with schools teaching literacy to the laity. His sermons drew large crowds, and he became a beloved father figure to all.
Yearning for a hermit’s life, in 1866 Bishop Theophan requested release from his episcopal duties. He moved to the Vysha Hermitage, a place he had grown fond of, and embraced the life of a recluse. He limited his contact with the outside world to a very small circle of people.
In his secluded dwelling, he established a small chapel where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Initially, he served on Sundays and feast days, but in the final years of his earthly life, he celebrated the Liturgy daily.
In addition to prayer, he devoted much of his time to reading and theological writing. He translated the Philokalia into Russian, a monumental task that made this collection of ascetic texts accessible to a wider audience. Saint Theophan left behind a rich spiritual inheritance, guiding the faithful in their pursuit of salvation.
