Khabarovsk (a port in Eastern Russia near the Chinese border), August 7, 2015
Secretary of the Amur Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, Dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Igumen Tikhon (Tyuryumin) was seriously injured in the road accident that occurred on the Khabarovsk-Komsomolsk motorway on August 5.
After the accident, Fr. Tikhon was taken to the Clinical Hospital No. 1 of Khabarovsk. According to the doctors, his condition is serious and he is currently in the intensive care unit, reports the Pravostok.ru portal.
According to eyewitnesses, at the scene of the accident Fr. Tikhon, with serious injuries (multiple rib fractures, hemathorax, a penetrating wound of the left eye, multiple contusions and abrasions on torso and extremities), nevertheless helped evacuate the injured passengers from the severely damaged buses.
On August 7 the clergy of the Khabarovsk Diocese visited the crash survivors at Clinical Hospital No. 1 of Khabarovsk in order to perform holy sacraments. On that day, 84-year-old Maria Ivanovna in the traumatic surgery department was baptized by Hieromonk Innocent (Mitin). In spite of her poor condition (she could hardly sit up on her bed), Maria Ivanovna rejoiced at her Baptism and was grateful for the kind attention.
According to the woman, “a bearded man” helped her get out of the bus after that terrible accident – it was Fr. Tikhon (Tyutyurin) from the Amur Diocese.
On that day a lady named Elena with her 6-year-old daughter Anastasia were given Holy Communion. Elena lost a close friend in that crash, while little Anastasia was not injured at all.
“It was because I was wearing a cross,” said Anastasia, addressing her mother. “I will never take it off again. And you, please, always wear it too.”
