Difference between revisions of "Fool-for-Christ"
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A saint who has the title '''Fool-for-Christ''' is one who is known for his apparent, yet holy, insanity. This title in Russian is ''Yurodivyi''. | A saint who has the title '''Fool-for-Christ''' is one who is known for his apparent, yet holy, insanity. This title in Russian is ''Yurodivyi''. | ||
| − | :''One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia.'' --(Excerpted from ''The Law of God'', Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993) | + | <blockquote>Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:18-19;&version=9; 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 KJV])</blockquote> |
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| + | <blockquote>''One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia.'' --(Excerpted from ''The Law of God'', Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993)</blockquote> | ||
Saint Andrew of Constantinople is considered to be the first such saint, although Saint Basil of Moscow is also widely known. | Saint Andrew of Constantinople is considered to be the first such saint, although Saint Basil of Moscow is also widely known. | ||
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{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
| − | ==Examples== | + | == Examples == |
| + | |||
A list of some of the Fools-for-Christ's sake: | A list of some of the Fools-for-Christ's sake: | ||
| − | *[[Anastasia Andretevna]], Fool-for-Christ ([[March 1]]) | + | * [[Anastasia Andretevna]], Fool-for-Christ ([[March 1]]) |
| − | *[[Blessed]] [[Andrew of Constantinople|Andrew the Fool-for-Christ of Constantinople]] ([[October 2]]) (d. 911) | + | * [[Blessed]] [[Andrew of Constantinople|Andrew the Fool-for-Christ of Constantinople]] ([[October 2]]) (d. 911) |
| − | + | ** [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102838 Blessed Andrew, Fool for Christ] | |
| − | + | ** [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102824 The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos] | |
| − | + | ** [http://www.standrewfoolforchrist.org/PatronSt.htm Saint Andrew, Fool-for-Christ - October 2/15] | |
| − | *Blessed Andrew of Totma, the Fool-for-Christ ([[October 10]]) | + | * Blessed Andrew of Totma, the Fool-for-Christ ([[October 10]]) |
| − | *Blessed Anthony Alexseevich, Fool-for-Christ of Zadonsk ([[September 29]] - repose of) (1851) | + | * Blessed Anthony Alexseevich, Fool-for-Christ of Zadonsk ([[September 29]] - repose of) (1851) |
| − | *Anthony Ivanovich, Fool-for-Christ of Valaam ([[June 7]] - repose of) (1832) | + | * Anthony Ivanovich, Fool-for-Christ of Valaam ([[June 7]] - repose of) (1832) |
| − | *[[Saint]] Arsenius of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ ([[May 8]]) | + | * [[Saint]] Arsenius of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ ([[May 8]]) |
| − | *Asenatha of Goritsky, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 19]] - repose of) (1892) | + | * Asenatha of Goritsky, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 19]] - repose of) (1892) |
| − | *Blessed Athanasius Adrewyevich of Orel, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 12]] - repose of) (1967) | + | * Blessed Athanasius Adrewyevich of Orel, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 12]] - repose of) (1967) |
| − | *Blessed [[Basil the Blessed|Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ]] ([[August 2]]) | + | * Blessed [[Basil the Blessed|Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ]] ([[August 2]]) |
| − | + | ** [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102185 Saint Basil the Blessed, Moscow Wonderworker] | |
| − | *Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal ([[October 2]]) | + | * Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal ([[October 2]]) |
| − | *Blessed George of Shenkursk, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 23]]) | + | * Blessed George of Shenkursk, Fool-for-Christ ([[April 23]]) |
| − | *Saint Isidore the Fool of Tabenna in Egypt ([[May 10]]) | + | * Saint Isidore the Fool of Tabenna in Egypt ([[May 10]]) |
| − | *[[Venerable]] Isidore the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Rostov ([[May 14]]) | + | * [[Venerable]] Isidore the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Rostov ([[May 14]]) |
| − | *Blessed [[John the Hairy|John "the Hairy"]] the Fool-for-Christ at Rostov ([[September 3]] and [[November 12]]) | + | * Blessed [[John the Hairy|John "the Hairy"]] the Fool-for-Christ at Rostov ([[September 3]] and [[November 12]]) |
| − | *Venerable John the Ascetic and Fool-for-Christ | + | * Venerable John the Ascetic and Fool-for-Christ |
| − | *Blessed John of Ustiug the Fool-for-Christ ([[March 14]] and [[May 29]] - repose of) (1893) | + | * Blessed John of Ustiug the Fool-for-Christ ([[March 14]] and [[May 29]] - repose of) (1893) |
| − | *Blessed John of Moscow, Miracle-worker and Fool-for-Christ ([[July 3]]) | + | * Blessed John of Moscow, Miracle-worker and Fool-for-Christ ([[July 3]]) |
| − | *Jonah, Fool-for-Christ of Peshnosha Monastery ([[June 15]] - repose of) (1838) | + | * Jonah, Fool-for-Christ of Peshnosha Monastery ([[June 15]] - repose of) (1838) |
| − | *Blessed Laurence the Fool-for-Christ at Kaluga ([[August 10]]) | + | * Blessed Laurence the Fool-for-Christ at Kaluga ([[August 10]]) |
<!-- fictional?? *Luke of Ephesus (11th C.) --> | <!-- fictional?? *Luke of Ephesus (11th C.) --> | ||
| − | *Blessed Maximus of Totma (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ ([[January 16]]) | + | * Blessed Maximus of Totma (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ ([[January 16]]) |
| − | *Venerable Maximus of Moscow the Fool-for-Christ ([[August 13]] - opening of his [[relics]]) | + | * Venerable Maximus of Moscow the Fool-for-Christ ([[August 13]] - opening of his [[relics]]) |
| − | *Venerable Michael the Fool-for-Christ of the Klops Monastery ([[January 11]]) ([[June 23]] - translation of his relics) | + | * Venerable Michael the Fool-for-Christ of the Klops Monastery ([[January 11]]) ([[June 23]] - translation of his relics) |
| − | *[[New-Martyr]] Michael (Misha), Fool-for-Christ ([[April 1]]) (1931) | + | * [[New-Martyr]] Michael (Misha), Fool-for-Christ ([[April 1]]) (1931) |
| − | *Blessed Michael and Thomas, Fools-for-Christ of Solvychegodsk (Vologda) ([[July 3]]) | + | * Blessed Michael and Thomas, Fools-for-Christ of Solvychegodsk (Vologda) ([[July 3]]) |
| − | *Blessed Nicholas of Salos of Pskov the Fool-for-Christ ([[February 28]]) | + | * Blessed Nicholas of Salos of Pskov the Fool-for-Christ ([[February 28]]) |
| − | *Blessed Nicholas Kochanov, Fool-for-Christ at Novgorod ([[July 27]]) | + | * Blessed Nicholas Kochanov, Fool-for-Christ at Novgorod ([[July 27]]) |
| − | *Blessed Paisius, Fool-for-Christ of the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Caves]] ([[April 17]] - repose of) (1893) | + | * Blessed Paisius, Fool-for-Christ of the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Caves]] ([[April 17]] - repose of) (1893) |
| − | *Blessed Parasceva "Pasha of Sarov," Fool-for Christ of Diveyevo Convent ([[September 22]]) (1915) | + | * Blessed Parasceva "Pasha of Sarov," Fool-for Christ of Diveyevo Convent ([[September 22]]) (1915) |
| − | + | ** [http://www.russianorthodox-roac.com/13.html Blessed Praskovya Ivanovna (Pasha of Sarov)] | |
| − | *Saint Paul, Fool-for-Christ ([[November 6]]) | + | * Saint Paul, Fool-for-Christ ([[November 6]]) |
| − | *Pelagia Ivanovna Serebrennikova | + | * Pelagia Ivanovna Serebrennikova |
| − | + | ** [http://www.storytellingmonk.org/ref/holy_sights/people/pelagia.htm Pelagia Ivanovna a.k.a. Pelagia the Holy Fool] | |
| − | + | ** [http://www.russianorthodox-roac.com/13.html Blessed Pelagia Ivanovna] | |
| − | *Blessed Procopius of Vyatka, Fool-for-Christ ([[December 21]]) | + | * Blessed Procopius of Vyatka, Fool-for-Christ ([[December 21]]) |
| − | *Saint Procopius the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Ustiug ([[July 8]]) | + | * Saint Procopius the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Ustiug ([[July 8]]) |
| − | *[[Righteous]] Procopius of Usya (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ ([[July 8]]) | + | * [[Righteous]] Procopius of Usya (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ ([[July 8]]) |
| − | *Venerable Symeon of Emesa the Fool-for-Christ ([[July 21]]) | + | * Venerable Symeon of Emesa the Fool-for-Christ ([[July 21]]) |
| − | *Blessed Simon of Yurievits, Fool-for-Christ ([[May 10]]) | + | * Blessed Simon of Yurievits, Fool-for-Christ ([[May 10]]) |
| − | *Blessed [[Theodore of Novgorod]], Fool-for-Christ ([[January 19]]) | + | * Blessed [[Theodore of Novgorod]], Fool-for-Christ ([[January 19]]) |
| − | *Saint Theodore, Fool-for-Christ ([[February 25]]) | + | * Saint Theodore, Fool-for-Christ ([[February 25]]) |
| − | *New-Martyr Theoktista Michailovna of Voronezh ([[February 22]]) (1936) | + | * New-Martyr Theoktista Michailovna of Voronezh ([[February 22]]) (1936) |
| − | *Blessed Schema-hieromonk Theophilus, Fool-for-Christ of the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Caves]] ([[October 28]] - repose of) (1852) | + | * Blessed Schema-hieromonk Theophilus, Fool-for-Christ of the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Caves]] ([[October 28]] - repose of) (1852) |
| − | *Saint Thomas the Fool of Syria ([[April 24]]) | + | * Saint Thomas the Fool of Syria ([[April 24]]) |
| − | *Saint [[Xenia of St. Petersburg]], Fool-for-Christ ([[January 24]]) | + | * Saint [[Xenia of St. Petersburg]], Fool-for-Christ ([[January 24]]) |
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Saint titles]] | ||
| − | == | + | == External Links and Sources == |
| − | |||
| − | + | * [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/subject/hd/fak7/hist/o1/logs/byzans-l/log.started960610/0124.html Fools for Christ] | |
| − | *[http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/subject/hd/fak7/hist/o1/logs/byzans-l/log.started960610/0124.html Fools for Christ] | + | ** [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/subject/hd/fak7/hist/o1/logs/byzans-l/log.started960610/ Re: Fools for Christ] scroll down for responses to ''Fools for Christ'' |
| − | + | * [http://www.roca.org/OA/105/105f.htm Orthodox America: Diveyevo’s Holy "Fools"] | |
| − | <!-- *[http://www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/fools.htm Fools for Nothingness: The atheist as failed saint: Antonin Artaud, Jean Genet and Fools for Christ] I am unsure as to whether this article is suitable for Orthodox readers. I would rather not lead someone astray, and would like guidance on this matter. ---> | + | * [http://www.unicorne.org/orthodoxy/articles/saints_icons/saints_new/blessedfools.htm Choir of all Blessed Fools-for-Christ's Sake and Miracle-Workers] |
| − | + | <!-- * [http://www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/fools.htm Fools for Nothingness: The atheist as failed saint: Antonin Artaud, Jean Genet and Fools for Christ] I am unsure as to whether this article is suitable for Orthodox readers. I would rather not lead someone astray, and would like guidance on this matter. ---> | |
| − | |||
[[Category:Saints]] | [[Category:Saints]] | ||
Revision as of 05:26, July 19, 2005
A saint who has the title Fool-for-Christ is one who is known for his apparent, yet holy, insanity. This title in Russian is Yurodivyi.
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19 KJV)
One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia. --(Excerpted from The Law of God, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993)
Saint Andrew of Constantinople is considered to be the first such saint, although Saint Basil of Moscow is also widely known.
This article or section is a stub (i.e., in need of additional material). You can help OrthodoxWiki by expanding it.
Examples
A list of some of the Fools-for-Christ's sake:
- Anastasia Andretevna, Fool-for-Christ (March 1)
- Blessed Andrew the Fool-for-Christ of Constantinople (October 2) (d. 911)
- Blessed Andrew of Totma, the Fool-for-Christ (October 10)
- Blessed Anthony Alexseevich, Fool-for-Christ of Zadonsk (September 29 - repose of) (1851)
- Anthony Ivanovich, Fool-for-Christ of Valaam (June 7 - repose of) (1832)
- Saint Arsenius of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ (May 8)
- Asenatha of Goritsky, Fool-for-Christ (April 19 - repose of) (1892)
- Blessed Athanasius Adrewyevich of Orel, Fool-for-Christ (April 12 - repose of) (1967)
- Blessed Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ (August 2)
- Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal (October 2)
- Blessed George of Shenkursk, Fool-for-Christ (April 23)
- Saint Isidore the Fool of Tabenna in Egypt (May 10)
- Venerable Isidore the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Rostov (May 14)
- Blessed John "the Hairy" the Fool-for-Christ at Rostov (September 3 and November 12)
- Venerable John the Ascetic and Fool-for-Christ
- Blessed John of Ustiug the Fool-for-Christ (March 14 and May 29 - repose of) (1893)
- Blessed John of Moscow, Miracle-worker and Fool-for-Christ (July 3)
- Jonah, Fool-for-Christ of Peshnosha Monastery (June 15 - repose of) (1838)
- Blessed Laurence the Fool-for-Christ at Kaluga (August 10)
- Blessed Maximus of Totma (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ (January 16)
- Venerable Maximus of Moscow the Fool-for-Christ (August 13 - opening of his relics)
- Venerable Michael the Fool-for-Christ of the Klops Monastery (January 11) (June 23 - translation of his relics)
- New-Martyr Michael (Misha), Fool-for-Christ (April 1) (1931)
- Blessed Michael and Thomas, Fools-for-Christ of Solvychegodsk (Vologda) (July 3)
- Blessed Nicholas of Salos of Pskov the Fool-for-Christ (February 28)
- Blessed Nicholas Kochanov, Fool-for-Christ at Novgorod (July 27)
- Blessed Paisius, Fool-for-Christ of the Kiev Caves (April 17 - repose of) (1893)
- Blessed Parasceva "Pasha of Sarov," Fool-for Christ of Diveyevo Convent (September 22) (1915)
- Saint Paul, Fool-for-Christ (November 6)
- Pelagia Ivanovna Serebrennikova
- Blessed Procopius of Vyatka, Fool-for-Christ (December 21)
- Saint Procopius the Fool-for-Christ and Wonder-worker of Ustiug (July 8)
- Righteous Procopius of Usya (Vologda), Fool-for-Christ (July 8)
- Venerable Symeon of Emesa the Fool-for-Christ (July 21)
- Blessed Simon of Yurievits, Fool-for-Christ (May 10)
- Blessed Theodore of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ (January 19)
- Saint Theodore, Fool-for-Christ (February 25)
- New-Martyr Theoktista Michailovna of Voronezh (February 22) (1936)
- Blessed Schema-hieromonk Theophilus, Fool-for-Christ of the Kiev Caves (October 28 - repose of) (1852)
- Saint Thomas the Fool of Syria (April 24)
- Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool-for-Christ (January 24)
See also
External Links and Sources
- Fools for Christ
- Re: Fools for Christ scroll down for responses to Fools for Christ
- Orthodox America: Diveyevo’s Holy "Fools"
- Choir of all Blessed Fools-for-Christ's Sake and Miracle-Workers
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