Basil Fool for Christ
Vasily the Blessed, or Basil (known also as Vasily, fool for Christ; Vasily, Wonderworker of Moscow; or Blessed Vasily of Moscow, fool for Christ; Russian: Василий Блаженный, Vasily Blazhenny) is a Russian Orthodox saint of the type known as yurodivy or "holy fool".
Vasily the Blessed | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fool for Christ and Wonderworker | |
| Born | December 1468 Yelokhovo |
| Died | 2 August 1552 or 1557 (Aged 83 or 88) Moscow |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | 2 August 1588, Moscow by Patriarch Job of Moscow |
| Major shrine | Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow |
| Feast | 2 August (15 August N.S.) |
| Attributes | Dressed in rags, or completely naked |
Life
He was born to serfs in December 1468 at the portico of the Epiphany Cathedral at Yelokhovo (now in Moscow).[1] His father was named Jacob and his mother Anna.
Originally an apprentice shoemaker, he went to Moscow when he was sixteen. There he helped those who were ashamed to ask for alms, but were in need of help. He adopted an eccentric lifestyle of shoplifting and giving to the poor to shame the miserly and help those in need. He went naked and weighed himself down with chains. He rebuked Ivan the Terrible for not paying attention in church. Basil was said to have the gift of prophecy.[1]
When he died on August 2, 1552, or 1557, St. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow, served his funeral with many clergy. He is buried in St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, which was commissioned by Ivan for commemoration of his conquest of Kazan' and was named for the saint later. Vasily was formally canonised in 1588.[1] His feast day is celebrated on August 2 (August 15, N.S.).
See also
General sources
- Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-14-051312-4.
External links
- St Basil of Moscow Orthodox Icon and Synaxarion
- The Holy and Blessed Basil, "Fool for Christ" of Moscow from the Prologue from Ohrid