We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13
“Isidore was born in what is now called Brandenburg, which at the time was a major city in Prussia. The area was predominantly Roman Catholic, and it is possible that he was brought up in the Western faith. Whether he was born into Orthodoxy or was received at a later age, he left Prussia for more Orthodox regions when he was still a young man.
His parents were quite rich, but Isidore distributed all his wealth to the poor before becoming a pilgrim and wanderer. He traveled through many Orthodox lands before finally coming to Rostov in Russia. He decided to stay there and practice the difficult ascesis of being a fool for Christ.
Playing the fool was entirely voluntary for him. Isidore constructed a small hut made of brush in a marshy area of Rostov and spent his nights there. The hut was in no wise weatherproof and did nothing to protect him from the elements, especially from the bitter winter weather, but Isidore dwelt there nonetheless.
During the day, he would wander the streets of Rostov playing the fool and giving spiritual guidance to all who would listen… In the evenings, he would return to his hut and spend most of the night standing in prayer, petitioning the Lord in particular on behalf of those who had caused him offense during the day. He also prayed earnestly for those to whom he’d given spiritual advice. He allowed himself only a little sleep each night.”
Isidora of Rostov (fifteenth century) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 55-59.
These verses from the apostle Paul reminded me of Isidore. He lived basically homeless but lived for others, offering spiritual advice and praying and petitioning the Lord for them.
This comes into view as generosity in my thinking because he made this service not peripheral but central to his life and ministry. And notice that the idea of ascesis comes into view.
As I study these “fools for Christ” and learn consistent characteristics about each one, I get advice for living, giving, serving, and loving generously, and “foolishly” in the eyes of the world.
Join me. Let us make the choice, voluntarily to live differently, to offer spiritual advice to others when the world just wants selfish advice. Let’s pray for people.
I got home last night and got to see Jenni just briefly as she heads to Pennsylvania to impart wisdom and spiritual practices to the summer staff of Black Rock Retreat.
Some might call us foolish. But we find joy in serving as God opens doors. We think foolish would be to not make ourselves available for such powerful and impactful opportunities.