Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
“The exact date and place of Prokopiy’s birth are not known, but he was a foreigner (most likely a German) of Roman Catholic confession. As a merchant, he traded often in Novgorod, where he was exposed to the beauty of Holy Orthodoxy…
Though he had acquired substantial wealth as a merchant, once his heart was converted he chose to give away all his possessions to the poor and became a monk at the Varlaam of Khutyn Monastery near Novgorod. Word spread throughout the city of this rich foreigner who divested himself of all his great wealth…
His name grew to be highly praised among the people, but such acclaim displeased Prokopiy, as he knew this would tempt him to pride and vainglory. He believed that the people should direct their praise only to God.
So, after a time he left the monastery and relocated to Ustyug, where no one knew him, and took up the difficult podvig of being a fool for Christ… There in Ustyug, Prokopiy endeavored to conquer pride and adopt true humility.
Possessing nothing but three wooden staffs, he wandered barefoot and poorly clad through the city streets in both summer and winter… The local citizens misunderstood him, and they would daily mock, insult, spit upon, and sometimes even beat him as he walked about.
At night he would spend much time in prayer, supplicating especially for those who had abused him during the day, echoing the words of the Savior, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Prokopiy of Ustyug (c.1243-1303) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 109-113.
I only have two more Holy Fools left after today. I hope you have enjoyed this 20 day exploration.
I want to comment on two themes I see from all of them. First, they chose a path that was so countercultural that they suffered derision. Second, they supplicated by night. They prayed at night for those who did not understand their radical obedience by day.
Father in heaven, help us live so radically different that people will think we are crazy. And by night, help us pray for those who label us with such words that they will see your love through us. In your mercy, hear my prayer for us in the name of Jesus. Amen.