Nicholas of Novgorod: Piety and Absurdity

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

“Like a number of other fools for Christ who abandoned all worldly goods and honor, Nicholas was born into a wealthy and distinguished family of Novgorod. From his earliest days, he was noted for being exceptionally devoted to Christ, attending services regularly, and with great joy and eagerness embracing fasting and prayer.

As other observed his inestimable piety, he began receiving praise and commendations from his fellow citizens. He did not desire this because he wanted all praise to go to God, not to himself, as he saw such adulation as a gateway to pride and downfall. To avoid temptation to vainglory, Nicholas turned to the challenging practice of foolishness for the Lord’s sake.

Though of wealthy estate, he began wandering the city dressed in rags, even in the bitterly cold winters. The citizens of Novgorod perceived him as a beggar and vagrant and often subjected him to mockery, insults, and even beatings. All these Nicholas bore with patience and forgiveness in his heart, and he considered it a blessing to be persecuted for the Lord’s sake.

During the time Nicholas lived in Novgorod, the city was divided in strife between two quadrants. The Torgov quarter and the Sophia quarter. For some reason there wwas a great rivalry between these tow parts of Novgorod, and the populace engaged in trifling disputes and quarreling.

As it happened, there was another fool for Christ in Novgorod contemporary with Nicholas, a man named Theodore. In order to demonstrate to the people the absurdity of the endless squabbles with which they antagonized one another, Nicholas and Theodore feigned being mortal enemies who could not be reconciled.”

Nicholas of Novgorod (d. 1592) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 87-88.

Today we get a bonus saint. We learn from Nicholas and Theodore about piety and absurdity. This seems fitting for me as I spend special time with my friend, John Stanley. Two saints encouraging each other to live, give, serve, and love both foolishly and generously.

Nicholas and Theodore were known for their piety. And I learn something deep by watching how they tried to demonstrated to the people the absurdity of their behavior. Sometimes as fools for Christ we need to help people see what God sees but what they don’t see. Ponder that.

Most people pursue wealth. Fools pursue God. Most people want to give glory to people with piety. Fools shun the spotlight. Most people fight for their rights and want things to go their way. Fools try to help people see the error in their ways. God help us be generous fools for you. Amen!

And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

“Nikolai was born Nikolai Matveevich Rynin on 22 May 1777 in Vologda, Russia. Born into a wealthy merchant family, Nicholai was taught to read and write by his parents and from his youth desired to serve God and his fellow man. As he reached the age of majority, he rejected wealth and gave away his portion of his inheritance to the poor. He went around Vologda dressed as a beggar and lived off charity.

Nicholai spent his days attending services at various churches throughout the city, and at night he spent his time in solitude and prayer, generally in some place where on one could find him. Later he began to roam from city to city, spending time not only in Vologda but also in Kadnikov and Totma. He is remembered for always wearing a white shirt and a blue canvas balakhon (a kind of loose overall), a long white shirt, and leather straps on his legs.

He almost always carried a large staff and he walked and would go hatless in both winter and summer, though sometimes he would tie a towel around his head in bitter cold. Nicholai’s voice was said to be very husky, gravelly, and even garbled, but like the prophets of old, his speech typically carried special meaning, the significance of which would sometimes not be revealed until later…

Nicholai carried with him various things he would give to those whom he encountered, always providing items of special significance for their particular situation. To a hungry person he would give food, to someone experiencing grief he might give coal, to others bread, and for the children always sweets. He was a great friend to children and was much loved by them.

Nicholai maintained the heart of a child throughout his life. Thought he could be strict in his counsel to adults who practiced unrighteousness, he was very kind to all children and they generally followed him about with purity of heart.

Nikolai of Vologda (1777-1837) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 83-85.

This guy lived with intentionality toward others and hospitality toward children. That’s my two-part takeaway from his example. And what a good set of takeaways!

He dressed simply, ministered to the needs of people, and always had something sweet for children. I notice something in these two traits especially as I too have a prophetic ministry.

It can be easy for a prophet to lose childlike faith when engaging adults practicing unrighteousness. Not Nicholai. And that’s part of why I like to spend time with my friend, John.

Regardless of the craziness of life and people, John (with whom I am staying in Wisconsin this week), like Nicholai, exhibits consistency, faithfulness, and humility with his intentional living.

I want to encourage you to block time every year to spend with a holy fool for Christ. Spend time with him or her and like the children in Nicholai’s story, follow “with purity of heart.”

You will grow closer to God. You will learn how to make every day count with special meaning and significance. And you will maintain your childlike faith and hospitality toward children in the process.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:15

“The loves of most fools for Christ tend to be somewhat mysterious, but that of Michael of Klops Monastery is exceptionally enigmatic.

As Matins [Midhnight prayer] was being served in Klops Monastery on 23 June 1408. Hieromonk Macarius censed the church and the nearby cells, which included his own. As he approached his cell, he noticed that the door was open, and insight at his desk sat a man dressed as a monastic busily copying the Acts of the Apostles. Not recognizing the man, Macarius hastened to tell the abbot and the other brethren about this mysterious guest.

When they came to the cell, the stranger was still sitting calmly, copying from the Scriptures. When they asked who he was, they were answered only with the same question. The brothers assumed the man to be a simpleminded fool who somehow had managed to sneak into the monastery qnd unlock Macarius’ cell door – though they never learned how he had accomplished either task.

Though perceived as a fool, the stranger was able to chant and read eloquently during the Divine Liturgy and from the lives of the saint during meals. He was given a cell and participated in the life and worship of the monastery, but every attempt to learn who he was and where he came from was unsuccessful. He was strict in fasting and prayer, and he kept nothing in his cell – not even a mat for sleeping.

Observing his virtuous behavior, the monks honored him as a very holy individual; but in order not to allow this honor to lead to pride, the stranger adopted foolish behavior in everything he did. It wasn’t until the famousPrince Constantine Dmitrievich visited the monastery that the monks learned the identity of their holy fool. They asked the stranger to read from the book of Job during mealtime, and Prince Constantine seemed to recognize his voice.

Coming closer to examine the unknown reader, the prince suddenly boweed to the stranger and announced that he was non other than his own kinsman, Michael Maximovich. When asked why he had not revealed his identity, Michael replied, “Ony the Creator knows me and who I am.” Once they learned of his noble blood, the monks began to show greater honor to Michael, but this was something he wished to avoid. Thus he began increasing his struggles in foolishness, setting a great example to his brethren in all monastic work, vigils, and prayer.”

Michael of Klops Monastery (fifteenth century) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 77-81.

The more I study this holy fool, the more he reminds me of Jesus. Notice that Jesus did not come wrapped in royalty but appeared in poverty. He did not announce his identity to command respect and honor. He showed love and pointed people to the way of life.

Jesus was the living Word and Michael was found copying the Word, reading the Word, and loving others as it taught, following the example of Christ. I love how Michael, following the mysterious and enigmatic example of Jesus did not advertise his nobility but demonstrated it. Ponder that.

What if, like Jesus and Michael we don’t give ourselves to advertising our faith but give our energies to demonstrating it? We would likely appear mysterious and enigmatic, as most people advertise what they are doing. His example spoke for itself and inspired others. May we do likewise.

I am flying to Wisconsin today through Sunday to spend time with a spiritual friend, John Stanley. I will live in his guest house and eat from his table. We will share conversations about living in mysterious and enigmatic ways and do a little fly fishing. I do this every June as a spiritual retreat.

Pray with me that we both grow as holy fools as a result.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

“Maria’s mother died when she was thirteen and her father a year later, so that she was orphaned by age fourteen. At first she was taken in by her eldest brother’s family, but the sister-in-law did not like her and made her life very difficult. This was partly because Maria had been “different” from early childhood, very much a loner who did not play with other children but preferred going to church and never engaging in community frivolities. She also preferred dressing in worn out clothes and tended toward being unkempt in appearance.

She is said to have received visions of St. Seraphim of Sarov and of the Diveyevo Monastery from her youth although she had not yet been to the monastery. When a group of women and girls from the village decided to go on a pilgrimage to Sarov, Maria elected to join them. Because of her unenviable home life and the visions she had received, she chose not to return to the village at the end of the pilgrimage but instead wandered the forests between Diveyevo’s surrounding communities. Having nothing but the shabby clothing she had worn on the journey, she soon wandered about half naked and was often mocked and mistreated by local peasants who thought her mad…

Despite all the tragedies, hardships, and persecutions she faced, no one ever heard Maria complain or bewail her state. God was her solace and comfort, and He graced her with a special intuition. People began to notice her great humility and godliness and often would seek her out for counsel and guidance… Maria received a steady stream of people during the trying time of the Russian Revolution, many coming to her for physical healing and many more for spiritual counseling and prayer.”

Maria of Diveyevo (d. 1931) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 71-75.

The apostle Paul called us to live not according to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That’s the story of Maria of Diveyevo. She focused on spiritual things when others cared about community frivolities. In response, God helped her see things, visions, and so she pursued Him with her whole heart.

At first people scorned her. Then because of her great humility and godliness, people started to seek her out. Then in the most difficult times, she provided healing, counseling, and prayer. What can we learn from her example to serve as generous fools for Christ today? At least three things.

One, don’t follow the pattern of the world but care about the things of God. Be different. Different is good.

Two, if He gives you a vision, give yourself to that vision regardless of what others might think. Pursue Him despite mocking and mistreatment. Care more about your inner person than your external dress. Look different.

Three, provide counsel and care to receptive people. When they come for healing, guidance, or prayer, bless them generously from the abundance you have received from God. Serve different.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

“Lyubov was an invalid, unable to walk or stand. Though bedridden, she was a cheerful child who by her sanguine countenance brought light into her poor mother’s life. Maria taught Lyubov how to pray and to read and write, and the young girl delighted in prayer and in reading spiritual books…

One day when she was fifteen and alone in the house, God sent a messenger who said, rise and walk and become a fool for Christ. Miraculously, Lyubov got up and out of bed and stood on her own. When her mother returned home, she was ecstatic to see her crippled daughter standing, completely healed of her long infirmity…

Able to walk now, Lyubov began praying in all the churches in Ryazan… Lyubov never ceased from praying for all those around her… She cared greatly for all the people and was known for her generosity and kindheartedness. One unusual thing Lyubov did was to go into shops in Ryazan and gather items to give to the needy.

She always knew exactly what each recipient would need, and she would collect only what was necessary… Since Lyubov herself was among the poorest in Ryazan, people sometimes would give her things to help meet her needs, be it food or clothing or other helpful items.

She would accept these gifts with deep gratitude, but within hours should would give them away to someone more needy… Being of a cheerful nature, Lyubov’s apparel reflected her buoyant spirit. She always dressed plainly but in bright colors. Her favorite color was pink, and he frequently would be seen wearing a pink scarf on her head.”

Lyubov of Ryazan (1852-1921) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 65-69.

This little Lyubov inspired me today. Notice her story of healing. God raise her up from impossible circumstances. In response, she served as a person of prayer who offered generous care to others.

If we use our imagination, we can picture her lifting people up with her love. Then when it said she dressed simply in bright colors and had a buoyant spirit, I smiled. Of course, she did!

How would people describe your appearance, your spirit? How would they describe your life and patterns of service? What do you want people to say in answer to these questions?

I am home and one spiritual practice at home is tending to our garden. I picked some basil this weekend and shared them four neighbors. Soon other herbs will be ready to share too. I am excited to share.

As I explore these fools for Christ, I find their ordinary, disciplined living is what gave them extraordinary impact. Let’s go be ordinary today, but wear bright colors and have a buoyant spirit to lift others up!

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

“Like John the Forerunner to Jesus, John of Ustyug was born to two elderly parents who had long prayed for a child. Also like his eponym, John demonstrated from his youth a desire to lead a godly life.

John practiced strict fasting even while still a child, eating nothing on Wednesdays and Fridays and only bread and water the rest of the week. When his mother asked him why he observed so strict a fasting rule, he replied that he wanted to avoid feeding his flesh so that it would become his enemy and tempt him from following Christ.

At some point in his early life, the family moved from Ustyug to Orlets, but shortly after John’s father died. His mother entered Holy Trinity Convent, where young John was allowed to live with her the rest of his childhood. While there, John continued his strict fasting and began practicing the discipline of silence. Seeing his unusual devotion, his mother left him to God’s will to do as he saw fit in his struggle.

After gaining his majority, John returned to Ustyug and took up residence in a small hut that a devout friend had built for him next to the Dormition Church. It was after his return to Ustyug that John increased his struggles and took up the difficult challenge of being a fool for Christ.

He began wandering the streets of Ustyug during the day wearing only a long shirt that was tied about his waist with a rope… He allowed himself to become the object of much derision and abuse by the townsfolk, but at night he would frequently remain awake all night in prayer, praying especially for those who had abused him during the day.”

John of Ustyug (d. 1494) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 61-63.

If you read the Didache (the early church discipleship manual) on fasting, it reads as follows: “Be careful not to schedule your fasts at the times when the hypocrites fast. They fast on Monday and Thursday, therefore make your fast on Wednesday and Friday.

This tradition prevailed through church history that the days followers of Jesus fasted were Wednesday and Friday. Perhaps that might be a discipline for all of us to adopt with the first Christians and fools for Christ like John of Ustyug.

This bloke took his podvig, his ascesis, to a new level. He did not just pray for those he helped. He prayed by night for those who abused him by day. I have much room for growth in this area.

My human tendency is to avoid people who wrong me, to stay away from them, not pray for them. And I don’t fast weekly. I do it periodically. Perhaps this can help my own mortification of the flesh.

Why study these saints? We find clues like fasting, praying for oppressors, and other disciplines to help us increase our generous impact on those around us. God help us do this on this Lord’s day and throughout this new month!

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.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

“One of the earliest recorded practitioners of the ascesis of foolishness for Christ’s sake is Isidora of Tabenna. She lived in the fourth century in the monastery of Tabenna in Egypt… Feigning insanity, Isidora was largely despised by the 400 nuns at the monastery and was relegated to performing the most menial tasks…

Isidora did not wear a traditional cowl, but instead she covered her head only with an old rag. Whatever task she was asked to do, she did with all her might, maintaining always the spirit of Christ in everything she put her hands to. Even when she suffered abuse from the sisters she served – which she often did – Isidora never once was heard to complain or become angry. The sisters considered her insane or demon-possessed and refused even to eat with her, not understanding Isidora’s desire to fulfill the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:18…

A number of miles away in the Porphyrite desert there dwelt a holy anchorite by the name of Pitirim… Sometimes he was tempted by pride to consider himself superior to others. One day an angel appeared to him and said, “What makes you think your struggles are so excellent? Would you like to see a woman more devout than yourself? Go to the women’s monastery in Tabenna, and you will find a nun wearing a rag on her head. She is superior to you because she gives herself up to struggle in the midst of people; she serves everyone and though everyone mocks and reviles her, she has never looked away from God with her heart. But you, sitting here in the desert, are sinning with your thoughts in the city.”

Humbled by these words, Pitirim abandoned his life of solitude and went to the Tabenna monastery so he could meet this holy woman the angel had proclaimed. When he arrived, he was allowed to enter in (an unusual occurrence since typically men were not allowed inside a woman’s monastery, but because of his great holiness and his old age he was welcomed). Once he entered, he asked that all the nuns be gathered together. Obediently, they all assembled before him – all except for Isidora. But Pitirim said that there must be others since he had not seen the woman “with a crown on her head.” The sisters told him that all were there, and that the only one absent was Isidora, who was in the kitchen. “But she is a fool,” they said. Nonetheless, Pitirim asked htme to bring her to him.

The sisters had to bring Isidora from the kitchen forcibly, but as she entered the room Pitirim could se with his spiritual sight that she was the one wearing not a rag but a splendid crown on her head. Pitirim fell prostrate at her feet and said, “Bless me, Amma!” In turn, Isidora fell at Pitirim’s feet and asked instead for his blessing. The sisters were shocked to see the famous and holy Pitirim behave in such a manner, and they said to him, “Father do not let her deceive you. She is only a fool.” “You are the fools,” Pitirim replied. “She is mother of me and of you all. I pray that I might be found worthy of her on the Day of Judgment.”

Isidora of Tabenna (1929-1995) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 51-53.

Today’s post continues on the theme of humility from yesterday and adds ascesis to the mix. What does ascesis mean? It means choosing a lifestyle of extreme self-discipline that often runs contrary to common cultural or worldly patterns.

While I travel, people look at me as a some famous holy man. But I am nothing more than Pitirim. I am brought low by many of the humble people I serve around the world. I am serious. Perhaps you can relate?

As I read this post, I said to myself, “I go to counties like Colombia to bless people, and I find that God turns the tables. I meet such amazing saints that I need to ask them to bless me.”

I find tremendously godly and humble people in some of the hardest places. Together we have accomplished much here. And it’s time for me to go home. Thanks for your prayers for safe and uneventful travel.

If you do not already receive my trip reports, reply if you want a copy of my report from Colombia. Regardless, ask God what ascesis He might be calling you to or what lifestyle of extreme self-discipline.

And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“Although twelve-year-old Vasiko came to be highly respected by his neighbors for deep devotion and spiritual gifts, his mother attempted to discourage his religiosity. Knowing what kinds of persecution he would likely face and also being “disturbed” by his strange behavior as a child, she insistently pleaded with him to abandon his faith and be like the other boys his age. At one point she became so distraught that she threw his Gospel book into the toilet.

But Vasiko hastily retrieved it and pressed it close to his breast, weeping sorrowfully. The episode forced the young saint to make a life-changing decision. Late that same night, he crept out of his house and began walking. After several days he arrived at Samtavro Convent in Mtskheta. Over the next few weeks, he took refuge in various monasteries, eventually settling for a time in Bethany Monastery where two monks, George and John, became his favorite confessors…

When Vasiko turned 20 in 1949, he was called for mandatory military service, to which he dutifully submitted. But even while in service surrounded by atheists and anti-religion zealots he maintained his faith, often sneaking away whenever possible to visit holy sites near where he was deployed. Eventually the military discovered his faith, and after they dismissed him from service he was declared mentally ill (because communists thought only a mentally ill person would believe in God). He returned home and built a small chapel in his backyard.

He wished to enter a monastery – of which there were but few remaining open – but the communist government made entry into monastic life an exceedingly difficult proposition. Finally, in 1954 he entered the Kutaisi Motsameta Monastery and was tonsured a monk with the name Gabriel… The incident in Gabriel’s life that is perhaps best known throughout the world, both secularly and within the Church, occurred in 1965 during the May Day celebration of the Soviet might. May 1 happened to fall on Holy Saturday that year, and a great parade preceded through the streets immediately after Gabriel had just served the divine liturgy.

As he walked along the street, he saw a giant, 26-foot picture of Vladimir Lenin adorning the building with the caption “Glory to Great Lenin.” Gabriel walked up the giant picture and set it on fire. He then turned to the astonished crowd and began preaching to them, warning them that they were bowing down before idols and that glory belongs not to the corpse of Lenin but to the conqueror of death, Jesus Christ…

Gabriel was greatly troubled when people elevated him. Perhaps because of that, he resolved around this time, to adapt wholeheartedly to the podvig of a fool for Christ… In the last years of his life, Gabriel spoke principally of the necessity of loving God and one’s neighbor, for “God is love. Do as much good as you can… Be humble, for God sheds His grace on the humble. Love one another, for without love no person will enter the doors of Paradise.”

Gabriel of Mtskheta (1929-1995) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 41-48.

I love it when I can say I am a contemporary of a saint like Gabriel. That means our lives overlapped. We walked the earth at the same time in different places.

Gabriel lived in a hard, Lenin-loving situation. He did not allow that to intimidate him or keep him from pointing those around him to faith in Jesus.

In his case, generous service came into view as doing as much good as he could in the place where God put him, despite the risk of persecution.

And what seemed to protect him on the way was his commitment to doing good with humility. When we maintain a posture of humility, God gives grace and protect us.

What about you? Are you choosing the path of the podvig and doing what you can? How can you cloth yourself with humility in a greater way to experience the grace and protection of God?

Part of what I love about today’s post is that all of us, regardless of our age or station, can grow in humility. May God help us do this to strengthen our generous impact.

Today marks the last all day event in Colombia, Stations of Generosity, in Bogotá. Pray for the transformation of participants and for many to replicate it in Colombia and Venezuela for God’s glory.

The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. And he went with them.

They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:1-7

“In 1834, Feodorit took the schema and was renamed Feofil. At this time, he took upon himself the difficult podvig of being a fool for Christ. Dead to the world and its passions, Feofil would spend his days and nights in prayer and deep devotion, not even allowing himself to become too close to any individual for, as St. Nikolai Velimirović would later put it, friends can bind one to earth, whereas Feofil sought to demolish all his aspirations in the world.

Just as he had done since childhood, Feofil never missed a service at church, though he typically would remain at the church doors or just inside rather than taking a place further within the sanctuary. He always carried with him some type of container – whether a basket, bowl, or bucket – in which he kept various provisions that he would distribute to the poor. Beyond that, his only other possessions were a small Psalter that he read continually and a coffin he had placed in his cell which was filled with food and other items to give to people in need.

One of his daily routines was to go to the river each morning to get water. Sometimes he would get in one of the boats tied nearby and row across to the other side of the Dniper River where he would go into the woods and spend time in prayer. He then would bring the boat back when he returned to his cell. He always would take whatever vessel he found, and the owners never complained but felt rather blessed.

One morning when he went to get water, he encountered a young postulant from the nearby Florovsky Monastery. Sisters from the monastery sometimes would come to draw water from the Dniper because it was high in iron and considered healthier than their normal water. But before anyone from the Florovsky Monastery would come to the Dniper, they were to seek permission from their superior. In her haste, this young postulant left before doing so. When she attempted to get water into her bucket she lost her balance, and while rescuing herself form a plunge into the river she dropped the key to her cell, which she had been holding in her hand.

As Feofil approached he saw her weeping despondently. When he asked why she was weeping, she explained that she had lost the key to her cell in the river and did not know how she would explain that to her superior. Feofil said, “It serves you right, silly. The next time you won’t go without a blessing.” Then he asked for the bucket and stooped and filled it with water, and handed it back to the postulant, saying, “Here. Take this and go home. You have your water and your key.” And when the postulant looked into the bucket, she saw her lost key. She turned to thank Feofil for this miracle but he was nowhere to be seen.”

Feofil of the Kyiv Caves (1788-1853) in Holy Fools: The Lives of Twenty Fools for Christ by Oswin Craton (Chesterton: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2024) 31-39.

The account of Feofil in this book includes many stories like this. I love them because they remind me of stories like today’s Scripture which features prophets like Elisha.

But the word container stands out most to me in his story. From his container he shared provision. From his coffin (which we would normally think would hold a dead body) he offered life giving food. And from the bucket, he returns both water and a key to the postulant.

Notice his lifestyle. Daily prayer. Attentiveness to the needy by day. Prayerful at night. Disconnected from the world and people who might bind him to earth. But living in a monastery also implies living in community with people who saw heaven as their home.

These represent the lessons we must take with us. Which aspect speaks to you? I love the container motif. It implies a readiness to share we don’t often see. It’s the opposite of a readiness to keep for self. I will make you read his story to see his connection to the Kyiv caves.

The work is going great in Colombia. We have reached the fourth of four cities. With Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena behind us, we arrived late last night to Bogotá. We have events there on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks for your prayers. We surrender ourselves in service to Jesus and continue to watch him do miracles.