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!
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