Rev. Father Michael Boyle, Priest
Rev. Deacon Philip Mayer

Saint Andrew, Fool-for-Christ - October 2/15

By birth a Slav, he was bought as a slave by Theognostus, a rich man in Constaninople, in the time of the Emperor Leo the Wise, son of the Emperor Basil the Macedonian. Andrew was a handsome young man, both in body and soul. Theognostus took a fancy to him and allowed him to learn to read and to write. Andrew prayed fervently to God and attended church services with great devotion, and, in obedience to a heavenly revelation, resolved on the ascesis of folly for Christ's sake.

Once, when he went to the well for water, he cast off his clothes and cut them to pieces, feigning madness. Saddened by this, his owner Theognostus put him in chains and took him to the church of St. Anastasia the Deliverer from Bonds, that prayers be read for him. But, as Andrew did not recover as far as his owner could see, he was freed as being sick in mind.

Holy Andrew feigned madness all day and spent the nights in prayer. He lived without a roof over his head, spending the nights in the open and going about half-naked in a single, tattered garment and eating a little bread when kindly people shared theirs with him. Whatever he received, he gave away to beggars, and when he gave it to them he would mock them to avoid their thanks, for holy Andrew looked only for the reward from God.

Therefore great grace from God abode in him, and he was able to discern men's secrets, see angels and demons, drive demons from men and turn men from sin. He had a most wonderful vision of Paradise and the exalted powers of heaven; he saw the Lord Christ on His throne of glory; he, with his disciple Epiphanius, saw the most holy Mother of God in the Blachernae Church, sheltering the Christian people with her veil; he heard in heaven unspeakable words, which he dared not recount to men. After unprecedentedly harsh asceticism, he entered into rest and the eternal glory of his Lord in 911.

Troparion, Tone 1

Hearkening to the voice of Thine Apostle Paul saying: "We are fools for Christ's sake," Thy servant Andrew became a fool on earth for Thy sake, O Christ God. Wherefore, honoring his memory now we entreat Thee O Lord: Save Thou our souls!

Kontakion, Tone 4

Feigning foolishness of thine own will, thou didst hate the beauties of this world and didst cause the carnal thoughts to wither away through fasting and thirst, the heat of day and freezing cold, rain and snow; and unbowed by any of the vagaries of the weather, thou didst purify thyself like gold in a crucible, O blessed Andrew.

Foolishness for the Sake of Christ
(Excerpted from: "The Law of God", Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY 1993)

One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ.

The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Russia.

The Lord blessed Orthodox lands by sending unto them many ascetics, righteous men and women who instructed the people in struggle, patience, and submission to the will of God. The Orthodox peoples endured their hardships with patience and hope in the mercy of God. Thus the long-suffering and humble soul of the Orthodox nation was cultivated and given the strength for the most difficult, heroic labors in the name of righteousness and love of God.

For more information on other saints and their lives see our Lives of the Saints page.

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Last modified: 06/01/08