Akathist to the holy blessed Andrei of Simbirsk, for Christ's sake the holy fool

The word "madness" means "abnormality," but those who have chosen the path of "fools for Christ's sake" have forsaken the goods and comforts of the world for the glory of God. Behind their outward madness there is often hidden insight and even farsightedness. The most famous is Andrey Durak. The prayers of Andrew, Christ for love for the mad saint in the middle of the 5th century helped protect Constantinople from enemies. In honor of this event, the Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established.

Life of Andrew, Christ for the Fool's Sake

This blessed man came from a Slavic family and lived in Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium, in the 10th century.
At a young age, he was acquired as a slave by a wealthy Constantinople dignitary named Theognostus. Andrey had a friendly disposition, responsiveness and was very attractive in appearance.

However, the owner, who gave his slave to be taught the Holy Texts, refused him, since the latter accepted the Christian feat of foolishness.

Andrei, abandoned by everyone, lived in poverty, cold and hunger, humbly endured the ridicule of those around him, but turned out to be worthy of the vision of the Protection of the Most Pure Virgin Mary.

Holy Fools of Russia

• Ivan the Terrible was denounced more than once by Basil the Blessed, who was considered perspicacious at court. No one could understand why the blessed one broke the icon of the Mother of God until they discovered the face of the devil under a layer of paint. Vasily foresaw the death of people and expressed this through actions. He scattered the goods of dishonest merchants and gave gold to the poor.
• The first holy fool Peter of Ustyug, a once rich German merchant, having learned the true veneration of the Creator in Veliky Novgorod, gave away all his wealth and retired to Ustyug. He slept on bare ground and constantly prayed in the temple. Peter was not taken seriously until one occasion when the blessed one shouted in the temple and called on everyone to repent. Nobody listened to him, they just laughed. However, seeing the approach of a terrible cloud and feeling the earthquake, people ran to the church and began to cry out to the icon of the Mother of God, thereby averting trouble from the city.
• Ksenia of St. Petersburg, a once rich noblewoman, after the death of her husband, dressed in his clothes, distributed wealth, began to live where she was accepted, eat what was served, constantly staying in the field at night, in prayer. Residents of St. Petersburg knew that good luck awaited the house where the blessed one was staying.

The Orthodox do not forget about Annushka and Ivan Koreysh, Pasha of Sarov and Matrona of Moscow, constantly bringing flowers to the place of their burial and asking in prayers for their needs.

Important! Foolishness appeared in Christian circles as a means of reproof, instruction and reconciliation. Among modern Christianity, there are not many church-going believers who truly fear and love God, who observe fasting and prayer rules not out of fear of the Creator, but out of love for the Almighty

Among modern Christianity, there are not many church-going believers who truly fear and love God, who observe fasting and prayer rules not out of fear of the Creator, but out of love for the Almighty.

True believers differ from the world in their behavior and attitude towards earthly values; sometimes they are called blessed. Perhaps the time has come for modern holy fools to appear who will be able to expose modern society for its sins before the Almighty.

Who are the holy fools?

The word “foolishness” means “abnormality,” but those who chose the path of “foolish fools for Christ’s sake” abandoned worldly goods and comforts for a reason, but for the glory of the Lord. Behind their outward madness there is often insight and even foresight. The most famous is Andrei Yurodivy. The prayers of Andrew, Christ for the sake of the holy fool in the middle of the 5th century helped protect Constantinople from enemies. In honor of this event, the Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established.

The ancient icon of Andrei the Fool depicts scenes from his life

One of the first icons of St. Andrew that appeared in Russia was the mid-16th century icon “St. Andrew the Fool for Fool, with a Life in 18 Marks” from the Church of St. Andrew of the Sitetsky Monastery.

On it Andrei is depicted in full height. Along the edges of the icon are stamps that depict miracles and visions of the Saint.

The appearance of the Saint on the icon corresponds to the status of a holy fool, his chest, arms and legs are naked, instead of clothes there is a cape on his shoulders

The 18 marks on the icon mean:

You can read about these and other miracles and visions in “The Life of St. Andrew, Christ the Fool for the Fool.”

Features and differences of the feat of foolishness

Venerable Isidora of Tavenskaya, Fool for Christ's Sake

The birthplace of foolishness for Christ's sake is Syria. The inhabitants of this country, like the inhabitants of Russia, were famous for their passion for burning spirit, for exerting all their strength to the utmost in serving God. Hence the emergence of many extreme forms of asceticism: sitting in a box (Reverend Varadat), pillarism, foolishness for the sake of Christ, etc.

Foolishness for Christ's sake is a “piecemeal commodity.” Over the 2000 years of its history, the Church has canonized about 60 people around the world as fools for Christ. Of these, the majority - about 35 ascetics - were glorified in the Russian Church.

One of the first holy fools in the world was the nun Isidora of Taven (Egypt), who lived in the 4th century. The first Russian holy fool is considered to be the Monk Isaac of Pechersk (IX century), a resident of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery.

As a type of feat, foolishness can only arise in a society that has grown out of the Christian paradigm. When people know the norms of Christian morality, but they have ceased to put them into practice, the accusations of the holy fool return them to the path of virtue. With his feat, he emphasizes the contradictions between the truth in Christ and worldly “common sense,” which often turns out to be anything but common sense.

Here's how Father Evgeny Ilyin talks about it:

It is interesting that in Rus' of the 15th-17th centuries, holy fools were even revered and perceived as people of God. This idea was widespread among the common people, and there was an idea among those in power. Offending a holy fool, a beggar, or a sick person was considered not only a sin, but also a dangerous thing: after all, God himself could intercede for them. This is reflected even in Russian folk tales, where, often, the main character plays the fool.

For example, Ivan the Fool hides his exploits, pretending to be worthless and stupid - this saves him from vanity and pride, which destroy his older brothers.

Recognizing a real holy fool is extremely difficult. This can only be done by people who themselves live a high spiritual life. After all, a person can appear insane for a variety of reasons. For example, the king and prophet David, having been captured by the pagans, pretended to be insane in front of one of the Philistine rulers in order to avoid execution.

Other people, known as “cliques” (false holy fools), seek to play on the authority of holy fools for Christ’s sake (among Christians) or on people’s superstitious fears of various “clairvoyants” and “oracles”, and take on the appearance of madmen in order to gain spiritual authority and material gain .

In addition, a person may indeed be mentally or mentally ill, but in a mild form. Such people, who are usually called “strange”, “blessed”, can be found in large numbers at churches, since here they are treated most leniently. The “blessed ones” may have reduced intelligence, but their intuition is compensatory. Therefore, being believers, they can express some interesting thoughts. But these will simply be their lucky guesses, and not the true spiritual wisdom or gift of insight of the holy fool for Christ’s sake, given to him by God.

Sometimes in Christian literature you can find fools for Christ’s sake called “blessed.” This is due to Catholic influence, where recognition as blessed, beatification, is the first stage of canonization of an ascetic. Among the ancient saints under the title “blessed” we know the Monk Jerome of Stridon and St. Augustine of Hippo.

The prophecies of St. Andrew concern the end of the world and the beginning of torment

The prophecies of St. Andrew, which he outlined in a conversation with his faithful disciple Epiphanius, concern the end of the world and the beginning of torment.

The prophecies are amazing with the details of the description of events, and make you think deeply about the words spoken by the Saint.

Here are some milestones of the prophecy:

...Know about our city:

until his death, no people will captivate or take him,

in no case, for he was given under the protection of the Mother of God,

and no one will snatch him from her hands.

For many nations will attack its walls and break their horns,

retreating in disgrace, but taking away gifts and great wealth from him...

This city (Constantinople), which is destined to rule over many nations, will be invincible for foreigners...

In the last days, the Lord God will raise the king from poverty, and he will enter the city with great righteousness.

And there will be peace in the likeness of the peace that was in the days of Noah, for they will no longer fight.

And because there will be no war on earth, they will beat their swords into plows, sickles and other agricultural tools...

And after this kingdom has passed, the beginning of torment will come.

Then the son of iniquity will arise and reign in this city for three and a half years,

and will cause lawlessness to come, which has not happened since the beginning of the world, nor will it ever happen.

For, having sat down, he will declare that father and daughter must come together, and son and mother, and brother and sister;

if not, then the one who resists will be brought to death and equated with John the Baptist on the Day of Judgment.

Then he will unite nuns with monks, and also with priests, and the lawlessness of copulation will become worse than murder,

and he himself corrupts mother and daughter, and at this time,

taking advantage of permissiveness because of damned impunity, fools will shamelessly laugh at their own sisters.

And rottenness and stench will arise as an abomination to the Lord,

and the Lord God will be severely angry, and will look upon all the earth with great wrath,

and will command his thunder on high and lightning,

and they will begin to fall powerfully to the ground in great fear,

and many cities will be burned in fire, and people from the roar of those terrifying thunders will be shackled with great horror and die a terrible death,

and many will be incinerated by lightning. ...

In those days, everything will be restored, and Illyricum will become part of the Roman power, and Egypt will find its gates.

And the king will lay his right hand on the surrounding nations, and will subdue the fair-haired race, and defeat his haters.

And he will hold the kingdom for thirty-two years, but taxes and gifts will not be collected for twelve years.

He will restore ruined treasuries and rebuild holy temples.

In those days there will be neither litigation nor unrighteousness with the wicked, for the whole earth will fear the face of the king,

and he will force all the sons of men to be chaste out of fear of him, and among his nobles he will destroy every lawbreaker...

Then Satan will rise - the Antichrist from the tribe of Dan (not by his own strength,

however, he will turn into a human, not at all,

but the Lord God will make for him a shell, shameful and vile,

so that what was spoken by the prophets would be fulfilled in him)

and will be freed from the hellish shackles in which the Lord Christ imprisoned him,

when he was there, and he will enter the shell made for him.

And when he turns into a man, matures and reigns,

then he will begin to reveal his deception, as John the Theologian said.

Then he will start a war against the islands of the Cyclades (the islands are the churches of the pagans),

while Elijah and Enoch and the Son of Thunder will come out to announce his deception and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And he would bitterly humiliate the Christians living at that time, torturing them until their last breath and destroying them - a monstrous scoundrel!

Then he who does not fall into error will prove to be a great and powerful friend of Christ, for blessed are all the saints,

but more, of course, those who testified to their holiness during the time of the Antichrist,

they are blessed and thrice blessed, for the greatest glory will take them for endless centuries...

When the Antichrist is already defeated and captured along with his demons,

and imprisoned by fiery angels, and imprisoned,

to appear before the court, and will be asked in justice about those souls

which he destroyed, then the trumpet will sound, and the dead will rise incorruptible...

And then those who live, as Paul said, remain until the coming of the Lord,

changing in the blink of an eye from corruption to incorruptibility,

together with them they will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

So, when anyone sees that vile nations have come into this world, O child,

then he will know that everyone is at the door and that the Judge will soon come...

Andrey Yurodivy

saint

Andrew the Blessed tells the youth Epiphanius about the end of times. The Mother of God spread her veil over his head

Video: The Life of Saint Andrew, Christ for the Fool's Sake.

By leaving a comment, you accept the user agreement

Prayer 2*

Oh, great saint of Christ, blessed Vasily! Falling before the race of your relics, with faith we kiss your honest image, hoping from it by the power of God to receive healing of our souls and bodies, we glorify the majesty of the Almighty God, whose soul and soul you are. You have glorified your strength in this life, we honor the strength of your faith and love for the Lord To the hosts, we preach the strength of Your Spirit and, remembering the great deeds of your virtue, we cry to You from the depths of our hearts: do not remain silent in crying out for us to the Lord God, for Your body abides You are with us on earth, but you rest in spirit in Heaven in the arms of Your Creator. By your representation at the Throne of unapproachable glory, ask that the Spirit of God may rest upon us, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of advice and strength, the spirit of knowledge and piety and the fear of God, and may you not despise the many our prayers. Behold, standing in the temple dedicated to your holy name, we will write a praise to you: Rejoice, God-blessed Basil, for you, having hated the temporary world, labored in a godly manner here and to the height of virtues you have risen. Rejoice, for you tried to overcome passion with all its vicious inclinations and you were granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for you appeared to be the fool of the world, and through the purity of your soul you appeared wise to God. Rejoice, for in patience and suffering you appeared bravely and you extinguished all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Rejoice, for you were filled with the grace of God by always drawing from the fountain of Israel. Rejoice, for with the yoke of the saving word of Christ our God, you have trampled all the pride of the world. Rejoice, for in the midst of rumors you have preserved silence, quickly directing your thoughts to the High Ones. Rejoice, for with the spiritual sword you cut off the will of your desire and established the feet of your mind on the rock of the love of Christ. Rejoice, for you have put off corruptible garments and have put on the new man, renewed by the blood of Christ. Rejoice, for in the place of corruption you have gathered spiritual wealth and brought the first fruits of labor to Christ our God. Rejoice, for even after death the Lord has shown you to us a source of healing. Rejoice, for, having not desired fame and wealth, you counted everything as nothing, so that you acquired Christ, whom you acquired through much labor and patience. Rejoice, as now, uniting with God, enjoying His unceasing vision and dwelling in blissful eternity. Rejoice, for you are filled with good things, which eye cannot see, and ear cannot hear, and the heart of man does not breathe, what God has prepared for him who loved Him, make haste then with Your prayers We, the chosen one of God, and we too on earth, have united in the strongest union of God’s love, Let us generously bear the goodness of the Gospel and the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be worthy to taste and be satisfied with you eternally of Heavenly unshimmering blessings. Amen.

We advise you to study Is it possible to bless water yourself?

Andrey the holy fool

The Feast of the Intercession is associated with the name of St. Andrew the Fool. It was installed in the 10th century. It was a difficult time for Byzantium: Constantinople, the capital of the empire, was encircled by pagan barbarians. Most of the townspeople, believing that they were on the verge of a terrible death, came to pray to the Intercessor of the human race, the Mother of God, under the arches of one of the capital’s churches - here was a great shrine, part of Her attire.

The holy fool Andrew, known in Constantinople for his righteous life, also came here. Feigning madness for God's sake, living on the streets, eating alms and constantly praying to God, he was honored to see many miracles of God. After his death, Saint Andrew was glorified and canonized by the Church. Based on the life of the holy fool, the Church established the Feast of the Intercession.

While praying in the temple, Saint Andrew, together with Epiphanius, his disciple, saw that the walls of the temple seemed to move apart and the Most Holy Theotokos appeared above those praying. She came down from heaven, knelt down in front of the Royal Doors and prayed to Her Son for the salvation of unfortunate people. She was surrounded by the Heavenly Powers and all the saints, in her hands she held an omophorion (a veil, part of the outer garment) and seemed to cover it with the praying citizens of Constantinople. Saint Andrew and his disciple saw this miraculous phenomenon together and were horrified, not in a night vision, but with their own eyes seeing the Mother of God who had long since departed to Heaven, standing as if alive above them.

Immediately after the service, they told the people of Constantinople about the vision. Hopeful, the townspeople, with a firm belief in salvation, went home and to their places of service. And almost immediately the pagan enemies retreated from the capital without a single battle.

How do prayers to Blessed Andrei Yurodivy help?

Blessed Andrew the Fool died to the Lord in 936. His life was translated and was popular in Russia.

The saint's memorial day is celebrated on October 15, and the day before the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.

They turn with prayers to Andrew Christ for the sake of the mad saint in the following cases:

• asking for protection from enemies.
• to protect against diseases (both physical and mental);

Prayers

Troparion to Blessed Procopius, Wonderworker of Vyatka, tone 4

Who on earth for Christ's sake was transformed into violence by will, / and hated the beauty of this world, / and carnal play withered with fasting and thirst, / and laying on the earth, / from winter, cold and darkness and from the sunny heat and rain/ and other hardships never having gone under the roof,/ and having no clothing on your body,/ we cover you with God’s help,/ and you purified your soul with your virtues, like gold in a furnace,/ Procopius the wise,/ creating with faith to those who honor your memory/and diligently flow to your relics to yours,/ glorifying your holy dormition,/ praying to Christ God, good fool,/ may the Lord deliver us from the barbarian invasion and civil strife/ and grant peace to the world// and to our great souls Lost.

Translation: In earthly life you voluntarily became mad for Christ's sake (1 Cor. 4:10) and completely hated the blessings of this world, and pacified the violence of the flesh with fasting and thirst, reclining on the ground, cold from the winter cold, from the heat of the sun and rain and other hardships never hiding in a shelter, and having no clothes on your body, covered with God's help, you purified your soul with your virtues, like gold in a furnace (Wisdom 3:5), Procopius the Wise, for all who celebrate your memory with faith and reverence and diligently those who come to your relics, glorifying your holy dormition, pray to Christ God, good fool, that the Lord will deliver us from the pagan invasion and internecine war, and may peace grant great mercy to the world and our souls.

Troparion to Blessed Procopius, Wonderworker of Vyatka, tone 4

Having great love for the Lord within you,/ all your difficult life/ in the city of Khlynov, playing the fool, you passed through, blessed Procopius,/ graciously enduring heat and frost, hunger and thirst,/ you joyfully accepted beatings and reproaches from ungodly people, O ascetic good-victor,/ but repaying evil with love and goodness,/ you foretold in many ways what awaited them,/ and you healed them from ailments, without malice,/ enjoying the same things now in the host of saints,// pray The Lord have mercy on the city and the people who honor you.

Translation: Having great love for the Lord, you spent your entire difficult life in the city of Khlynov acting like a fool, you, blessed Procopius, spent heat and frost, hunger and thirst good-naturedly enduring, you joyfully accepted beatings and insults from godless people, an ascetic glorified by victory and love and repaying evil with great good, you predicted their future for many, and you, good-natured one, healed them from illnesses; therefore, now enjoying yourself in the assembly of the saints, pray to the Lord to have mercy on the city and the people who honor you.

They pray to Saint Andrew the Blessed for protection from enemies and diseases

How do prayers to St. Andrew the Blessed help? They turn to the Saint with prayers for health, for protection from physical and mental illness.

They ask him for protection from external and internal enemies, from attacks by demonic forces, from aggression.

Below are the texts of prayers to the Saint. You should pray to the icon of the Blessed One with a pure heart and good thoughts.

First prayer to Saint Andrew the Blessed

“Oh, great servant of Christ, true friend and faithful servant of the All-Creator of the Lord God, Most Blessed Andrew! Hear us, O great sinner, now crying out to you and calling on your holy name,

have mercy on us who fall today before your most pure image,

accept our small and unworthy prayer, have mercy on our misery,

and with your prayers heal every ailment and disease of the soul and body of our sinner,

and vouchsafe for us the course of this life to pass unharmed from visible and invisible enemies and to pass without sin,

and Christian death is not shameful, peaceful, serene,

and receive the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the saints forever and ever. Amen".

Andrew the Fool's prayer for sorrows and illnesses

“Oh holy servant of God, blessed Andrew! Having fought a good fight on earth, you have received the crown of righteousness in Heaven,

This is what the Lord has prepared for all who love Him to eat.

Likewise looking at your holy image,

We rejoice at the glorious end of your life and honor your holy memory.

You, standing before the Throne of God, accept our prayers and bring them to the All-Merciful God,

to forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil,

Yes, having been delivered from sorrows, illnesses, misfortunes and misfortunes and all evil,

Let us live piously and righteously in this present world and be honored by your intercession,

even though we are unworthy, to see good things on the land of the living,

glorifying the One in His saints, glorifying God,

Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen".

Troparion of Christ for the Holy Fool, tone 1

“When we heard the voice of Your Apostle Paul saying, We are fools for Christ’s sake, Thy servant, O Christ God Andrew, we are fools on earth for Your sake:

We also honor his memory, we pray to You, Lord, save our souls.”

Kontakion of Christ for the Fool's sake, tone 8

“Desiring the highest beauty and the lower pleasures of the body, as if you had abandoned the non-acquisitiveness of the vanity world, the angelic life passing away, Andrei, the blessed one, died: with them, pray to Christ God unceasingly for all of us.”

At divine services in churches, an akathist to St. Andrew the Blessed is always read.

Most often, on icons, Andrew for Christ's sake is depicted without clothes, emaciated, with disheveled hair.

Prayer to Tikhon of Zadonsk

A poem is dedicated to this saint. It was written by nun Maria (Mernova). The poem clearly reflects the entire life of the saint. In essence, this is his life in poetic form. We present in the article a small part of this poem. Taken from the book of the nun Mary “My soul, bless the creator.”

If you read the life of the saint, it says that his mother became a widow early on. With six children in his arms. The future saint hired himself out as a farm laborer in order to somehow help his mother. And the elder brother Peter was a “sex-psalm-reader.”

Poverty in the family was terrible. And the saint’s mother, in despair, decided to give him up for adoption to a rich merchant. The woman was stopped from taking a rash step by her eldest son.

Saint Tikhon was taught by Brother Peter. The future saint graduated from theological seminary, and he devoted his entire life to God.

A prayer for despondency and despair, which is read to Saint Tikhon:

Prayer for despondency

There are many prayers to miracle workers that help get rid of depressing feelings

It doesn’t matter who exactly you turn to, your heart should tell you. The main thing is to say a prayer and let hope into your heart

First of all, you can turn to the Virgin Mary for help. The Great Comforter will hear and calm everyone. Her gaze is always turned to those praying. You don't have to go to church to pray. Light a candle, place it in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary and say the words.

“My Queen, my hope, the Mother of God, protector of the orphaned and strange, patroness of the offended, salvation of the perishing, consolation of all who grieve, you see my misfortune, you see my sorrow and melancholy.

Help me, the weak one, strengthen me, the suffering one. You know my grievances and sorrows, resolve them, stretch out your hand over me, for I have no one to rely on, only You are my only protector and intercessor before the Lord, for I have sinned immeasurably and am sinful before You and people. Be, my Mother, a comforter and helper and save me, drive away sorrow, melancholy and despondency from me. Help, Mother of my Lord."

We advise you to study the Icon “Christ Pantocrator”

Depositphotos

Prayer for Fear

“He who lives in the help of the Most High will dwell in the shelter of the Heavenly God. Says the Lord: Thou art my Protector and my Refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. For He will deliver you from the snare of the trap, and from rebellious words, His splash will overshadow you, and under His wing you hope: His truth will surround you with weapons.

Do not be afraid from the fear of the night, from the arrow that flies during the day, from the thing that passes in the darkness, from the cloak, and from the demon of the midday. Thousands will fall from your country, and darkness will fall at your right hand, but it will not come close to you, otherwise you will look at your eyes, and you will see the reward of sinners.

For You, O Lord, are my hope, You have made the Most High your refuge. Evil will not come to you, and wound will not approach your body, as His Angel commanded you to keep you in all your ways.

They will lift you up in their arms, but not when you dash your foot on a stone, step on an asp and a basilisk, and cross a lion and a serpent. For I have trusted in Me, and I will deliver, and I will cover, and because I have known My name. He will call to Me, and I will hear him: I am with him in sorrow, I will destroy him, and I will glorify him, I will fill him with long days, and I will show him My salvation.”

Depositphotos

These words will definitely help free your heart from fear and anxiety. Repeat it as many times as needed to get rid of bad thoughts and fear.

Prayer for peace of mind

“Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day will bring me. Let me completely surrender to Your holy will.

For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will. In all my words and deeds, guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything was sent down by You. Teach me to act directly and wisely with each member of my family, without confusing or upsetting anyone.

Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during the day. Guide my will and teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love. Amen".

All these prayers will help you find peace and calm your thoughts.

In these difficult and scary times, it is very important to maintain a sound mind and not give in to fears. Pray and may the Lord protect you