Venerable
Blessed, Fool for Christ John of Moscow, Big Cap
†3 июля 1589
Also known as: Иоанн Большой Колпак
Blessed John of Moscow, called "Big Cap," Fool for Christ — a native of Vologda who worked as a water-carrier at salt works in his youth; he came to Rostov, where he grew close to St. Irinarch of Rostov, then labored in Moscow, wearing an iron cap, chains with bronze crosses, and rings on his fingers. He died on July 3, 1589, and was buried next to Basil the Blessed in the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat (St. Basil's Cathedral).
Blessed John was born in the city of Vologda. In his youth he worked as a water-carrier at salt works. He later came to Rostov the Great, where he grew close to St. Irinarch of Rostov, another renowned ascetic recluse. Taking up the feat of foolishness for Christ, he wore an iron cap on his head (earning him the nickname "Big Cap"), long hair loose upon his shoulders, heavy chains with bronze crosses, and bronze rings on his fingers. He labored in Moscow. Foreseeing his own death, he asked the archpriest Demetrius to bury him next to Basil the Blessed in the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat (now known as St. Basil's Cathedral) on Red Square, but not before the third day. He died peacefully on July 3, 1589. His incorrupt relics were uncovered in 1672. His memory is kept on July 3/16.