Venerable
Blessed, Fool for Christ Nicholas Salos of Pskov
†28 февраля 1576
Also known as: Микула Салос, Микула Свят
Blessed Nicholas Salos of Pskov, Fool for Christ — became famous in February 1570 when, after sacking Novgorod, Ivan the Terrible approached Pskov with the same intent, but the holy fool Nicholas met the tsar and warned him that his best horse would die if he did not leave the city; the tsar departed hastily, and Pskov was spared. He died on February 28, 1576.
Blessed Nicholas, nicknamed Salos (Greek for "blessed, fool"; among the Pskov people also called Mikula Salos, or Mikula Svyat), labored for decades in the feat of foolishness for Christ's sake in the city of Pskov. He became famous in the winter of 1570: having sacked Novgorod, Tsar Ivan the Terrible, suspecting the people of Pskov of treason, approached the city with his oprichnina army intending to inflict the same reprisal. On the advice of Blessed Nicholas, the Archbishop of Pskov and the military governor Prince Yuri Tokmakov arranged a solemn reception for the tsar. After the liturgy the tsar wished to receive the blessed one's blessing, but Nicholas came out to meet him with the words that if the tsar did not leave the city and stop the bloodshed, misfortune would befall him and his best horse; soon after, Ivan the Terrible's favorite horse indeed died. According to tradition, the shaken tsar hastily left Pskov, calling off the planned massacre. Blessed Nicholas died on February 28, 1576. His memory is kept on the day of his repose, February 28/March 13.