Fool for Christ
Blessed Maxim the Blessed of Moscow
† 1434
Also known as: Максим, Христа ради юродивый
Blessed Maxim of Moscow — a 15th-century fool-for-Christ who walked through Moscow half-naked in all weather, admonishing the rich and comforting the poor.
Blessed Maxim, fool-for-Christ, labored in Moscow in the first half of the 15th century. Tradition holds he gave away his possessions and walked through the city nearly naked in all weather — through bitter winter and summer heat alike — praying and admonishing rich and poor alike to repentance. Sayings attributed to him include "Though winter is harsh, paradise is sweet" and rebukes of the wealthy whose "house has icons, but conscience is for sale." He lived through Tatar raids, drought, and plague that struck Moscow.
He died on November 11, 1434, and was buried by the Church of Sts. Boris and Gleb. In 1547 his incorrupt relics were uncovered, prompting his glorification. After a fire in 1568 destroyed the earlier church, a new one was built on the site in honor of Blessed Maxim himself (on Varvarka Street in Moscow), where his relics remain to this day.
His feast is kept on November 11/24 (repose) and August 13/26 (uncovering of relics).