Fool for Christ
Blessed Nicholas of Kochanov, Fool for Christ
? — 1392
Also known as: Николай Новгородский, Кочанов
Blessed Nicholas Kochanov, Fool for Christ of Novgorod — a noble Novgorodian who renounced wealth and status for foolishness for Christ, known for a mock rivalry with another Novgorod holy fool, Feodor, across the Volkhov river.
IMPORTANT CORRECTION: the category has been corrected from "righteous" to "blessed, fool for Christ". The previously listed contaminated date list ("December 6/May 9/July 29," belonging to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra) has been replaced with his own correct date.
Blessed Nicholas was born in Novgorod to a wealthy, noble family. He renounced wealth and status for the ascetic feat of foolishness for Christ. He became known for a mock rivalry with another Novgorod holy fool, Blessed Feodor, who lived on the opposite bank of the Volkhov river — these "duels" reportedly included Nicholas walking on the surface of the river and throwing a head of cabbage at Feodor (hence the epithet "Kochanov," from kochan, "cabbage head"). Novgorodians understood this apparent "feud" as a living allegory of the city's internal Sofia-side/Market-side rivalry. Nicholas patiently endured mockery and beatings, praying for those who abused him.
He died July 27, 1392. In 1815 a carved reliquary shrine was erected over his relics.
His feast is kept on July 27/August 9.