The life of St. Basil of Moscow, Fool for Christ.
Long ago, in the year 1464, a baby boy was born into a poor peasant family living in the village of Yelokhovoe near Moscow. As soon as he was old enough, his parents sent him off to learn a trade. He became the apprentice of a shoemaker, although he was not very good at it. After awhile, his master noticed that Basil was often distracted from his work. The shoemaker became disgruntled with Basil because he was such a bad worker and his labor was not profitable.
However, the master soon understood that the apprentice was not an ordinary peasant - there was something very special about him. According to legend, a well-to-do merchant visited the shop to order a pair of high boots to be made for him. He said he wanted them made so well that he would not be able to wear them out in a year. Basil replied, “Yes sir, we shall construct them, and you will never wear them out.” Not long after that, the rich man died. The news filled the master shoemaker and all who heard of the incident with fear.
He left home at a very early age.
Though he was only 16, Basil left his family and employment and set off for Moscow, where he lived homeless and poor for the rest of his life. He embraced the life of “foolishness for Christ’s sake” living the ascetic life of extreme humilty. Be it summer heat or winter frost, the holy man would go about the city uncovered and barefoot, his hair and beard uncut.
His actions were often mysterious to onlookers, although the most spiritual amongst them understood the Holy Spirit’s meaning behind the saints actions. For instance, one summer day, Basil overturned a cart loaded with breads and spilled jars of kvass. The merchants beat him and sent him on his way. Like Christ, he walked in peace through the midst of them; rejoicing, he accepted the abuse and praised God for it. It was only later, as the dogs became sick after eating the overturned food and drink, that the neighbors realized the bread and kvass had been tainted. Gradually they began to understand that the crazy Basil was really a holy man, or a man of God, as the Russians like to say.
The Idiot.
The holy fool Basil demonstrated through signs and allegory, and oftentimes straightforwardly, many various spiritual lessons and warnings, as well as dispensing blessings and praising virtue. Some days he might have entered a tavern to inspire the patrons to renounce drunkenness. At other times he visited areas of ill repute to instruct the inhabitants about the way of repentance.
His most famous rebuke was for the Tsar himself, Ivan the Terrible. One day, as the Tsar stood during the liturgy in the church, he became distracted from the Holy Mysteries and began to day dream. As the Tsar left the church after the service, Basil fiercely reprimanded the Tsar with loud shouts and insults as he returned to the palace. Only the Tsar understood he was being accosted justly for his wandering thoughts during Liturgy. From that day on, the tsar began to respect the fool-for-Christ-sake even more. Afterwards, Basil hid himself to avoid the praises of men.
Sharing the lot of the poor.
The fool-for-Christ-sake shared his meager alms to help those in need, even though he never begged for himself. As I said, the Tsar became very fond of him and would send him gifts. The saint immediately distributed these to the poor, keeping nothing for himself. It is said he once gave away some very valuable gifts he received from the palace to a foreigner. The unfortunate man happened to be an impoverished merchant from another country.
The blessed Basil imitated his Divine Master by preferring the company of sinners to that of the righteous. He always seemed to find a little flame of love even in the most dejected and sinful people. These he helped with his kindness and gentleness, sometimes offering guidance and comfort simply by listening to them.
Identifying with sinners.
It is said that when the Holy Fool for Christ wandered by a house of ill-repute, he would embrace the corners of the edifice and pray, “Blessed and Holy Angels, stand outside this house and weep with me for the sins of its inhabitants. Pray with me for the salvation of their souls.”
St. Basil lived to be 88 and died in the year 1552. There are countless stories of miracles and wonders from his life, as well as stories of how much he suffered from derision and beatings in union with the suffering Christ. When he died, all of Moscow recognized his sanctity and the Tsar himself accompanied the body of the saint to the church to be buried there.
The End.
[This has been my adaptation of the saint's life for children from another source.]
