Saint Andrew the Fool-For-Christ

Life

A Slav by origin. As a slave he was purchased by a certain rich man, Theognostus, in Constantinople in the time of Emperor Leo the Wise, the son of Emperor Basil the Macedonian. Andrew was a handsome young man in body and soul. Theognostus came to love Andrew and gave him to be educated in letters. Andrew fervently prayed to God and lovingly attended the church services. Heeding a certain heavenly revelation, he resolved upon the ascetic labor of foolishness for Christ's sake. And one day when he went to the well for water, he tore his clothes upon himself and shredded them with a knife, and pretended to be mad. Grieved by this, his master Theognostus shackled him in chains and brought him to the Church of Saint Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions, to have prayers read over him. But as Andrew did not improve in the eyes of his master, his master set him free as a madman. The holy Andrew by day pretended to be a fool, but by night he prayed to God all night long. He lived without roof or shelter. He spent the night in the open field, walked about half-naked in a single tattered garment, and ate a little bread when kind people offered him some. From what he received he would share with beggars, and whenever he gave to them he would mock them, so that they would not thank him. For Saint Andrew expected all reward only from God. Therefore great grace from God settled into him, so that he could see into the secrets of men, see angels and demons, drive demons away from people, and correct people from sin. He had wondrous visions of Paradise and the highest heavenly Powers; he saw Christ the Lord on the throne of glory; he saw, together with his disciple Epiphanius, the Most Holy Theotokos in the Church at Blachernae, covering the Christian race with her garment (see the Protection of the Theotokos); he heard in the heavens words unspeakable, which he was not permitted to repeat to men. After unheard-of labors of the most severe kind, he reposed in the year 911 and was translated into the eternal glory of his Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

Andrew the Fool-for-Christ stood in the night,Beneath the canopy of stars he prayed to God:O God Most High, Three in Hypostasis,Awaken sleeping souls and save them!