The Eastern 'fool for God'

[DL82]

I was reading about St Benedict Joseph Labre recently, and it said that he was more like the kind of wandering ‘fool for God’ that was more commonly found in Eastern and Syriac Christianity. The Liber Graduum also seems to talk about this kind of itinerant lifestyle, someone who gives up even the security of a monastery to wander and do good wherever they can.

I was just wondering, do such men still exist in the Eastern churches? Has anyone ever met one. They seem to live almost on the border between holiness and mental illness by the sound of things, but yet there’s something absolutely awe-inspiring about the very idea.

 

[Cluny]

One of the lessons taught by the fools-for-Christ is that you don’t have to have all your marbles to be holy.

There are some who hid their holiness behind a facade of foolishness.

There were others, like St. John Maximovitch, who were so caught up in the heavenly realm that they seemed eccentric to many.

While this seems to be type that was very prevalent in Russia, as one very strictly bishop said, “How many of them were fools for Christ, and how many were just fools?”

 

[German_Melkite]

While I do not feel I can fairly give any specifics, I most sincerely believe I have met one. This person’s close connection to God could be seen in their eyes. In this person’s presence, you just knew you were speaking with a “holy person.” As a member of the clergy, this person had an important role within a community. They were productive and a great asset to the community.

Then, one day, they left it all to roam and minister amoung the poorest of the poor. They left everything behind to live as an outcast and to be an example of “Christ” in the worst of situations.

So, yes, there are still “fools for God” or “fools for Christ.” They are “unbalanced” in the eyes of the world, but they are one of the Lord’s greatest blessings on mankind. Their grace seems to be only seen in the darkest of corners. It is a huge sadness that these sorts of people are rarely “engaged” in ministry to the “civilized world.”

 

[Jimzz12]

I was reading about St Benedict Joseph Labre recently, and it said that he was more like the kind of wandering ‘fool for God’ that was more commonly found in Eastern and Syriac Christianity. The Liber Graduum also seems to talk about this kind of itinerant lifestyle, someone who gives up even the security of a monastery to wander and do good wherever they can.

I was just wondering, do such men still exist in the Eastern churches? Has anyone ever met one. They seem to live almost on the border between holiness and mental illness by the sound of things, but yet there’s something absolutely awe-inspiring about the very idea.

I did that for a little while. drove around the country, lived out of my car and talked with whoever I came across about Christ. The only people who were truly receptive were the homeless. I have feel it has given me an affinity for God’s people now. I had an uncle who did exactly that from time he got out of World War II. He just went all over being a friend to poor. He never actually had work I think – just got his wounded veteran money every month.

I don’t think I have all my marbles. I don’t think he did either. Who cares? It’s actually kind of a cool life. Not knowing anyone. No job. No roof. No shower. No clean clothes. When you do get it all back its an amazing thing.

 

[narrowpath]

I love St. Benedict Joseph Labre. I first heard about him from Fr. Benedict Groschel, who has him as his patron…