Fool-for-Christ
Nicholas
Blessed Nicholas Salos of Pskov the Fool-For-Christ († 1576)
New Calendar February 28 Old Calendar March 12
Why they are a saint
A rare fearlessness is a characteristic of fools for Christ. Blessed Nicholas ran through the streets of Pskov, pretending madness, rebuking people for their secret sins and foretelling what would happen to them. When Tsar Ivan the Terrible entered Pskov, the whole town was in fear and dread of the terrible Tsar… The Tsar, learning about this blessed man, who and what he was, visited him in his tiny room. [Ivan was a great lover of external piety.] It was the first week of the Great Fast.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Nicholas as a patron when they bear the name Nicholas at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on February 28. Russian Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
Prayer
O holy Nicholas, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.