Repose of Blessed Maxim of Moscow, the Fool-for-Christ

Maxim of Moscow was a “fool for Christ”, an ascetic who took on the appearance of folly. Little is known of his life beyond what tradition keeps: he walked the streets of Moscow almost naked, in cold and heat, and he held back many merchants from dishonest deals. Sayings are attributed to him, such as “Though the winter is cruel, paradise is sweet”.

He lived in the first half of the 15th century, in a hard time of Tatar rule, famine and plague. He died on 11 November 1433 (some sources say 1434) and was buried by the church of Saints Boris and Gleb on Varvarka street. His relics were found in 1547 and again in 1698; after a fire in 1737 the surviving relics were returned in 1768 to the church that bears his name.