Fool-for-Christ 15th century

Blessed Michael of Klops

died 1453/1456

Also known as Michael the Fool-for-Christ of Klops, Novgorod

A fool-for-Christ of the Klops monastery near Novgorod, of noble birth, who concealed his gifts of prophecy beneath feigned folly.

Feast Day

January 11

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Commemorated as

The Blessed Michael of Klops, Fool-for-Christ

Life

Blessed Michael of Klops (Michael of Klopsk) was a fool-for-Christ associated with the Klopsky Monastery of the Holy Trinity, situated on the river Veryazha near Novgorod. He arrived at the monastery in feigned folly, dressed in rags and concealing his noble origins, and lived there as a monk distinguished by exemplary asceticism and a gift of clairvoyance.

By tradition he was of notably high birth. The Lives identify him with the Muscovite princely house, and the historian Valentin Yanin traced his lineage to Dmitry Mikhailovich Volyn-Bobrok, a hero of the Battle of Kulikovo, and to Anna Ivanovna, daughter of Grand Prince Ivan II of Moscow and sister of Dmitry Donskoy. The synaxarion records his name as Michael Maximovich and calls him a relative of Great Prince Demetrius of the Don.

The hagiographic tradition credits him with prophecies — including the birth of Ivan III and the future Muscovite conquest of Novgorod — together with acts of clairvoyance, the conversion of robbers, and miraculous provision during famine. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church at a Church Council in 1547, roughly a century after his death, and his relics are venerated at the Klopsky Monastery. His feast is kept on January 11.

Timeline 5 moments Read Hide

c. 1413 Arrival at the Klopsky Monastery According to the Life, Michael was discovered at the Klops monastery near Novgorod in a locked cell, copying out the Acts of the Holy Apostles. He refused to disclose his origins, answering questions only by repeating them back. When Prince Constantine Dimitrievich, son of Demetrius of the Don, visited the monastery and recognized him as 'our Mikhail,' Michael replied cryptically, 'Only the Creator knows me, and who I am.' (Wikipedia dates the prince's visit, with his wife, to 1413.)
Jan 22, 1440 Prophecy of the birth of Ivan III The synaxarion relates that Michael foretold the birth of Ivan III and his future conquest of Novgorod. He is also said to have condemned Prince Demetrius Shemyaka for the blinding of Great Prince Basil the Dark.
1453 (or 1456) Repose The OCA Life gives his repose as January 11, 1453, after 44 years at Klops, having indicated beforehand the place of his burial. The Wikipedia account dates his death to 1456.
1478–1479 Composition of the Life A hagiography of the saint was written in 1478–1479, redacted in the 1490s, and again in 1537. Despite its folkloric character, the text documents his monastic activity.
1547 Canonization Michael was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church at a Church Council in 1547, roughly a century after his repose.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributions Read Hide

Life and Asceticism

The Life recounts that Michael left Moscow dressed in rags and arrived unknown at the Klops monastery near Novgorod, where the monks found him in a locked cell copying the Acts of the Holy Apostles. He concealed his identity, at first answering questions only by repeating them, so that his noble origin and his spiritual gifts remained hidden beneath his feigned folly.

The OCA synaxarion records that he remained at Klops for forty-four years in exemplary monasticism, excelling in the reading of liturgical texts and the Lives of Saints, and that he received from the Lord the gift of clairvoyance.

Noble Lineage

Both the hagiographic tradition and modern scholarship place Michael in the highest Muscovite circles. The synaxarion names him Michael Maximovich and calls him a relative of Great Prince Demetrius of the Don (1363–1389). The historian Valentin Yanin traced his descent to Dmitry Mikhailovich Volyn-Bobrok, a hero of the Battle of Kulikovo, and to Anna Ivanovna, daughter of Grand Prince Ivan II of Moscow and sister of Dmitry Donskoy.

His recognition by Prince Konstantin Dmitrievich, who visited the monastery and addressed him as 'our Mikhail,' is taken to indicate a prior family connection.

Miracles & Traditions

Historically Documented: The Life, written in 1478–1479 and twice redacted, is treated as historical documentation of Michael's monastic activity despite its folkloric character. It credits him with the conversion of robbers — one of whom became the monk Dorofey — the discovery of an inexhaustible fountain, the prediction of weather, and various acts of clairvoyance and prophecy.

Traditional Accounts: The synaxarion relates that he foretold the birth of Ivan III (Jan 22, 1440) and the Muscovite conquest of Novgorod, and that he condemned Prince Demetrius Shemyaka for blinding Great Prince Basil the Dark. He is said to have summoned forth a spring by writing on the earth, and during a famine the monastery's stores of bread did not diminish though they were distributed to the hungry.

Relics & Shrines

Michael's relics are venerated at the Klopsky Monastery of the Holy Trinity, on the river Veryazha near Novgorod, where he lived and reposed. The Life records that he indicated beforehand the place of his burial.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Jan 11