There are many models of ascetic life within Christianity: some ascetics spend their entire lives confined to a cell without ever leaving it, others live in silence, withdraw to the tops of ancient columns (stylites), or retreat to remote places such as deserts or forests (hermits). Then, there are the fools, or "Fools for Christ."

The concept of "Foolishness for Christ" is a form of asceticism (ἄσκησις) that originated in Syria & became widespread in the Byzantine world as early as the 6th century. It later found fertile ground in Russia, where it became known as jurodivye. These individuals deliberately adopted the appearance of madness, rejecting worldly values, deemed incompatible with Christ. They wandered naked, endured insults & humiliation, & subjected themselves to public scorn in an effort to expose the madness of others, particularly that of the powerful. Their lives were marked by renunciation & sacrifice, in imitation of Christ’s Passion. The practice was rooted in the Gospel, especially in the teachings of Saint Paul, who exalted the "foolish" in contrast to the mighty.  

In Russia, Novgorod is the birthplace of most of these holy fools, but by the 14th century, they had spread to northern cities, including Moscow. The numbers grew in the 16th century, as the Orthodox Church became integrated into the state. The transformation made the jurodivye some of the only figures bold enough to challenge the powerful, demanding justice & claiming the right to speak the truth without fear of persecution.  

The earliest recorded jurodivy dates back to 1074. One of the most famous in the movement was Vasily the Blessed (Blažennyj, d. 1557). A miracle worker often depicted naked in icons, he was revered by Ivan IV Grozny (1547–1584), who not only accepted his reproaches but also dedicated the famous cathedral on Red Square, commissioned in 1555, to his memory.  

From the 17th century onward, the movement began to decline, with some of its followers engaging in extreme acts of violence. Over time, jurodivye faced persecution, particularly under Peter the Great & later during the Soviet era. Despite the challenges, the tradition has managed to survive to this day.