Saint Isidor Tverdislov ("Constant of Word"), Fool-for-Christ, Rostov Wonderworker

Commemorated on May 14

Saint Isidor Tverdislov ("Constant of Word"), Fool-for-Christ, Rostov Wonderworker: He was born in Germany of rich parents and "from his youth" he had "a life unsullied and an understanding compassionate". Having left his parental home "desiring the Kingdom of God", Saint Isidor distributed his riches to the poor, and with the staff of a wanderer he went off about many lands and cities (it is unknown where he accepted the Holy Orthodox faith – since he was raised in Catholicism). Finally, he arrived in Russia and he chose the place of his dwelling, Rostov. Here Saint Isidor, "in filth and snow and rain and cold" and "enduring every outrage", settled in a rickety wooden hut that he himself had made. He chose "a miserable and foolish manner of life as in the Epistle (1 Cor. 4: 10-13)" for the sake of Christ. Saint Isidor spent all his time at unceasing prayer, not giving himself over to "endless drowsing" and "rest". "He stood at all-night vigil and praise" to render his body "everlastingly to God". By day the blessed one made his rounds of the city, doing his deed as fool. "Like unto Job of old in patience", Blessed Isidor in the expression of Holy Church while still alive was "like an earthly angel and an heavenly man". "Having a soul compassionate, and pure of thought, and vigilant heart and faith unassailed, and true love without pretense", he was glorified during his life to work miracles. Saint Isidor reposed in the year 1474. They learned about his death only in that passing by his hut they perceived an especial fragrance. At the place of his burial in the city of Rostov was built the church of the Ascension of the Lord, in which through the present his relics rest in a crypt as a source of miracles. Blessed Isidor is termed "Tverdislov" ("Constant of Word") since that he spoke constantly. [trans. note: the title "Tverdislov" seems unique to Saint Isidor; this supplemental account of him is from the 1900 Bulgakov NaStol'naya Kniga.]