Holy Fool Basil of Kamen

Commemorated on August 2.

Venerable Basil of Kamen, a holy fool for the sake of Christ (2nd half of the XVII – 1st half of the XVIII century?), was a monk in the Savior–Kamen Monastery, located on an island in Lake Kuben (near Vologda). At the shrine of his relics, later placed in the church dedicated to Saint Basil of Moscow, there is a full-length icon depicting Saint Basil of Kuben with heavy iron chains and a cap made from strips of iron.

In 1774, when everything was consumed in a fire, the wooden reliquary and the icon remained undamaged.

The Holy Fool Basil of Kamen is commemorated on August 2, his Name Day; and also on the third Sunday after Pentecost (Synaxis of the Vologda Saints).

Troparion

Hearing the voice of Your Apostle Paul saying: "we are fools for Christ's sake,"
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O Christ God, Your servant Basil was a fool on earth for Your sake;
thus their memory is honored in the same way.
With them we entreat You, O Lord, that our souls may be saved.
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"We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ" (I Corinthians 4:10).