Alexis Bushev of Vologda

Blessed Alexis Bushev (†1880), called Alyosha by the people, was a fool for Christ in Vologda. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; he died on 24 June 1880.

He was born in the family of the peasant Vasily in the village of Semyonkovo, two kilometres from the Dimitry Priluki Monastery near Vologda. From childhood he began to behave as a fool for Christ. The Vologda writer A. V. Kruglov left his portrait in the sketch "In the Field of Life": tall, stout, with a large beard, he wore a motley robe, tied his neck and head with a kerchief, and his feet were wounded, for he went barefoot, wrapped only in rags.

He wandered through the Vologda province, foretold people's deaths, knew beforehand the arrival of guests, and rebuked in symbolic ways the unseemly deeds of people. Cab drivers carried him gladly, seeing that afterwards the Lord sent them success. He loved children greatly and they answered him with love. At the request of an old sick nun he sent her a kaftan, and her pains eased. He was patient, humble, prayerful and wholly free of money; whatever he was given he distributed to the needy. He died in the parish "at Leonty on Glushitsa," in the house of his benefactor, having foretold his death a month earlier, and was buried in the village cemetery before many people, especially from Kadnikov. To his grave believers came from afar to have a memorial service served and to ask God's mercy through the blessed one's intercession.