Isidore of Rostov

Blessed Isidore Tverdislov of Rostov, fool for Christ and wonderworker of Rostov, died in 1474 (the Serbian source gives 1484). The Russian Church honours him as a saint, with commemoration on 14 May (27 May by the new calendar). He was, according to his Life, of German origin, born near the city of Brandenburg, in a Slavic family of Catholic faith.

Taking up the labour of foolishness for Christ, Isidore walked on foot to Rostov and received Orthodoxy there. He slept in a hut of branches, which he had made himself in a marshy place. The Life speaks of his numerous miracles and of his ascetic life. He was known for his prophecies, which came true, for which he was called "Tverdislov" (of the firm word). In Christian tradition it is recalled that to a merchant who had been thrown from a ship and was drowning in the sea, Isidore appeared walking on the water and brought him to shore. It is also recalled that at the prince of Rostov's all the vessels of wine suddenly dried up when his servants drove Isidore from the gate, giving him a cup of water. When he died, in his hut, all Rostov was filled with a wonderful fragrance. The merchant whom Blessed Isidore had saved at sea built him a church on the place where the hut had been. The saint was buried on the site of the hut, and later over it the church of the Ascension of the Lord was built (the church of Blessed Isidore on the ramparts), at whose walls his relics remain to this day.

His veneration began already in the fifteenth century, that is, immediately after his death. Ivan the Terrible considered him one of the great wonderworkers of Russia: to Isidore was ascribed the liberation of the city of Polotsk from the Polish army in 1563. In the Typikon of the Dormition cathedral of Moscow (1636) it is noted that on 14 May the great bell is rung for Isidore of Rostov, with the middle bell at the end. According to the painters' guide, Isidore is shown "Russian in likeness, with great hair, a beard like Saint Nikita the Martyr's but longer, in a single torn grey garment, with the right shoulder bare, arms in the form of a cross and feet bare". His service is performed with the order of service of six odes.