The yurodivy (accented on the second syllable, юро́дивый) is the Russian version of the holy fool. The role can be traced at least as far back as the medieval period. The yurodivy (accented on the second syllable, юро́дивый) is the Russian version of the holy fool. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ...

The yurodivy is traditionally an eccentric figure who is outside conventional society. The madness of the yurodivy is ambiguous, and can be real or simulated. He (or she) is believed to be divinely inspired, and is therefore able to say truths which others cannot, normally in the form of indirect allusions or parables. He had a particular status in regard to the Tsars, as a figure not subject to earthly control or judgment. Madness has several uses: One who is affected by madness could be deemed insane or could have a mental illness A band, see Madness (band) A violent flash cartoon series, see Madness Combat. ... An ill digested lesson The Governess. ... Look up Tsar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary For the US community of Czar, see Czar, West Virginia. ...

The Russian Orthodox Church numbers 36 yurodivys among its saints, most prominently Saint Basil. The Russian Orthodox Church (also known as the Orthodox Catholic Church of Russia) (Русская Православная церковь) is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs and primates of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... St Basils Cathedral Saint Basil or Vasily (known also as Vasily Blazhenny, Basil Fool for Christ or Basil the Blessed) is a Russian Orthodox saint born to serfs in 1469 in Yelokhov, near Moscow. ...

After the 17th century the yurodivy existed more in the arts than in real life. Prominent examples are the fool in Boris Godunov and Prince Myshkin in The Idiot. The composer Dmitri Shostakovich and the pianist Maria Yudina have been cited as 20th century examples of the type. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Boris Godunov (Бори́с Годуно́в in Russian, Boris Godunov in transliteration) is an opera by Modest Mussorgsky to a Russian libretto by the composer, based on the drama of the same name by Aleksandr Pushkin and on Karamzins History of the Russian State. The music is written in a uniquely Russian style... Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of The Idiot The Idiot is a novel written by the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1869. ... Dmitri Shostakovich Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich (help· info) (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... Maria Yudina or Mariya Yudina (1899 in Nevel, Russia - 1970 in Moscow) was a Russian pianist. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

See also

• Foolishness in Christ