Saint Sava of Vatopedi the Fool for Christ from Vatoped Monastery, Holy Mount Athos

Holy Fools for Christ represents a unique category of saints within the Orthodox Church. This specific type of sanctity is closely associated with the Byzantine Empire, although similar behaviors can be found among the Old Testament prophets. Moreover, this phenomenon extends beyond the geographical and temporal boundaries of the Byzantine Empire. The most well-known Holy Fools for Christ are Simeon of Emesa and Andrew of Constantinople. In addition to these two, this study aims to uncover and reveal another Holy Fool who lived as a monk on Mount Athos. This individual is connected to one of the greatest monasteries in this sacred land protected by the Mother of God, the Monastery of Vatoped.