This blessed one is undeservedly forgotten: she was revered no less than Matrona of Moscow and Ksenia of St. Petersburgtranslated

Today, when it comes to female holy fools, we usually remember Ksenia of Petersburg or Matrona of Moscow. But Blessed Paraskeva of Diveevskaya, better known as Pasha of Sarov, who lived for 120 years and was revered throughout Russia, is for some reason undeservedly forgotten. But both St. Seraphim of Sarov and Nicholas II listened to her. It was she who predicted to the last Russian Tsar the imminent birth of the long-awaited heir, and the death of Russia and the royal dynasty, and the defeat of the Church, and a sea of ​​blood.

“There are few true holy fools”

Blessed Pasha of Sarov. Lithograph 1908

The Monk Seraphim, who blessed her for the feat of foolishness, even when she came to Sarov on a pilgrimage with her husband, of whom she said: “He is a fool like me,” reminded:

“The true blessed and Christ for the sake of fools are few; most of them are wandering around Russia, spontaneously taking upon themselves this great and difficult feat, vicious people led by the enemy of humanity. But the true blessed ones are recognized by the purity and holiness of their gaze, inexplicable in words, penetrating into the heart of a person, by their way of life and, especially, by the inimitability of their speech, which is the same for everyone.”

And the abbot...