The existence of "fools for Christ" in the Orthodox tradition mystifies many people, even some within the Orthodox Church itself. People often wonder what purpose these sometimes comical and oftentimes tragically misunderstood saints serve in the life of the Church—especially given their unconventional and seemingly bizarre behaviors. In Holy Fools we begin to gain a better understanding of these saints' curious manner of serving Christ, as we learn about the extraordinary lives of twenty of the most well-known fools for Christ in a series of brief hagiographies.
About the Author: Oswin Craton was born and grew up in Alabama but currently lives in Indiana. He is the author of A Journey of Fear and Joy, which is the story of his journey to Orthodoxy from a fundamentalist Protestant background. He is known in the music world under his birth name, John, and as a composer of classical music has written a number of ballets, operas, concertos, and other orchestral and chamber works that have been performed internationally. He is a member of All Saints Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Indiana. His patron saint is St. Oswin of Deira.