Nicholas Salos of Pskov


Nicholas Salos of Pskov
Nicholas Salos confronting Ivan the Terrible
Fool-for-Christ
BornXVI century
Died28 February 1576
Venerated inEastern Orthodox Church
Feast28 February

Nicholas Salos of Pskov (Russian: Николай Салос) was a Russian fool for Christ (yurodivy). In February 1570, after a devastating campaign against Novgorod Tsar Ivan the Terrible decided to attack Pskov, suspecting the inhabitants of treason. During the siege, Nicholas confronted the tsar, rebuking him for his cruelty. His fearless admonition reportedly caused Ivan IV to halt the executions and eventually retreat his forces to Alexandrov, sparing the city from massacre. He is regarded as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

References

  • Nicholas Salos of Pskov – Orthodox Church in America
  • (in Russian) Nicholas Salos of Pskov
  • George Vernadsky. A History of Russia. (Yale University Press, 1969) (ISBN 0-300-00247-5).