Andrew of Constantinople

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Andrew of Constantinople (Andrew, the Fool or Andrew, Fool-for-Christ-sake, greek Andreas ho Salos), (died in 936 A.D.) - Christian saint of the 10th century A.D. He is known among the saints, who pretended to be Fools for Christ.

Andrew, a slav by birth, was a slave of Theognostus, who was serving as a bodyguard in Constantinople^[1]. Later he decided to take upon himself an ascetic feat of Fool for Christ, which he beared with humility and patience.

By some sources Andrew had a vision of Most Holy Theotokos in the Vlahern church of Constantinople, which took place during the difficult time, when the city was surrounded by enemy troops (by some sources, arabs)^[1]^[2].

Andrew and his disciple Epiphanus, by their words, saw the Holy Virgin surrounded by many angels and Saints, who was praying and extending Her homophor (protection) over the faithful. After that, Constantinople was saved from the invasion, the enemies retreted. This vision and the miraculous escape inspired the establishment of one of the most known Eastern Orthodox holidays - The Protection of the Mother of God^[3].

The saint died at the age of 66 in 936. His memory is commemorated by Eastern Orthodox communities on October 15 (Oct. 2 old calendar).