Saint Ioann of Ustyuzh

John of Ustyug (died May 29, 1494) was a saint and a fool-for-Christ of Ustyug. He was born near the Trinity-Gleden Monastery in the village of Pukhovo. His parents, Savva and Maria, were wealthy farmers who relocated to the town of Orlets on the Yug River. After being widowed around 1480, his mother took monastic vows at the Orlov Convent under the name Natalia and became its abbess. Following his mother's death, he began his life as a fool-for-Christ in Ustyug. During his lifetime, he was granted the gift of performing miracles. He died young on May 29, 1494, and was buried near the Cathedral of the Dormition. Subsequently, a wooden church was built over his relics, followed by a stone cathedral dedicated to him between 1656 and 1663. At his birthplace in the village of Pukhovo, a chapel, a wooden church (1674), and stone churches (1760–1764) were constructed. A religious procession from the Gleden Monastery took place there on Whit Monday. He was canonized by the Macarian Council in 1547. The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Blessed John of Ustyug on May 29 (June 11) with a six-stichera service.