Venerable Arsenius of Novgorod, fool-for-Christ (1570)

Having heard the voice of Thine apostle Paul, saying: We are foolish for Christ's sake, Thy servant Arsenius, O Christ the God, did love on earth the life of the foolish for Thy sake. Wherefore in venerating his memory we entreat Thee, O Lord, to save our souls.

Desirous of the heavenly beauty, the low delights of the body hast thou, O blessed Arsenius, left alone and passed away, after having led a life utterly void of any desire for the things of this vain world, like unto that of the angels; together with these do thou incessantly intercede before Christ the God for us all.