Saint Ioannis was born in the village of Pukhovo, near Ustyug. His parents were Savvas and Natalia. From a young age, he demonstrated extraordinary self-discipline, fasting with devotion and faith. Notably, he would eat nothing on Wednesdays and Fridays, while on the other days he limited himself to bread and water. His mother tried to persuade him to change his lifestyle, but he insisted that such discipline would free him from the burden of sin.
After his father’s death, his mother became a nun and later the abbess of a monastery. Ioannis, recognizing the vanity of worldly life, appeared in the town as a “fool for Christ.” He resided in a small hut attached to the church. He spent the nights in prayer, while during the day he pretended to be mad, enduring mockery and insults from the people. He also endured hunger and thirst.
The saint performed numerous miracles through his prayers. Among others, he healed Princess Maria of a severe fever. In 1494, aware that his life was coming to an end, he prayed for peace and rest with God, making the sign of the cross upon his body. Thus, he entrusted his soul to the Lord. He was buried near the cathedral, where, to this day, miracles continue to be performed with the grace of his holy relics.
