Procopius of Ustyug
Quick Facts
Biography
Procopius of Ustyug (Russian: Прокопий Устюжский or Святой Прокопий Любекский, German: Prokopius von Ustjug und Lübeck; 1243? — July 8, 1303(1303-07-08) in Veliky Ustyug) was a fool for Christ (yurodivy), a miracle worker, saint of Russian Orthodox Church, formerly a merchant from Lübeck. He was born in Germany, a Roman Catholic merchant who converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity during his travels.
Though he is sometimes identified as one Jacob Potharst, son of a Lübeck merchant, Procopius' worldly name, surname, date and place of birth are not reliably determined . In 1818 the universal celebration of the saint was established.
St. Procopius lived as yurodivy (Russian: юродивый) for 60 years. In 1290 he predicted the fall of meteorite near Veliky Ustyug, as well as tornado and conflagration.