In this work, the author examines in detail the phenomenon of Christian foolishness, trying to answer the question: what motivates culture to create the image of a foolish person and how does it characterize it itself? The author consistently analyzes all the evidence found about Orthodox foolishness, starting from the time of Byzantium and ending with the XVII century, after which the evolution of this phenomenon began to be illustrative. You will learn about the forerunners and the breeding ground of foolishness. Read about monastic simulants, fornicators, beggars and "new theologians." You will understand what are the features of the old Russian "obscenity." And also get acquainted with the characteristics of the eastern and western peripheries of foolishness.