In 1588, a 10th chapel was added to this building to honor a Yurodivy, or “holy fool,” who was canonized that year

Friday’s Final Jeopardy clue transported viewers to 16th-century Russia, inviting them to uncover the identity of a famous building expanded in 1588 to honor a newly canonized “holy fool.”

What is St. Basil’s Cathedral?

The correct response—St. Basil’s Cathedral—ties together the architectural splendor of medieval Moscow with the spiritual reverence given to a unique figure in Russian Orthodoxy.

St. Basil’s Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, stands prominently in Moscow’s Red Square. Originally commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to celebrate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan, the cathedral was completed in 1561. It’s one of Russia’s most recognizable structures, famous for its vivid domes and labyrinthine layout of chapels. But its final transformation came nearly three decades later when a 10th chapel was added in honor of a man known as Basil the Blessed.

Who Was the “Holy Fool”?

The term Yurodivy refers to a tradition in Eastern Orthodoxy of “holy fools”—religious figures who acted eccentrically or provocatively as a form of divine inspiration. Basil the Blessed was one such figure, known for his wandering lifestyle, prophetic abilities, and public rebukes of the powerful, including Ivan the Terrible himself. Despite—or perhaps because of—his unconventional behavior, he was revered for his spiritual insight and considered a living saint by the people of Moscow.

Basil died in 1552, the same year the main cathedral was completed. However, he wasn’t officially canonized until 1588. That year, Tsar Feodor I ordered the construction of a 10th chapel on the north side of the cathedral to enshrine his remains. From that point forward, the entire complex became popularly known as St. Basil’s Cathedral, even though that was never its formal name.

The Architectural Significance

The addition of Basil’s chapel didn’t just expand the cathedral physically—it altered its identity and cemented its cultural significance. Designed in a style unique to Russian architecture, the new chapel was seamlessly integrated into the existing cluster of domes and towers. The cathedral now housed a total of ten chapels, each dedicated to a different saint or feast day.

Over time, the inclusion of Basil’s final resting place helped transform the building from a political symbol of victory into a sacred pilgrimage site. While the original structure was meant to glorify Ivan the Terrible’s military campaign, the addition in 1588 gave it a deeply spiritual layer that resonated with the Russian Orthodox faithful.

Enduring Legacy

St. Basil’s Cathedral has withstood centuries of upheaval—from the Napoleonic Wars to Soviet secularization campaigns. In 1929, it was secularized and turned into a museum, though its religious significance never fully disappeared. Despite various proposals to demolish it, including one from Stalin’s urban planners, the building survived and remains a symbol of Russian national identity.

Today, it’s not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a functioning church on select days. Visitors from around the world flock to Red Square to admire its vivid onion domes and learn about the mystic whose legacy gave the cathedral its name. The 10th chapel, built in 1588, stands as a quiet tribute to a man once dismissed as a madman but later embraced as a saint.

A Final Thought

The September 12 Final Jeopardy clue elegantly wove together history, religion, and architecture, challenging players to look beyond the obvious and recognize a key historical transformation. St. Basil’s Cathedral isn’t just a building—it’s a testament to faith, resilience, and the power of memory in shaping a nation’s landmarks. The 1588 addition of the chapel for Basil the Blessed sealed the cathedral’s place not only in Russia’s architectural heritage but also in the hearts of its people.