St. Alexius, the Man of God

Venerable Alexius, the Man of God
(c. 375 – March 17, 411)

Feast day: in Bulgaria (on Mount Athos): March 17 (30) – Repose

Born in Rome into the imperial family of Theodosius the Great. Son of the senator Euphemian. Highly educated. Engaged to a noble maiden, he left her on the day of their wedding to devote himself to Christ. He became a monk in Syria. Hiding his identity, he lived as a beggar near the city of Edessa for 17 years. He decided to move to Cilicia, but after a storm and shipwreck he found himself in Rome. He settled at the gates of his parents’ palace, where they did not recognize him, and continued to beg.

Foreseeing his death, he wrote the story of his life on a scroll, which was found in his hand. When he died, Emperor Honorius and Pope Innocent I heard a voice simultaneously during the liturgy, commanding them to seek the Man of God in the house of Euphemian. They went, and from the scroll learned his story. His myrrh-streaming body was displayed for veneration for an entire week and then placed in a marble sarcophagus.

Many miracles and healings occurred through him.

His head is preserved to this day in the Great Lavra on Mount Athos. He helps in overcoming pride and vanity, in finding a new home, and in cases of insect bites. Patron of beggars.