Venerable · 4th–5th century
Alexis the Man of God
Venerable Alexis the Man of God
New Calendar March 17 Old Calendar March 30
Why they are a saint
Alexis the Man of God fled marriage and lived unrecognized as a beggar in his own home; a type of hidden holiness. The years given for this life are 4th–5th century. His feast keeps the memory of that ascetic path. This memory is kept in the whole Orthodox Church.
Life
Saint Alexis was born in Rome to the pious and almsgiving Euphemianus and Aglais, long childless, in answer to their prayers. As a young man he fasted and secretly wore a hair shirt. On his wedding night he gave his bride his ring and belt and secretly sailed to Edessa, where he gave away all he had and lived as a beggar under the porch of the church of the Theotokos, giving away most of the alms he received.
After seventeen years the Mother of God revealed his holiness to the sacristan of the church. Later he journeyed back to Rome, where he lived unrecognized in his father's household. After his death he was recognized; his body was honoured by the emperor and the Pope, myrrh flowed from his relics, and they were buried in the church of Saint Boniface.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for spiritual consolation, hidden holiness. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Alexis the Man of God, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Metropolitan Alexis of Moscow; Alexis Toth.