Church of Venerable Alexius, the Man of God, in Krylatskoye
St. Alexius, a man of God, was born in Rome around 370 from noble and pious parents. His father, Senator Euthymian, was known for his merciful soul and kind deeds, arranging three tables daily for the poor, travelers and orphans. For a long time they had no children, which overshadowed their happiness, but the prayers and faith of Aglaida, his mother, were heard by God, and soon Alexy was born. In infancy, he was given a name that means “protector.” He grew up to be a healthy, intelligent, and virtuous youth. When Alexy reached adulthood, his parents decided to marry him to a girl of the royal family, beautiful and rich. However, on the day of the wedding, after he gave his wife a gold ring with the promise that “the Lord will be between us,” Alexy left her and the house, going to Laodicea in Syria. From there he reached Edessa, where he became a beggar, begging at the church of the Most Holy Theotokos, and also received communion and prayed daily. His family, worried about his disappearance, searched for him, even visited Edessa, not recognizing their son in him, and, without receiving a revelation about his location, resigned themselves to his fate. Alexy stayed in Edessa for 17 years, begging and praying. After the Most Pure appeared to the church watchman and revealed who this beggar was, Alexy secretly left the city, deciding to return to Rome. His ship was driven back by a storm to the Italian coast, and he decided to turn to his father Euthymian, believing that he would not recognize him. Accepted as a beggar, Alexy lived in his father’s house, continuing his ascetic exploits until envious servants began to insult him. Alexy endured this with patience and humility, eating only bread and water and continuing night prayers. Time passed, and 17 years later, when he felt his death approaching, he wrote his life story, including the secret words he said to his wife. On Sunday after the Divine Liturgy, a voice from above was miraculously heard in St. Peter’s Cathedral, calling for a “man of God” to be found to pray for Rome. Honorius, Emperor of Rome (395-423), and Pope Innocent I (402-417) appealed to Euthymian, but he knew nothing about his son’s whereabouts. When the servant informed about Alexy’s righteousness, Euthymian hurried, but did not find him alive. His body shone with a wonderful light, and despite the requests of the emperor and the pope, Alexy opened his hand, in which a scroll with a biography was tightly clutched. Many people who witnessed this event were cured of various diseases. The holy remains of Alexy were transferred with honors and buried in the church of St. Boniface on March 17, 411. In 1216, the relics of the saint were found again, and his life became one of the most revered in Russia.
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