Saint Alexius of Rome

Confessor, Man of God
(5th century)

Saint Alexius is one of the most popular saints of the early medieval Church, venerated both in the East and in the West, and his story, though largely legendary in its present form, preserves truths about the spirit of radical renunciation that has always attracted souls in every age. According to his Acts, which exist in both Greek and Syriac versions and were widely read throughout the medieval world, Alexius was the son of a wealthy Roman senator named Euphemian, a man of great generosity who kept three tables at his house, one for pilgrims, one for widows and orphans, and one for himself.

On the night of his wedding to a noble Roman girl, Alexius spoke to his new bride of the things of God and then, moved by a sudden inspiration, left her, left his family, left all his wealth, and went on pilgrimage to Edessa in Syria, where he placed himself under the protection of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary that was venerated in that city. There he lived for seventeen years as a beggar, distributing in alms whatever was given to him and spending his days in prayer and his nights watching in the church.

When his holiness became known in Edessa and he began to be honoured by the people, he fled again, intending to go to Tarsus. A storm at sea drove his ship to Rome, and he decided to remain in his father's house, where he was not recognised, and there he lived for another seventeen years in a small space under the stairs, sustained only by bread and water, enduring the mockery of the servants, and praying without ceasing.

He died there, and at his death the church bells of Rome are said to have rung by themselves. He was found holding a document that told his story, and both his father, his mother, and his wife were present to receive the news. He is venerated as a model of the complete abandonment of worldly goods and human relationships for the love of God, and his feast is observed on July 17th.