Saint of the day July 17, 2025

St. Alexius was born in Rome in the fourth century, the only son of Euphemianus and Aglaë, who were wealthy and noble Christians of the senatorial class. He was educated in the faith and in the classical culture of his time. He developed a compassionate attitude from the charitable example of his parents, who fed and clothed the poor every day at their home.

When he reached adulthood, his parents arranged a marriage for him with a rich and virtuous girl named Marina. Alexius, however, had a secret desire to consecrate himself to God and to live a life of poverty and penance. On the day of his wedding, he obtained the consent of his bride to leave her and pursue his holy vocation. He gave her his ring and his belt as tokens of their spiritual union, and then fled from Rome in disguise.

Alexius traveled to Syria, where he settled near Edessa, a city famous for its devotion to the Mother of God. He lived in a hut next to a church dedicated to her, and begged for alms from the people. He shared what he received with other poor people and spent his time in prayer and fasting. He wore ragged clothes and hid his face with a hood, so that no one would recognize him or admire him for his sanctity.

He lived in this way for seventeen years, until one day a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary spoke to the people who were praying in the church. The icon pointed to Alexius as a “Man of God”, who was more worthy than anyone else to receive their veneration and respect. The people were astonished and curious about the identity of the beggar, who tried to escape from their attention.

Alexius decided to leave Edessa and return to Rome, hoping to remain unknown and hidden in his own city. He boarded a ship that was sailing to Italy, but on the way, he encountered a storm that threatened to sink the vessel. The sailors and passengers prayed fervently to God for their deliverance, and again the voice of the icon of Mary was heard, saying that God would spare them for the sake of His servant Alexius. The storm subsided, and the ship arrived safely at Rome.

Alexius went to his father’s house, but he was so changed by his years of hardship that no one recognized him, not even his parents or his wife. He asked for some charity from his father, who took pity on him and gave him a job as a servant. He assigned him a corner under the staircase as his quarters, where Alexius lived for another seventeen years. He endured the ill treatment of other servants, who mocked him and abused him, without complaining or revealing his identity. He continued to pray and teach catechism to children who came to him.

Alexius fell ill and sensed that his death was near. He wrote a note on a piece of parchment, in which he revealed his name, his family, and his life story. He asked for forgiveness from his parents and his wife and expressed his love for them. He also asked for their prayers for his soul.

He died peacefully in his corner under the staircase, clutching the note to his chest. When his father found him, he was shocked and saddened by the discovery of his son’s identity. He called for his wife and daughter-in-law, who came and wept over the body of Alexius. They also rejoiced at his holiness and thanked God for giving them such a son and husband.

The news of Alexius’ death spread quickly throughout Rome, and many people came to venerate his relics. Miracles were reported at his tomb, and he was soon canonized by popular acclaim. He is the patron saint of Alexians, beggars, belt makers, nurses, pilgrims, travelers, and Kalavryta.

Reflection

The feast of St. Alexius is a time to reflect on the life and example of this 4th-century saint and to draw inspiration from his humility, selflessness, and devotion to God. St. Alexius is known for his extreme humility and his willingness to give up his privileged lifestyle in order to serve the poor and sick. He lived as a beggar, relying on the charity of others to survive, and dedicated himself to helping those in need.
On the feast of St. Alexius, we can take time to reflect on the ways in which we can follow in his footsteps and serve others with love. This might involve volunteering at a soup kitchen, visiting the sick, or simply reaching out to someone in need. We can also pray to St. Alexius for his intercession, asking him to help us follow in his example of humility and selflessness.
As we celebrate the feast of St. Alexius, we can also take time to reflect on the ways in which we can be more attentive to the needs of others. By following the example of St. Alexius and other saints, we can strive to be more loving and selfless in our own lives and work to make a positive difference in the world around us. So, the feast of St. Alexius is a good occasion for all of us to renew our commitment to serve others and to follow in the footsteps of this great saint.