Orthodox Icon of the Repose of St. Alexis the Man of God

The Repose of Saint Alexis the Man of God Please do not deep-link to any of our icons.

March 17th
Troparion (Tone 4)
Thou didst bud from a famous and glorious root; thou didst blossom from a royal and illustrious city, O supremely wise Alexis; thou didst disdain all on earth as corruptible and fleeting, and didst hasten to Christ the Master. Ever entreat Him to save our souls.

Alexis was the only son of godly, noble and wealthy parents: Euphemianus & his wife, Agalais. When he was of age, he was compelled to be married. But on his wedding night, he ran away & sailed to Edessa in Mesopotamia, where the Holy Napkin, bearing the Face of Jesus, was kept. He venerated this Face, donned simple clothes and lived in poverty for 17 years there, constantly praying on the porch of the Church of the Mother of God. His reputation grew as a holy man. He fled from the praise of men by taking a ship bound for Laodicea. The ship was blown off course, and he was taken right to Rome. Receiving this as a call from God, he returned to his parents' home and lived as a hermit in a shack in the courtyard. He did this for 17 years without his parents or his bride (who lived there as well) knowing who he was. He graciously suffered abuse by the servants. Just before he died, he wrote down who he was on a sheet of paper and clutched it in his hand. He breathed his last on March 17, 411. Immediately there was a voice heard in the Church of the Holy Apostles, where the Patriarch and the Emperor were, saying, "Look for the Man of God." The Emperor & Pope along with their whole entourage were led by the Spirit to the courtyard of Euphemianus' house. They found Alexis dead in the shack, his face shining like the sun. His parents and his bride were comforted by the discovery when they realized how he had been glorified. Sweet myrrh flowed from his body and many who touched him were healed. He was buried in a coffin of marble and emerald.

This Icon is from the "Imperial" Menologion, 11th century, Constantinople. It is now in the State Historical Museum, Moscow, Russian Federation.

Order # pdg-09