The Monk Alexy, a man of God, was born in Rome into the family of the noble and pious Senator Euthymianus and his wife Aglaida. For a long time they had no children, but through Aglaida's prayers, the Lord gave them a son, who was named Alexy, the "protector." Since childhood, he was distinguished by meekness, diligence in learning and piety.
When Alexy reached adulthood, his parents decided to marry him to a girl of noble origin. However, on the night after the wedding, he secretly left home, renouncing worldly life. Before leaving, he gave his wife his ring and belt, asking her to keep them until the time when the Lord would renew them both.
Traveling East, Alexy arrived in Edessa, where the Miraculous Image of the Savior was kept. Here he distributed his possessions, dressed in sackcloth and began to live like a beggar at the church of the Most Holy Theotokos. He ate only bread and water, prayed incessantly, especially at night, and received communion every Sunday. He spent seventeen years like this.
Meanwhile, his parents and wife searched for him unsuccessfully. Even after visiting Edessa, they did not recognize Alexy, giving him alms as a beggar. Years later, the inhabitants of the city began to revere him as a righteous man, and, avoiding fame, Alexy secretly left Edessa.
By God's providence, he returned to Rome, but without revealing his name, he came to his father's house as a wanderer. Euthymian received him, gave him shelter in the hall, and ordered him to be fed from the master's table. However, the servants mocked and humiliated him. Alexy endured everything with patience, continuing a strict life of prayer and abstinence. So another seventeen years passed.
Anticipating his imminent demise, Alexy wrote his life and discovered secrets in it known only to his family. Shortly after his death, a voice from heaven sounded in the church of St. Peter the Apostle, commanding them to seek a man of God so that he would pray for Rome. It was revealed that he was in the house of Euthymian.
When the father hurried to the beggar, he had already passed away. His face was beaming, and he was holding a scroll in his hand. At the request of Emperor Honorius and Pope Innocent I, the saint's hand opened and the scroll was read. Then his family recognized him as their son and spouse.
The body of the saint was brought out for worship, and many people flocked to him, receiving healing. The dumb began to speak, the blind regained their sight, and the sick were healed. With great honor, the body of Saint Alexy was buried on March 17, 411. His life became one of the most revered in the Christian tradition and is especially loved in Russia.