Saint Alexy Mechev was born on March 17, 1859 in Moscow, into the pious family of the regent of the Cathedral choir of Chudovsky. His birth was connected with the special blessing of St. Filaret, Metropolitan of Moscow: when the mother of the future saint was in danger during a difficult birth, Father Alexy turned to the saint with a request for prayer. The saint comforted him and told him that a boy would be born, who should be named Alexy, in honor of Saint Alexy, the man of God.
Since childhood, Alexey has been distinguished by a soft heart, peacefulness, kindness and a desire to comfort others. His family called him Lenya, and for his quiet, focused, slightly unusual childlike seriousness, his relatives nicknamed him "blessed Alyosha." He studied at the Zaikonospassky College, then at the Moscow Theological Seminary. Alexey himself dreamed of becoming a doctor, wanting to serve people, but according to his mother's will, he chose the path of the priesthood. Later, he realized that it was pastoral ministry that had become his true vocation.
In 1880, Alexy Mechev was appointed a psalmist in the Church of the Sign. There he had to go through a difficult school of humility: the abbot treated him harshly and unfairly, but Alexy endured everything without a murmur. Later, he recalled this time with gratitude, believing that it was then that he learned to fight self-esteem and accept resentment as a spiritual test.
In 1884, he married Anna Petrovna Molchanova, who became his faithful assistant. In the same year, he was ordained a deacon, and on March 19, 1893, he was ordained a priest at the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Klenniki on Maroseyka. The parish was small, and the church was little known, but Father Alexy introduced daily worship in it. For many years, he served in an almost empty church, not discouraging and not abandoning his prayer work. Over time, people learned that in the church on Maroseika you can confess, receive communion, receive comfort and advice on any day.
After the death of his wife in 1902, Father Alexy experienced deep grief. During this period, he met with the righteous John of Kronstadt, who told him not to shut himself in sorrow, but to go out to people, enter into someone else's grief and take it upon himself. These words became a spiritual obedience for Father Alexy. Since that time, his pastoral ministry has been especially fully revealed.
People came to him exhausted by troubles, family quarrels, despair, sinful habits and failures in life. My father greeted everyone with love and compassion. He did not rebuke harshly, did not humiliate, did not pressure with instructions, but spoke simply, gently and in such a way that the person himself began to see his wrongdoing and found a way to repentance. The Lord gave Father Alexy clairvoyance: he often knew the circumstances of the lives of people who came to him, their secret sorrows and doubts, but out of humility he hid this gift.
Father Alexy took care not only of adults, but also of children: at the temple he opened a parish school and an orphanage for orphans and children of poor parents. He taught the Law of God, blessed the good beginnings of his spiritual children, and promoted the revival of ancient Russian icon painting through his spiritual daughter Mary.
After the 1917 revolution, the number of parishioners on Maroseika increased especially. People who had survived the collapse of their former lives came to the temple, seeking faith, meaning and spiritual support. Father Alexy continued to serve, confess, comfort and instruct. He was distinguished by deep humility, unceasing prayer, simplicity and a complete lack of desire for honors.
Saint Alexy Mechev died on June 9/22, 1923 in Vereya. Many clergy and laity gathered to say goodbye to him. During his lifetime, he told his spiritual children to come to his grave with their troubles and needs. And after his death, many received help through his prayers.
In 2000, Archpriest Alexy Mechev was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church for ecclesiastical veneration. Today his relics are in Moscow, in the church of St. Nicholas in Klenniki.