Alexios Man of God

Venerable Alexios Man of God.

St. Alexios, the Man of God, was the son of a noble Roman family. On the night of his wedding he secretly left his home, choosing poverty for the sake of Christ, and lived for years as a beggar in the East, spending his days in fasting and prayer at the doors of the church.

Tradition relates that he returned at last to his father's house, where he lived unrecognized as a poor stranger, enduring contempt with patience; only at his death was it revealed who he was. A beloved image of hidden holiness, he is commemorated on March 17.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Alexios Man of God is commemorated on March 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 30 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Alexios, Alexis, Alekos, Alexei, Alex

Also commemorated on March 17

• Patrick of Ireland

  Hierarch, Πατρίκιος Ιρλανδίας

  Saint Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, enlightener of Ireland.

  Name days: Patrick, Patricia

• Theosteriktos the Confessor

  Venerable, Θεοστήρικτος

  Venerable Theosteriktos the Confessor, abbot of the Pelekete monastery.

• Marinos the Martyr

  Martyr, Μαρίνος

  Holy Martyr Marinos, the soldier.

  Name days: Marinos, Marinus

• Lazarus the Friend of Christ

  Saint, Λάζαρος ο φίλος του Χριστού

  Righteous Lazarus the Four-Days-Dead, friend of Christ and Bishop of Kition.

  Name days: Lazaros, Lazarus

• Paul the Monk-Martyr

  Martyr, Παύλος ο Οσιομάρτυς

  Holy Monk-Martyr Paul, burned for the holy icons.

• Makarios of Kalyazin

  Venerable, Μακάριος του Κολγιαζίν

  Venerable Makarios, abbot of Kalyazin, wonderworker.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.