Venerable Alexis the Man of God

Commemorated on March 17.

After Liturgy the Voice was heard again in the temple: “Seek the Man of God in the house of Euphemianus.” All hastened there, but the saint was already dead. His face shone like the face of an angel, and his hand clasped the paper, and they were unable to take it. They placed the saint’s body on a cot, covered with costly coverings. The Pope and the Emperor bent their knees and turned to the saint, as to one yet alive, asking him to open his hand. And the saint heard their prayer. When the letter was read, the righteous one’s wife and parents tearfully venerated his holy relics.

The body of the saint was placed in the center of the city. The emperor and the Pope carried the body of the saint into the church, where it remained for a whole week, and then was placed in a marble crypt. A fragrant myrrh began to flow from the holy relics, bestowing healing upon the sick.

The venerable relics of Saint Alexis, the Man of God, were buried in the church of Saint Boniface. The relics were uncovered in the year 1216.

The Life of Saint Alexis, the Man of God, was always very popular in Russia.

Troparion

You budded from a famous and glorious root;
you blossomed from a royal and illustrious city, O supremely wise Alexis;
you disdained everything on earth as corruptible and fleeting,
and you hastened to Christ the Master.
Always entreat Him to save our souls.

Kontakion

Today with hymns and praise
we celebrate the feast of Alexis the blessed and we cry aloud:
Rejoice, gladsome adornment of the righteous!