March: Day 17: Teaching 1: Venerable Alexios the Man of God

March: Day 17: Teaching 1:
Venerable Alexios the Man of God
 
(In What Ways Should We Imitate Alexios the Man of God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Venerable Alexios the Man of God, whose memory is celebrated today, lived in Rome and was the son of noble and pious parents, Euphemianos and Aglaida. Zealously helping the poor, enjoying all the blessings of the world, his parents often grieved over the fact that they had no children, no son who would be a support for them in old age. Finally, the Lord heard their prayer and granted them a son, whom they named Alexios. Brought up in strict piety, Alexios from his youth subjected himself to deprivations, observed strict fasting, wore a hair shirt on his body and constantly desired to devote himself to monasticism. When his parents married him to a noble maiden, on the very day of the wedding, being alone with her, he gave her a gold ring and a precious belt and said: "Keep this, and may God be between you and I." Then, retiring to his room, he took off his wedding clothes and, taking some money, disappeared from his parents' house in simple rags. After long wanderings, he arrived in Persia and there, in the city of Edessa, settled at the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos. He lived like a beggar, ate from what was given to him and every Sunday received the Holy Mysteries.

Meanwhile, Alexios' parents and his young wife searched for him for a long time and earnestly prayed to God for his return. Alexios, living in Edessa, struggled in extreme poverty and deep humility. One of the ministers of the temple once saw the Mother of God in a dream, who said to him: "Bring the man of God into my church, for his prayer ascends to heaven and the Spirit of God rests upon him." When the minister was perplexed as to who was being spoken of, the Mother of God, appearing to him again, pointed to a beggar sitting at the doors of the temple. From that time on, everyone began to show Alexios the greatest respect; but he, withdrawing from glory, went to another country.

Carried by a storm to the shores of Rome by the providence of God, Alexios returned to his native city and began to live near his parents' house, hiding from his parents that he was their son. His father, not recognizing him and considering him a beggar, gave him alms, which Alexios shared with others. When the Lord foretold Alexios his imminent death, he recorded his life, and in this record sought forgiveness from his parents and calmly awaited death.

Once, the Roman Pope Innocent, celebrating the liturgy, heard the words: "Seek the man of God, who wants to leave the body, so that he may pray for the city." Then again, during the all-night vigil, a voice was heard: "Seek the man of God in the house of Euphemianos." When the steward could not indicate such a person, then Emperor Honorius and the Pope themselves went to the house of Euphemianos. When they arrived, the servant of the house, entering the room, asked Euphemianos: "Is not the beggar whom you entrusted to me the man of God? He spends the whole night in prayer, keeps a strict fast and endures everything with meekness." When they went to the hut where Venerable Alexios lived, they found him already dead. In his hands was a charter (i.e. a handwritten scroll), and his face shone with a wondrous light. Euphemianos wanted to take the charter, but he could not take it out of the hands of the dead man. Then he returned to the house and said to the emperor and the pope: "I have found the one we are looking for, but I found him already dead." The body of the dead man was carried out of the hut and, when the charter was read, Euphemianos recognized his son in the beggar and everyone shed tears of joy. The bier with the body of the dead man was placed in the square and everyone came to venerate the body of the man of God, who, out of love for God, despised all the joys of the world and served God with humility and poverty.

II. Should we offer the pious life of Alexios the Man of God as an example for everyone to follow? No, that would not be in the spirit of the Gospel itself. Not all can be Abrahams to sacrifice Isaac; not all can be Alexios to rush from the wedding crown straight for the crown of a strict ascetic who has left the world, his father's house, his young wife, and all the comforts of earthly life. "He that is able to receive it, let him receive it" (Matt. 19:12). But, not having the ability to imitate some of the exploits of the holy men of God in all their fullness and, one might say, perfectly, we must approach them - as far as is possible for us - in their love for God and contempt for worldly good things.

a) God has blessed you with wealth and possessions, whether inherited from your ancestors or acquired by yourself; use them, but do not use them for evil - your own and others. Make earthly goods the means for acquiring heavenly goods. Show yourself in a small way what God does in great things, that is, become a benefactor of the poor and needy; then, even with wealth, or, better to say, for your very wealth, you will be a man of God: for all those who have been benefited by you will glorify, for your sake, the Father, Who is in heaven.

b) The path of dignity and honor is open before you; follow it, but follow a straight and pure path, without using any unworthy means for your exaltation, without sacrificing your conscience for this: and the more you rise above your fellows, the more you ought to humble yourself in your spirit, using your height to protect and support the weak and oppressed. As one invested with the trust of those in power, speak the truth that another is not able to speak, stand for the truth even when everyone abandons it, always and everywhere show yourself an example of selflessness and self-sacrifice for the good of society, patiently endure slander and envy; then you, and with your height and dignity, or, better to say, for this very height and dignity, honestly achieved, righteously maintained, turned to good, you will be a man of God: for everyone will, for your sake, glorify the name of God.

c) You have entered into marriage, have bound yourself by the bonds of matrimony; enjoy the pure joys of family life, but do not forget that you are in union with more than just your spouse, that you were united to Christ in baptism, and that your soul has been betrothed to Him as to the Bridegroom, and the wedding supper in His kingdom awaits you. Remembering this, behave as befits one who must one day be one spirit with the Lord. If your children are born not in the lust of the flesh, but in the spirit of faith, and are brought up in the fear of God; if your household is preserved from vices and debauchery; if your home is like a church - everything in it fears God, does righteousness, observes peace and purity: then you are both in marriage and for marriage a man of God! Amen.  

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.