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Venerable Alypius the Stylite 12/9/2013
He was born in the city of Adrianople in the province of Paphlagonia. From his early age he was devoted to the service to God. He served as a deacon of Theodore, the Bishop of the city. Yet, longing for life in solitude, prayer and contemplation, Alympius withdrew to an old Greek cemetery outside the city, which struck fear into the people for the frequent demonic apparitions. There he struck a cross and built a church dedicated to Saint Euthymia, who appeared in his dream. Alongside the church he erected a high pillar, climbed on it and spent there fifty-three years in fasting and prayer. Neither mocking of the people, nor the demonic attacks could make him leave the pillar or change his mind. Particularly by the demons did this Saint endure great many torments. They not only tried to frighten him with various apparitions, but also pelted him with stones not leaving him in peace day and night for a long time. But Alypius bravely guarded himself from the demonic powers by the Cross and the Name of Jesus Christ. Finally the demons gave up and left him be and people came to esteem him and come to him asking for his prayer, comfort, counsel and healing. Around his pillar there gradually arose two monasteries: on the one side – a men’s monastery, and on the other side – a women’s monastery. In the women’s monastery lived his mother and sister. Saint Alypius guided the monks and nuns from his pillar by his own example and his word and shone to all as a heavenly light, showing them the path to salvation. This man of God was filled with such grace that he was often shining with heavenly light that rose from him as a pillar towards heavens. He was a glorious and powerful wonderworker in his lifetime and after his death. He lived for more than a hundred years and fell asleep in the Lord in the year 640, during the reign of the Emperor Heraclius. The head of his holy relics is placed in the Monastery of Koutloumousion on Mount Athos.
