VALAAM

Elder Alexis (1834-1900)


Elder Alexis

Beginning on Valaam, as a devoted disciple of Abbot Damascene, saw that Elder Alexis ended his stern but humble life in sober prayer and asceticism. He rapidly grew strong in prayer because he "took care to converse peacefully with God," as he used to say. Much was demanded of the Elders time, espcially when he became a confessor to the brethren, yet he always prayed zealously. He never abandoned his prayer, and fulfilled his dream to live a secluded life in a skete. By the end of his life he radiated the beauty of an angel. When serving in the altar, this great elder would try to hide this trait by pretending to be vain and distracted. Elder Alexis ended his life, as one of the pillars of Valaam asceticism, in a state of full preparation for the other world. Elder Alexis discovered the relics of Elder Cleopas, a disciple of St. Paisius Velichkovsky, who himself was buried in All Saints' Skete. The relics were found to be fragrant, like those of a saint of God. Elder Alexis requested that he to be buried at the skete, beside Elder Cleopas which was granted when he reposed in the fragrance of sanctity. The great mystic, Archbishop Theophan of Poltava, testified to Fr. Alexis' great gift of clairvoyance, which he witnessed when he visited Valaam for spiritual guidance and consolation.

Text from Valaam Patericon Book of Days
(St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, Platina California)


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