Saint Alexius is known for his life of sacrifice and dedication, which made him a symbol of protection and refuge in times of distress. For this reason, many people entrust themselves to him when they are in need.
Today we want to talk about Saint Alexius, why he is a saint to whom we can entrust ourselves for immediate protection , and how we can pray to him to grant us that protection.
Prayer to San Alejo
Saint Alexius is known as the patron saint against enemies and adverse situations. His status as a protector is due to various reasons related to his life and the symbolic value attributed to him in Christian tradition.
In Christian tradition, saints are intercessors before God, and it is common to entrust oneself to them for help in need. Saint Alexius is considered the patron saint of the destitute because of his life of poverty and his dedication to helping those in need. His feast day is celebrated on July 17th in various cultures, a day marked by religious activities in his honor.
The life of Saint Alexis
According to his story, Alexius was the only son of two Roman patricians. He was betrothed to a virtuous woman, and on their wedding night, he persuaded her to abandon the marriage and dedicate herself to a life of faith and piety. After that, he set sail for northern Syria, then Laodicea, Edessa… where he lived by begging . It was during this time that he had a vision of the Virgin Mary.
Seventeen years after that vision, Alexius returned to Rome and went to his family home to beg for alms. However, no one recognized him there, and he continued his life of begging, praying, and teaching catechism to children. He wrote down that period of his life, when he slept under the stairs at the entrance of his family home, begged, and taught the people with whom he had shared a roof and food years before. Knowing that his death was near, Alexius decided to write his story. He explained the reasons why he had renounced his wedding and the journeys he had made since that wedding night.
It is said that after his death, the letter in which he recounted his story remained closed in his fist, and his hand only opened when his father tried to undo it. The father was deeply moved upon reading the letter and finally recognizing his son. Other traditions also tell that Saint Alexius died poor in a hospital in Edessa, and before dying, he revealed that he came from a noble family but had rejected marriage to dedicate himself to God.
The image below, which is the cover of the article, shows a summary of the life of Saint Alexius.
Cult of the saint
The veneration of Saint Alexius began in Syria and spread throughout the Byzantine Empire around the 9th century. His name began to appear in Western liturgical books by the end of the 10th century.
What's curious about this saint is that his life is more legend than anything else, which is why he was removed from the list of saints in 1969. It's possible that the life of the one we know as Saint Alexius was based on some Eastern ascetic from Edessa who lived as a beggar and was venerated as a saint.
Despite being removed from the General Calendar of Saints, many people continue to entrust themselves to the saint, asking for his protection in their prayers. You can find more about these kinds of supplications and devotions in the prayer to Saint Alexius and also in the very effective prayer to Saint Alexius.
Prayer for immediate protection
There are many prayers or petitions we can offer to different saints. Sometimes simply speaking to them and asking in our own words is more than enough. However, if you are looking for a ready-made prayer to Saint Alexius, here is one you can use:
«Glorious Saint Alexis, defender of those who suffer and protector of those who seek refuge in you, today I approach you with faith and humility. I ask you to protect me from the dangers that threaten me, from bad intentions and from all evil that may approach me.
Remove from my life everything that causes anguish, fear, and pain. Surround me with your mantle of light and peace, and assure me that with your help, I can face any adversity.
I beg you, Saint Alexis, to give me the strength to overcome obstacles and guide me on the path of justice and truth. Keep my enemies at bay and give them the wisdom to reflect on their actions.
Thank you, Saint Alexius, for your intercession and protection. I trust that you will always be by my side, helping me find the serenity and security I so desperately need. Amen.
