St Alexis the Wonderworker, Metropolitan of Moscow (+1378)
Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, the Wonderworker, was born in 1292 (according to other information, in 1304) in Moscow, into the family of the boyar Theodore Byakont, who came from the circle of the princes of Chernigov.
God revealed to the hierarch his high calling early: when he was twelve, Eleutherius spread nets to catch birds, fell asleep in spite of himself, and suddenly clearly heard: “Alexis! Why do you labour in vain? You are to become a fisher of men.” From that day the boy came to love solitude, went often to church, and at fifteen decided to become a monk. In 1320 he settled in the Epiphany monastery in Moscow, where he spent more than twenty years in strict labours. Here his fellow strugglers and guides were the experienced elder Gerontius and Stephen, brother of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh. Then Metropolitan Theognostus commanded the future hierarch to leave the monastery and manage the Church’s judicial affairs. He carried out this duty for twelve years with the title of the metropolitan’s vicar. In 1350 the hierarch Theognostus consecrated Alexis Bishop of Vladimir, and after the metropolitan’s death, in 1354, he ascended his throne too. At that time disorder and unrest reigned in the Russian Church because of the claims of Roman, Metropolitan of Lithuania and Volhynia. In 1356, to put an end to the disorders and unrest, the hierarch went to Constantinople, to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Patriarch Callistus appointed Alexis Archbishop of Kiev and Great Russia, with the title of “Most Reverend Metropolitan and Exarch”.
Saint Alexis cared diligently for his flock, appointed bishops, founded monasteries, and settled relations with the khan of the Horde. More than once the saint was forced to travel to the Golden Horde himself. In 1357 the khan demanded that the grand prince send the hierarch to him to heal his blind wife. “To do this surpasses my strength,” said the blessed Alexis, “but I believe that He who healed the blind will not disregard a prayer offered in faith.” And indeed, through his prayer and the sprinkling of blessed water the khan’s wife was healed.
Saint Alexis lived seventy-eight years. He governed his see for twenty-four years and died on 12 February 1378. Fifty years later the saint’s incorrupt relics were miraculously uncovered, and from that time his veneration as a holy hierarch began.
