St. Alexis was born in Rome into a wealthy family approximately in the 5th century. He adopted Christianity and went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He lived there as an almsman for 17 years. On his return to Rome he did not reveal his identity, but settled beneath a staircase of his father’s home. He lived another 17 years as anonymous beggar, and soon became renowned for his saintliness. When he was going to die the Pope hurried to his side, and Alexis disclosed to him who he really was. The legend of St. Alexis was very popular in the east, and at the end of the middle ages, in the west.
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