OUR MOTHER OF EDESSA (ASIA MINOR)

 St. Alexis is reputed to have been the son of a prominent Roman senator. Living in Rome in the 4th Century, Alexis was given an excellent education but he left Rome in secret 

    and took ship to Syria. He then journeyed to Edessa where he began living the life of a common beggar at the entrance to a Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 

    Our Mother of Edessa. Alexis was content to live a beggar’s life, surviving off the meager alms he obtained each day after praying before the statue of the Blessed Virgin at 

    the shrine. He spent much of the rest of his time caring for the sick. One day the statue venerated by Alexis spoke to a sacristan, defending the saint while also 

    revealing that Alexis was a “Man of God” and making known his holiness to all the people of Edessa.





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