Venerable Alypius was a distinguished iconographer and imitator of Saint Luke the Evangelist. Not only did he depict the saints of the Church in the icons he created, but he also embodied their virtues through his own life.
Following the guidance of Saints Anthony the Great and Theodore, he was sent to study under Greek iconographers. He worked for the glory of God without seeking personal reward, offering his gift to the Church. He cared for the old icons and used the proceeds to buy materials for the restoration of other sacred objects, for almsgiving, and for the needs of the monastery. His life was filled with prayer, asceticism, and humility.
The abbot Nikon, seeing Alypius’s virtues, ordained him a priest. The saint began performing miracles and healing the sick who approached him in faith. Among them, there was a leper who, after confessing his sins, was freed from his illness through the saint’s prayers and blessing. He also healed a child born blind, thus glorifying the power of God.
Once, Saint Alypius was falsely accused by two monks who had misappropriated money intended for materials and icon creation. When the abbot called him to account, it was seen that the icons had been completed in a miraculous way. The monks were expelled, and the saint was recognized for his virtue.
Shortly before his death, he prophesied that the icon he had not yet finished would be completed before the feast day. Indeed, an angel of the Lord completed the depiction within three hours, while the icon was found glorified in its place.
Saint Alypius fell asleep in the Lord on August 17. His body was buried in the cave of Saint Anthony.
His memory is honored by the Church on the same day.
