ALYPIUS, STYLITE, St. — Born at Adrianople in Paphlagonia at the beginning of the 6th century. Orphaned of his father at the age of three, he was presented by his mother to the city’s bishop, who took charge of his education. Ordained deacon, he served as steward. Prevented from embracing the monastic life in the East, at the age of thirty he withdrew to a solitary life near his native city, spending two years in a cell; then he mounted a pillar, where he remained for sixty-seven years, practicing the most severe austerities. He died a centenarian during the reign of Heraclius. At the foot of the pillar there gathered numerous disciples of both sexes, who formed two communities. Alypius’s life was written by one of his disciples who is said to have witnessed his miracles. Feast: November 26.
ALIPIO, STILITA, SANTO
BIBL.: H. Delchaye, Les Saints Stylites, Bruxelles 1932, pp. LXXVI-LXXX and 148-89 (critical edition of the biography).