Orthodox believers celebrate December 9 Memorial Day of Reverend Alipius Stolpnyk. Alipius was born in the city of Adrianople, his mother was a Christian, and his father died early. Because of this, the mother gave the boy to be brought up by Bishop Feodor, and she herself, having lost her property, went to work in the church. As a young man, Alipius wanted to serve the Lord and for this he wanted to retire, but the bishop kept him close to him.

Alypius’ ascetic life began with a trip to Constantinople, in which he accompanied his lord. During the journey, in a dream, the monk saw a vision in which St. Martyr Euphemia and ordered to return home and build a church on the site of the abandoned pagan cemetery.

Alypius fulfilled the instruction. Next to the church, the monk erected a pillar for himself, on which he continuously prayed, instructed and taught for 53 years. For his firm faith and perseverance, the monk received from God the gift of healing the body and soul, as well as the ability to prophesy. Only for the last 14 years of his life, Alipius lay down instead of standing due to leg disease, but he still continued to thank the Creator. Over time, men’s and women’s monasteries “grew up” next to the pillar, which Alipius managed until his death, and he died at the age of 118.