Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis (26 November): A Saint Who Lived 53 Years on a Pillar

About this sermon

This video recounts the inspiring life of St. Alipius the Stylite, a remarkable ascetic who lived for 53 years atop a pillar in prayer, fasting, and intercession for the world. Born in Adrianople under the reign of Heraclius, Alipius from childhood showed signs of divine favor. Raised by Bishop Theodore, he grew in sacred learning and deep piety before seeking a monastic life dedicated entirely to Christ. Though prevented at first from leaving for the Holy Land, Alipius was shown through visions that God desired his spiritual struggles to take place in his homeland. There he founded a hermitage, raised a cross over a site formerly plagued by demonic presence, and began a life of rigorous asceticism. Eventually, guided by divine prompting and the needs of the faithful, St. Alipius mounted a pillar and embraced the extraordinary Stylite way of life. For over half a century he endured scorching heat, bitter cold, storms, and ceaseless prayer—becoming a living lampstand of holiness. His sanctity inspired the founding of both a men’s monastery and a women’s convent at the base of his pillar, where nuns and monks chanted the praises of God under his direction. After decades of spiritual warfare and intercession, paralysis overtook his body, yet he continued to praise God with the endurance of Job. He reposed at the age of 99, and miracles accompanied his passing. This powerful account reminds us of the heights of holiness possible when one gives their whole life to Christ. 00:00 – Introduction 00:21 – Birth of St. Alipius 00:45 – Death of his father & upbringing by Bishop Theodore 01:00 – Alipius becomes steward & deacon 01:14 – Desire for monastic life 01:26 – Blessing from his mother 01:45 – Attempt to leave for the Holy Land 02:00 – Vision of the holy places 02:18 – Finding a hermitage location 02:40 – Bishop blocks his spring 02:45 – Choosing a demon-haunted site 03:07 – Replacing the pagan statue with a cross 03:25 – Journey with the bishop to court 03:39 – Vision of St. Euphemia 03:51 – Building the chapel 04:09 – His initial hermit cell 04:27 – Two years of ascetic warfare 04:43 – Crowds seek his blessing 05:05 – Decision to mount the pillar 05:24 – His life atop the pillar 05:36 – Fifty-three years of asceticism 05:49 – Becoming a lamp to the world 06:02 – Disciples gather around him 06:12 – Foundation of the women’s convent 06:24 – His mother joins their community 06:52 – Foundation of the men’s monastery 06:58 – Choirs chanting day and night 07:19 – Paralysis and final years 07:32 – Patient suffering like Job 07:39 – His holy repose at age 99 Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #SaintAlipius #StyliteSaint #OrthodoxSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #ByzantineChurch #OrthodoxChristianity #Asceticism #DesertFathers #ChristianHistory #November26Saint #MonasticLife #PillarSaint #EasternO