Alypius the Stylite was a seventh-century deacon and ascetic who lived in the Byzantine Empire. Born in Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia, he sought a life of solitude and eventually resided atop a pillar near a church he constructed in honor of Saint Euphemia. As a prominent spiritual guide, he directed both male and female monastic communities established near his pillar. He is remembered as a significant monastic founder and a holy intercessor for those seeking fertility.
Ascetic life
After being denied permission to live as a hermit by Bishop Theodore, Alypius built a pillar beside a church dedicated to Saint Euphemia. He spent fifty-three years standing upon this pillar. When his feet could no longer support him, he lay on his side for the final fourteen years of his life. He died in 640 at the age of 118.
Veneration
He is honored in the Roman Catholic Church and various Eastern traditions, including the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches, on November 26. His remains were placed in the Church of Saint Euphemia, and his head is kept at the Koutloumousiou Monastery on Mount Athos. He is considered one of the three major stylite ascetics.