Vitalis of Gaza was a 6th-century monk and hermit who lived near Gaza City. After spending his early life at the monastery of Seridus, he traveled to Alexandria at the age of sixty. He became known for a unique way of supporting local prostitutes, working as a day laborer and using his earnings to visit them. According to tradition, he spent these nights awake in prayer rather than engaging in physical intimacy. He died in Alexandria around 625 AD after being struck in the head by a man who misunderstood his intentions.
Life and work
While living in Alexandria, Vitalis sought to assist women working in the city's brothels. He would find their locations and use his daily wages to visit them. To avoid suspicion, he would loudly announce his destination when approaching their homes. When people questioned his behavior, he defended his actions by stating that, as a monk, he possessed a human body just like anyone else.
Veneration and legacy
He is recognized as a saint in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. He serves as a patron for day-laborers and prostitutes. The Catholic Church commemorates him on January 11, while the Eastern Orthodox Church observes his feast on both January 11 and April 22. Legend says that during his funeral, former prostitutes participated in the procession with candles and lanterns.