Alexios of New Skete

Alexios of New Skete, called "the elder of patience," with the secular name Alexander Koinis, son of John, was born in 1886 at Trikala in Corinthia, the homeland of Saint Gerasimos the New (d. 1579). In 1905 he went to America to work for five years. In 1910 he came to the hut of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the New Skete, to the company of the hieromonk Kyrillos, and was tonsured a monk in 1912. He was distinguished by obedience, humility and patience in illness.

For three years he suffered from cancer. He was healed through divine liturgies and supplications to the Mother of God and Saint Parthenios; he kept the icon of Saint Parthenios, protector of cancer patients, at his bedside. After his healing he again served tirelessly and willingly. He fell ill again and had large wounds on his leg, which he bore bravely. Once, coming up from the beautiful gardens of the hut, he said to his fellow monk Makarios (d. 2006): "I am weary now, let God take me to rest." He asked to die. After a few days his health worsened and he reposed in the Lord on 5 August 1963, having foreseen and foretold his end. At his funeral he asked that Metropolitan Cyril of Thessaliotis, from the same hut, be present; he was notified by telegram and came to preside at the service. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.