Alejandro, the monk

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He is 1.79 cm tall, has pale skin and very dark brown eyes, he has dark brown hair and a short beard, he has a good physique, but it is because of genetics.

traditional monk costume scheme

In a small, cold city, a boy named Alejandro lived in a house where love seemed like a distant dream. His father, blinded by anger and alcohol, took out his frustration on him, while his mother, too afraid to intervene, remained silent. At school, things were no better; his classmates humiliated and beat him for no reason. Alejandro felt like he had no refuge in the world.

One afternoon, after another day of insults and shoves, Alejandro wandered the streets without direction. His feet led him to a park where, sitting on a bench, he heard a group of elderly men talking. They were men with serene faces and white beards, speaking calmly about someone named Jesus Christ and something called the Orthodox Church.

At first, Alejandro didn't pay much attention. He thought they were just old men talking about religion, something he had never been interested in. But when he got home and sat in his dark and lonely room, he remembered their words: "In Christ, we find peace, even in suffering."
For the first time in his life, he felt a spark of curiosity.

He got up and turned on his old computer. He typed "Orthodox Church" into the search bar. The images that appeared left him breathless: majestic churches, golden icons, and monks dressed in black robes with faces full of peace. He kept reading for hours, discovering stories of saints who had suffered but never lost their faith. He felt something inside him, something he couldn’t explain.

That night, he made a decision. He packed his few belongings into a backpack and, without looking back, left his house. He knew he couldn't stay in that city; he had to find a place where he could be free. He searched for the most distant monastery he could find and took a bus with the little money he had.

After a long journey, he arrived at the gates of an ancient monastery deep in the mountains. He knocked nervously, and when the great wooden door opened, an elderly monk looked at him with kindness.

—What brings you here, my child? —the monk asked.

—I want to know the faith… I want to find peace —Alejandro replied, his voice trembling.

The monks welcomed him without question. They gave him a place to sleep and a warm meal. Over time, they taught him how to pray, work in the monastery, and live a life dedicated to God. Alejandro, who had never felt love in his life, began to understand what it meant to be truly loved.

As he grew, he showed remarkable strength and resilience. He prayed with devotion, worked without complaint, and learned the teachings of the Church Fathers with a wisdom that surprised the monks. Despite his past, he never showed hatred or resentment, only gratitude for the new life he had found.

When he reached adolescence, Alejandro made the great decision to become a monk. The monks clothed him in the black robe and gave him a new name, marking the beginning of his life in Christ. The years passed, and his faith only grew stronger.

After five to seven years of absolute dedication, the monks saw something special in him. His love for God and his endurance in the face of difficulties had made him an example for everyone in the monastery. Because of this, they decided to grant him the Great Schema, the highest level of monasticism, symbolizing a life completely devoted to Christ.

Now, Alejandro was no longer that sad and lost boy. He had found his purpose, his home, and his peace. He never again felt fear or pain from his past because he had found something far greater: the eternal love of God.

Eastern Orthodox Christian

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch

undiscovered