ΑΓΙΟΣ ΝΕΟΜΑΡΤΥΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ Ο ΔΕΡΒΙΣΗΣ ( + 2651794) br Martyr saint Alexandros (Alexander) the dervish from Thessaloniki br St. Alexander came from Thessaloniki and lived in the area of Laodigias or Lagodianis (today Laodigitria). As a young man arrived in Smyrna, trying to avoid the lecherous intentions of some Turkish man. For reasons unknown to us, in that city he denied the faith and became a Muslim . Later he visited Mecca and entered the Order of Dervishes. br But controlled by his conscience he pretended to be a crazy and in the shape of the dervish, toured for 18 years in enslaved countries severely controlling the Turkish tyranny. No matter how many times he was given the opportunity to express his faith in Christ, he did it by performing good deeds. br Situated on the island of Chios,he followed fearlessly in the Christian Church the liturgical celebrations of Lent still wearing his clothes dervish. br From Chios traveled to Smyrna and presented to the city marshal to whom confessed boldly that he repented for the previous state and now returns to Christianity. In front of it pulled out and trampled his clothes dervish. They immediately threw in jail from which he was taken out three times trying to flattery and threats to curb the morale and faith. But Alexander remained indomitable and firm in his decision to testify for the holy faith. And when they came to the place of execution prayed kneeling and unruffled front of numerous and furious crowd of Turks, Greeks, Franks and Armenians. Full of joy and courage, he endured with fortitude the martyr's death by decapitation, on May 26, 1794, thus being made and he inhabitant of Jerusalem above and shareholder of celestial glory.