Alexandros Papadiamantis was born on March 4, 1851 on the Greek island of Skiathos. As the priest, who baptized him, poured oil in the baptismal font, it so happened that the oil formed a cross on the surface of the water. The priest prophesied a glorious future for the newborn child. Alexander was generally sickly. Nevertheless, he was very fond of books and reading in general. His family life was quiet and intensely religious.