Saint Alexander of Constantinople

Alexander of Constantinople (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος; c. 241 – 337) was bishop of Byzantium from 314 and the first bishop of Constantinople from 330 (the city was renamed during his episcopacy in 330). Scholars consider most of the available information on Alexander to be legendary. According to the Synaxarion, Alexander was originally from Calabria in Italy and his parents were called George and Vryaine. From a very young age, he was given to God and stayed in a monastery, where he cultivated virtue and became a good labourer of God's commands. He was granted divine visions, while for twenty days he stayed completely fasting. But he also stayed naked for four years and fell into thousands of problems because of attacks of the Saracens. In this way, he lived many years traveling around Greece with his pupils Vitalius and Nicephorus. Alexander was elected as a vicar to assist the aged bishop Metrophanes of Byzantium. According to Gelasius of Cyzicus, Metrophanes was alive during the First Council of Nicaea (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander of Constantinople, whom he destined as his successor. Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then. Alexander succeeded him at the age of 73 in 314. During his episcopacy, Alexander engaged in debate with pagan philosophers and opposed heresies. He was highly praised by Gregory Nazianzus and Epiphanius of Salamis. Theodoret called him an "apostolic" bishop. Alexander served as bishop for about 23 years, during which time he distinguished himself by his virtues and administrative abilities. When the Arian controversy began, Pope Alexander I of Alexandria, the Patriarch of Alexandria, requested his cooperation in combating what he perceived to be heresy. At the Council of Nicaea, Arius and his teachings were condemned. Later, Arius desired to be received back into the communion of the Church.