Alexander of Constantinople

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Saint

Alexander of Constantinople
Bishop of Byzantium and Archbishop of Constantinople
Icon of Patriarchs Alexander, John and Paul IV
Installed314
Term ended337
Personal details
Born237–245
Died337
Constantinople
DenominationEastern Christianity
Sainthood
Feast day
  • August 30 (Orthodox)
  • August 28 (Roman Catholic)
Venerated in
Roman Catholicism

Alexander of Constantinople (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος; c. 237/245 – 337) was a bishop of Byzantium and the first Archbishop of Constantinople[1] (the city was renamed during his episcopacy). Scholars consider most of the available information on Alexander to be legendary.[2]

Origin and early life

According to the

Saracens. In this way, he lived many years travelling around Greece
with his pupils Vitalius and Nicephorus.

Alexander was elected as a

Saint Metrophanes of Byzantium. As a result, both Alexander and Metrophanes are reported as the first Bishop of Constantinople (both are also sometimes listed as first "Patriarch" of Constantinople, though the episcopal see had not yet been elevated to that rank).[3] Alexander served as bishop for about 23 years, until his death in 337.[4]
At the time of Metrophanes' death, he left instructions in his will to elect his vicar to the throne of Constantinople.

During his episcopacy, Alexander engaged in debate with

Epiphanius of Cyprus.[6] Theodoret called him an "apostolic" bishop.[7]

Arian controversy

When the Arian controversy began, Alexander, the Patriarch of Alexandria, requested his cooperation in combatting what he perceived to be heresy.[8] According to most sources, Alexander of Constantinople was present at the First Council of Nicaea[9] as Metrophanes' deputy, although some sources state that Metrophanes (who would have been 117 years of age at the time) attended the council personally. At the council, Arius and his teachings were condemned.

Later,

banishment, persisted in his refusal to admit Arius back into the Church, and shut himself up in the Church of Hagia Irene (which at that time was the cathedral
of Constantinople) in fervent prayer that God would take him from this world rather than be forced to restore someone to communion who he feared was only feigning repentance. As it happened, Arius died on his way to the church, before he could be received back into communion.

Death

Alexander did not long survive Arius.[12] On his deathbed he was said to have nominated his vicar, Paul, as his successor, and to have warned his clergy against Macedonius, who became bishop of Constantinople in 342 and whose teachings inspired Macedonianism.

After his death, Alexander came to be regarded as a saint of the Church. The service in his honor was printed in

Paul the New
(780-784).

Notes

  1. ^ Smith 1911 cites Theodoret Hist. i. 19
  2. ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6
    . Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  3. ^ See Canon iii, First Council of Constantinople, 359 AD
  4. Socrates Scholasticus Hist. ii. 6; Sozomen
    Hist. iii. 3
  5. ^ Smith 1911 cites Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 27
  6. ^ Smith 1911 cites Epiphanius of Cyprus, Adv. Haer. lxix. 10
  7. ^ Smith 1911 cites Theodoret, Hist. i. 3, cf. Phil. 12
  8. ^ Smith 1911 cites Theodoret, op. cit. i. 4
  9. ^ Smith 1911 citesSozomen, op. cit. ii. 29
  10. ^ Smith 1911 cites Athanasius of Alexandria Ep. ad Serap.; Rufinus, Hist. i.
  11. ^ Smith 1911 cites Socrates Scholasticus, op. cit. i. 37
  12. ^ Smith 1911 cites Socrates Scholasticus, op. cit. ii. 6 ; Theodoret, op. cit.i. 19

References

External links


Titles of the Great Christian Church
Preceded by
Saint Metrophanes
Bishop of Byzantium
after 330 of Constantinople

314–337 		Succeeded by
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