Alexander of Jerusalem, Bishop

Saint Alexander, the holy hieromartyr and Bishop of Jerusalem, was a disciple of Clement of Alexandria and was in friendship with Origen. In the early 3rd century, he became the bishop in Flavium, Cappadocia. During the persecutions of Septimius Severus, he endured imprisonment in a dungeon for several years. After his release, he went to Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by the people and became a co-ruler with Patriarch Narcissus. For 38 years, the saint wisely governed the Church of Jerusalem, founded a library, and contributed to enlightenment. During the persecutions of Decius, he was summoned to Caesarea of Palestine, where he again confessed Christ and, being imprisoned, surrendered his spirit to the Lord in 251.