He was an archbishop under the Most Holy Mitrophan, the first Patriarch of Constantinople, and was distinguished by his virtues. At the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, he represented the Patriarch, defending the Orthodox faith against Arius. After the death of Mitrophan, he was appointed Patriarch, diligently caring for the Church and opposing heretics and philosophers. In one of the disputes with philosophers, he commanded one of them to be silent, and that man became mute, which led many to convert to Christianity.
Through his prayers, he also punished Arius, who, having deceived Emperor Constantine, was called to communion, but the saint refused to accept him. On the day when Arius was to enter the temple, he was struck by illness and died, which became a sign of God's wrath against heresy.
Saint Alexander governed the Church until a very old age. Before his death, he pointed to two worthy men as possible successors. He died at the age of ninety-eight. After him, Saint Paul, the first Patriarch with that name, was placed on the throne.
Saint John, called Cappadocian, became Patriarch after the unorthodox Timothy, and suffered persecutions from Emperor Anastasius while defending Orthodoxy. After the death of Anastasius, the pious Justin was elected to the throne, who, together with John, restored peace in the Church.
Saint Paul, the fourth Patriarch, was virtuous but fearful, and seeing the sufferings of the faithful, he left the patriarchal throne, taking on the schema. His departure caused sorrow to Queen Irene and Emperor Constantine. Paul called for the restoration of the veneration of icons and warned against heresy. He died, leaving the Church in turmoil, but his words inspired the defense of Orthodoxy.
