Saint Alexander was the bishop of Byzantium and, after the city was renamed in 330, the first to hold the see under its new name of Constantinople. He is remembered above all for his firm defense of Orthodox teaching against Arianism during the reign of Constantine the Great.

Born around 244 in Calabria, in southern Italy, to parents named George and Vryaine, he devoted himself from youth to the monastic life. He died at Constantinople in 337, having reached an advanced age of roughly ninety-three years.

Troparion & Kontakion5 hymnsReadHide

TroparionTone 4

O God of our Fathers,
always act with kindness towards us;
take not Your mercy from us,
but guide our lives in peace
through the prayers of the Patriarchs Alexander, John, and Paul.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 4

(Podoben: “Go quickly before us...”) Christ, the God over all,
has appointed you as a venerable shepherd of His Church, O Godly-wise Alexander,
a light upon the lampstand, a faithful steward,
and the most holy example of a pillar of Orthodoxy.
Therefore, we keep festival in your memory.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

KontakionTone 8

Set aflame by the love of Christ, O glorious ones,
you took up the yoke of His precious Cross revealing yourselves as followers in His footsteps by your way of life,
and you became partakers of His divine glory,
divinely-wise Alexander, with wonderful John and glorious Paul.
As you stand before His throne, earnestly pray for our souls.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

KontakionTone 8

With your flock, as one who was delivered from the ungodly,
I bring tokens of victory and thanksgiving to you, O invincible valiant hierarch,
for you overcame the foolish Arius, and silenced the arrogant philosopher.
Therefore, I say to you: Rejoice, thrice-happy Father.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 4

(Podoben: "Go quickly before us...") Christ, the God over all,
has appointed you as a venerable shepherd of His Church, O Godly-wise Alexander,
a light upon the lampstand, a faithful steward,
and the most holy example of a pillar of Orthodoxy.
Therefore, we keep festival in your memory.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline6 momentsReadHide

c. 244Birth in CalabriaAlexander is born around 244 in Calabria, in southern Italy, to parents named George and Vryaine.
c. 314Bishop of ByzantiumAlexander succeeds Metrophanes as bishop of Byzantium, having served as his vicar.
325Council of NicaeaAlexander attends the First Ecumenical Council in place of the aged Metrophanes, supporting Alexander of Alexandria against Arius.
330First bishop of ConstantinopleWhen Byzantium is renamed Constantinople, Alexander becomes the first to hold the see under its new name.
c. 336Death of AriusRefusing the emperor's command to readmit Arius, Alexander prays in Hagia Irene; Arius dies on his way to the church before being received into communion.
337ReposeAlexander dies at Constantinople at roughly ninety-three years of age, having nominated Paul as his successor.

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributionsReadHide

Episcopate and the First Ecumenical Council

Alexander served as bishop of Byzantium from around 314, succeeding Metrophanes. According to the sources, he had become vicar to Metrophanes some years earlier, when already advanced in years. When the city of Byzantium was renamed Constantinople in 330, Alexander became the first bishop to hold the see under its new name.

Though elderly, Alexander represented his predecessor Metrophanes at the Council of Nicaea in 325, since Metrophanes was unable to attend on account of his age and infirmity; Alexander was regarded as his destined successor. At the council he supported Alexander of Alexandria in the defense of the Trinitarian position against the teaching of Arius.

Confrontation with Arianism

Alexander stood firmly against Arian doctrine throughout his episcopate. After the Council of Nicaea, the emperor Constantine commanded him to receive the heretic Arius back into communion. Alexander persisted in his refusal, despite threats of deposition and banishment, rather than compromise his doctrinal stance.

Rather than yield, Alexander shut himself within the Church of Hagia Irene in fervent prayer. By the account of the sources, Arius died on his way to the church, before he could be received back into communion. Alexander nominated his vicar Paul as his successor and warned the clergy against the semi-Arian Macedonius.

Asceticism and Travels

From his youth Alexander gave himself to the religious life in a monastery, and his ascetic practices were remembered as remarkable. By tradition he is said to have remained unclothed for four years and to have endured hardships from the attacks of the Saracens.

The sources relate that he traveled through Greece in the company of his disciples Vitalius and Nicephorus.

Companions1 figureShowHide

Fellow defender of the Nicene faith against Arius, whom Alexander supported at the First Ecumenical Council.

Saint AlexanderPatriarch of Alexandria

Related Saints4 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

His predecessor in the see, whom he served as vicar and represented at the Council of Nicaea.

Saint MetrophanesFirst Patriarch of Constantinople

His successor, whom Alexander nominated from his deathbed to govern the see.

Saint Paul the ConfessorArchbishop of Constantinople

Commemorated with him among the Patriarchs of Constantinople on August 30.

Saint Paul the NewPatriarch of Constantinople

Commemorated with him among the Patriarchs of Constantinople on August 30.

John the FasterPatriarch of Constantinople

Browse similar saints by calling and place.

More Greece370 More Hierarchs580 More Bishops702 More Byzantine Saints1282

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints