St. Alexander of Jerusalem

St. Alexander of Jerusalem was a pivotal figure in early Christianity, serving as the first Bishop of Flavia in Cappadocia before becoming associated with the Bishop of Jerusalem, Narcissus. A disciple of Clement of Alexandria, Alexander was imprisoned during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus but was later released. He then traveled to Jerusalem, where he was asked by the elderly Bishop Narcissus to assist in governing the see, an unusual arrangement approved by all Palestinian bishops. Following Narcissus' death in 212, Alexander succeeded him and led the Church of Jerusalem for thirty-eight years. Notably, he established the first library of Christian theological works in Jerusalem and permitted Origen, then a layman, to speak in churches, later ordaining him a priest in 230. Alexander's tenure was marked by significant contributions to Christian scholarship and leadership. During the persecutions under Emperor Decius (249-251), Alexander was arrested and taken to Cappadocia, where he endured torture and eventually died in prison around 251. His martyrdom solidified his legacy as a saint, revered by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic Churches. While the exact date of his canonization is not specified in historical records, his veneration as a saint has been long-standing.