10 Works, Today, April 17th, is Pope Alexander I of Alexandria's day, With Footnotes - #103

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Icon of the Pope Alexander of Alexandria, c. XI - XIV

Veljusa Monastery

Alexander I of Alexandria, 19th Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. During his patriarchate, he dealt with a number of issues facing the Church in that day. These included the dating of Easter, the actions of Meletius of Lycopolis, and the issue of greatest substance, Arianism. 

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Pope Alexander I of Alexandria with Athanasius of Alexandria, (CIRCA 250-328)

First Council of Nicaea

He was the leader of the opposition to Arianism at the First Council of Nicaea. He also is remembered for being the mentor of the man who would be his successor, Athanasius of Alexandria, who would become one of the leading Church fathers.

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St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Little is known of Alexander’s early life. As a priest he experienced the persecutions of Christians under the emperors Galerius and Maximinus. Upon the repose of Achillas of Alexandria in 313, he came to lead the Church of Alexandria as the thirteenth Pope in succession since the Apostle Mark.

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Emperors Galerius

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Roman Emperor Maximian with His Wife Eutropia

Alexander was faced with three significant issues upon his elevation. These were the dating of Easter, the efforts of Meletius of Lycopolis to undermine him, and Arianism.

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Meletius of Lycopolis

A schismatic sect, led by Erescentius, disputed the timing of the date for Easter. While the controversy was not fully settled until the decision of the First Ecumenical Council, Alexander prepared a special treatise that defused the issue until the Council decision in which he cited the earlier statements of Dionysius on the matter.

Alexander inherited the challenge to the ruling bishop of Alexandria by his subordinate Meletius, Bishop of Lycopolis, who had also challenged Achillas before him. Being among those who required strict repentance, Meletius and his sect questioned the reception of lapsed Christians on return to the Church during the persecutions. In addition to formally complaining to the court of Emperor Constantine I, to no effect, Meletius had begun to consecrate bishops of his own in territories outside that under his authority without Alexander’s agreement. Meletius appeared also to have established an alliance with Arius. The controversy and alliance with Arius ended at the Council at Nicea at which Alexander allowed Meletius to return to Alexandria church without authority to consecrate bishops.

Ariusz

Alexander’s greatest challenge was Arius himself. Alexander’s position had been compromised by the actions of his predecessor, Achillas, who had not only allowed Arius to return to the church, but had also assigned him the oldest church in Alexandria. In this position Achillas gave Arius the ability to exert great influence on the Christian community in Alexandria. Arius drew increasing support in Alexandria, to the point that Alexander called two meetings of his priests and deacons to limit Arius’ actions. In neither meeting were firm conclusions reach that could stem the spread of Arius’ beliefs. In 320, Alexander called a synod of the church in Alexandria that agreed on a condemnation of Arius.

St. Axihillos (Achilles or Achillas) Bishop of Alexandria

Arius continued to spread his belief into Mareotis and Libya. In 321, Alexander convened a council of the Alexandria diocese that included over one hundred participants. At the council Arius argued his position that the Son was not co-eternal with the Father and that the Son was not similar to the Father in substance. The last statement was received in horror and the assembled council went on to place Arius under anathema until he recanted his positions.

St. Emperor Constantine Icon

Arius forthwith left for Palestine where he settled with friends and continued to spread his heresy. Alexander then wrote a confession of faith that he sent to all the bishops in Christendom asking them to endorse his position. The dispute over Arianism continued as a serious problem and soon brought the Emperor Constantine I into the fray. Constantine wrote to Alexander and Arius requesting they end their dispute. Alexander remained adamant about his position and at another general council of his diocese the excommunication of Arius was reaffirmed. Arius then formally complained to Constantine about his treatment by Alexander. Constantine directed Arius to plead his case before a general council of the church, to be convened at Nicea in Asia Minor on June 14, 325.

The Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicea

After lengthy discussion the council confirmed the anathema against Arius. The Council also authorized Alexander, with his urging, to allow Meletius to retain his episcopal title but without authority to exercise any episcopal powers. The council also gave Alexander the right to calculate the timing of Easter with the duty of communicating his decision to all of Christendom. The council also allowed the Egyptian church to retain its traditions concerning celibacy of the clergy.

Alexander reposed five months after his return to Alexandria from Nicea, on April 17, 326. He is said to have named his deacon, Athanasius, his successor as he was dying.

In addition to the Orthodox Church, Alexander is venerated by the non-Chalcedonian and Roman Catholic Churches. More on Alexander I of Alexandria

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