Today, the memory of three Constantinople patriarchs, who lived in different eras, is commemoratedbut all three distinguished themselves with a righteous life and became an example for all Christians of all times.
Saint Alexander was born in Asia Minor in 239. Well educated in the Christian faith, he became a priest and served in the archdiocese of Byzantium (before it was called Constantinople). He was at an advanced age when the heresy of the Alexandrian priest Arius began to spread in the Church. Therefore, in the year 325, in the city of Nicaea (today Iznik in Turkey), an ecumenical council was convened by Emperor Constantine the Great to resolve the dispute surrounding the heresy of Arius. Bishops from all over the empire gathered. However, the Archbishop of Constantinople, Mitrofan, was already too old and therefore sent his associate priest Alexander to defend the Orthodox faith. With his participation, the Council condemned Arianism. Then they sent Alexander to the dioceses to announce the council’s decisions. And when Mitrofan died, he was elected Archbishop of Tsarigrad and led the Church with wisdom and kindness for twelve years. He died in 337.
Name day is celebrated by all who bear the name Alexander /means – manly, protector of men/, Alexandra, Alexandrina, Alexandria, Alexi, Aleko, Sasho, Sashka.
Saint John IV the Faster, a native of Cappadocia, was known as a strict faster, hence his nickname. In 582 he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople. With him, the patriarch of the capital began to be called “ecumenical”. Headed the Constantinople Church until his death in 595.
Saint Paul IV, a native of Cyprus, was distinguished by great charity. He was elected patriarch of Constantinople in 780, but felt that he could not lead the fight against the iconoclasts and resigned in August 784. He died in peace soon after.
On this day, the transfer of the relics of Saint Alexander Nevsky to the Lavra dedicated to him in Saint Petersburg is also celebrated. His main holiday is on November 23.
Source: BTA, Prof. Ivan Zhelev
2023-08-30 04:53:02
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