Biography Pope Alexander I of Alexandria

1 biography

1.1 meletius of lycopolis
1.2 arianism
1.3 first council of nicaea

biography

comparatively little known of alexander s years. during time priest experienced bloody persecutions of christians emperors galerius , maximinus daia.

alexander became patriarch on passing of achillas of alexandria, own remarkably short reign thought have been brought breaking command of own predecessor, peter of alexandria, never readmit arius communion.

alexander himself faced 3 primary challenges during term patriarch. first of these schismatic sect, led erescentius, disputing timing of easter. alexander found himself put in position of writing special treatise on controversy, in cited earlier statements regarding matter dionysius of alexandria. alexander s own efforts, while did serve quiet dispute, not enough quiet controversy themselves, although first council of nicaea, held during tenure, did resolve matter.

meletius of lycopolis

his second major concern matter of meletius of lycopolis, continued slander alexander, had earlier done achillas. meletius went far lodge formal complaint court of emperor constantine i, although no unusual attention given it.

more important, however, fact meletius had seemed establish form of working alliance arius. meletius consecrated bishops of own, without superior s consent. controversy continue unabated until council @ nicaea, alexander allowed meletius return church, ending meletius alliance arius.

arianism

the last, , important, of problems alexander faced issue of arius himself. alexander s predecessor, achillas, had not allowed arius return church, had given him oldest church in alexandria, position allowed him exercise great influence on christian community of alexandria. in fact, arius contender post of patriarch of alexandria @ death of achillas.

the conflict between 2 began in earnest when alexander declared unity of trinity in 1 of sermons. arius responded labeling alexander s statement sabellianism, had been rejected time. controversy escalated, , arius developed ever increasing support position, winning on number of deacons, , @ least 1 presbyter, started ordain presbyters of own. arius continued draw more attention , support, point alexander found himself having summon 2 separate assemblies of priests , deacons discuss matter. neither of these assemblies, though, reached firm conclusions, or helped limit spread of arius beliefs.

alexander called synod of church of alexandria , neighboring province of mareotis in 320, specific intention of deciding action taken regarding increasingly problematic matter. @ synod, thirty-six presbyters , forty-four deacons, including athanasius of alexandria, agreed condemnation of arianism , signed document effect. arius remained successful in spreading new belief elsewhere, particularly in mareotis , libya, arius convinced bishop secundus of ptolemais , thomas of marmarica join him. arius success in dividing leaders of church made chance of formal schism real one.

in 321, alexander called general council of entire church of nation. council gathered no fewer 1 hundred participants. @ council, arius continued argue earlier position, son not co-eternal father, , went on son not similar father in substance. last statement received horror assembled council, placed arius under anathema until recanted positions.

arius left palestine, received support number of bishops, expressed opinion of matter alexander. 1 of these supporters, eusebius of nicomedia, had close connections imperial court in byzantium, , helped spread arius ideas further. widespread growth of movement, , reaction such established church, led emperor himself writing letter involved parties calling return of unity church , end protracted dispute characterized petty arguments on unintelligible minutiae.

arius followers in alexandria began engage in violence in defense of beliefs, prompting alexander write encyclical of brother bishops in christendom, in related history of arianism , opinion of flaws of arian system. in doing so, obliged indicate them actions of eusebius of nicomedia, had assembled provincial council of church of bithynia discuss arius. body reviewed actions alexander , predecessors had taken, and, based on review, formally admitted arius communion of syriac church. other figures, including paulinus of tyrus, eusebius of caesarea, , patrophilus of scythopolis, indicated support of arius, allowing followers assemble divine office had earlier done in alexandria.

arius believed have written thalia @ around time, gathered more support cause. book, combined arius other works , alexander s opposing works, exacerbated dispute between supporters , opponents of arius. in atmosphere , on advice of deacon athanasius, alexander wrote in defense of own position confession of faith. sent tome bishops of christianity, asking them endorse position placing own signatures on copies. received 250 signatures work, including 100 own diocese, 42 asia, 37 pamphylia, 32 lycia, 15 cappadocia, , various others. maintained individual correspondence alexander of constantinople, protesting violence of arians , promulgation of arius s views on influence of females, pope sylvester i, macarius of jerusalem, asclepius of gaza, longinus of ashkelon, macarius of ioannina, zeno of tyrus, , many others on issues of arianism.

the dispute on arianism had become serious problem, threatened damage peace , unity of church , of empire. constantine, sole claimant throne after execution of licinius, wrote letter athanasius , arius . constantine wrote letter nicomedia, have concluded eusebius of nicomedia, bishop of nicomedia , supporter of arius, may have been involved in composition of letter. letter given hosius of córdoba, respected older bishop, deliver disputants in alexandria. in letter, constantine requested alexander , arius end dispute.

shortly after receiving message constantine, alexander requested general council of diocese, seems have confirmed agreement profession of faith alexander had earlier circulated agreement use of theological term consubstantial . reaffirmed excommunication of arius , condemnation of followers of meletius, which, of course, angered arians of alexandria more. arius himself formally complained emperor on treatment alexander. in response, constantine called arius plead case before ecumenical council of church, held @ nicaea in bithynia on 14 june 325, first such council ever called existence.

first council of nicaea

alexander came council party included potamon of heraclea, paphnutius of thebes, , alexander s deacon, athanasius, acted spokesman. alexander himself supposed preside on meeting, felt not serve both presiding official , chief accuser. on basis, turned on presidency hosius of cordova. after lengthy discussion, council issued decision which, among other things, confirmed anaethema of arius, authorized alexander, @ urging, allow meletius retain episcopal title, not able exercise episcopal powers. meletius had appointed retain titles, elevated status of bishop on death of 1 of bishops consecrated alexander. gave alexander right decide timing of easter on own, asking him communicate decision rome , rest of christendom. issued statement egyptian church allowed retain traditions regarding clerical celibacy. in regard, alexander followed advice of paphnutius of thebes, encouraged him allow priests married after taking holy orders.

five months after returning alexandria nicaea, alexander died. 1 source places death on 22nd of baramudah, or april 17. dying, said have named athanasius, deacon, successor.