.png)
Saint Alexander, Bishop of Comana,* lived in the 3rd century near Neocaesarea. He studied the Holy Scriptures and knew many sciences. Having taken upon himself the feat of foolishness for Christ, the Saint lived in poverty, selling coal in the city square. Many, seeing his face always black from coal dust, treated him with contempt.
When the Bishop of Comana died, some proposed choosing a new primate from the nobility, others - a scholar or eloquent man, others - a rich man. Then Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea (November 17), invited to consecrate the chosen one, pointed out that a bishop should have not only external dignity and distinctions, but above all, a pure heart and a holy life. These words caused some to smirk: "If you do not look at the external appearance and nobility of origin, then even Alexander the coal-burner** can be made a bishop." Saint Gregory thought that it was not without God's providence that this man was mentioned, and asked to summon him.
When the Bishop of Comana died, some proposed choosing a new primate from the nobility, others - a scholar or eloquent man, others - a rich man. Then Saint Gregory of Neocaesarea (November 17), invited to consecrate the chosen one, pointed out that a bishop should have not only external dignity and distinctions, but above all, a pure heart and a holy life. These words caused some to smirk: "If you do not look at the external appearance and nobility of origin, then even Alexander the coal-burner** can be made a bishop." Saint Gregory thought that it was not without God's providence that this man was mentioned, and asked to summon him.
The appearance of the Saint among those gathered caused laughter. Respectfully turning to Saint Gregory, Saint Alexander stood, paying no attention to the mockery. Saint Gregory tested him, and the coal-burner was forced to reveal that he had previously been a philosopher, had studied the Holy Scriptures, but for the sake of God he had taken upon himself voluntary poverty and humility.
Then Saint Gregory took the coal-burner into his house, where he washed off the dirt, and they dressed him in clean clothes. Returning to the Synod, Saint Gregory began to ask him questions from the Holy Scriptures in front of everyone, to which Saint Alexander answered like a knowledgeable and wise shepherd. Seeing this, those present were amazed at his humility and unanimously elected Alexander as their bishop. Saint Gregory ordained him a priest, and then a bishop.
After the ordination, the new Hierarch spoke to the people, filled with the power and grace of God. Everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent them such a wise shepherd.
Under Emperor Diocletian (284–305),*** the Saint courageously confessed Christ, refusing to worship idols; after torture, he was thrown into the fire, and there he departed to God.
Notes:
* The vagueness of the information we have about him comes from the fact that his name is not found in any of the old Greek or Roman calendars. He would have been absolutely unknown were it not for a discourse pronounced by St. Gregory of Nyssa, on the life of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, in which the election of Alexander is incidentally described. In the modern Roman Martyrology his name occurs, and his feast is kept on August 11th. In the Slavic Churches he is commemorated on August 12th, while he is not listed for commemoration in the Greek calendar.
Then Saint Gregory took the coal-burner into his house, where he washed off the dirt, and they dressed him in clean clothes. Returning to the Synod, Saint Gregory began to ask him questions from the Holy Scriptures in front of everyone, to which Saint Alexander answered like a knowledgeable and wise shepherd. Seeing this, those present were amazed at his humility and unanimously elected Alexander as their bishop. Saint Gregory ordained him a priest, and then a bishop.
After the ordination, the new Hierarch spoke to the people, filled with the power and grace of God. Everyone rejoiced that the Lord had sent them such a wise shepherd.
Under Emperor Diocletian (284–305),*** the Saint courageously confessed Christ, refusing to worship idols; after torture, he was thrown into the fire, and there he departed to God.
Notes:
* The vagueness of the information we have about him comes from the fact that his name is not found in any of the old Greek or Roman calendars. He would have been absolutely unknown were it not for a discourse pronounced by St. Gregory of Nyssa, on the life of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, in which the election of Alexander is incidentally described. In the modern Roman Martyrology his name occurs, and his feast is kept on August 11th. In the Slavic Churches he is commemorated on August 12th, while he is not listed for commemoration in the Greek calendar.
** He is also known as Alexander Carbonarius (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Ἀνθρακεὺς), meaning "Alexander the Charcoal Burner."
*** According to some sources, Saint Alexander suffered under Emperor Decius (249–251).
