Editing Alexander of Constantinople (section)

== Origin and early life ==
According to the [[Synaxarion]], Alexander was originally from [[Calabria]] in Italy and his parents were called George and Vryaine. From a very young age, he was given to God and stayed in a [[monastery]], where he cultivated virtue and became a good labourer of God's commands. He was granted divine visions, while for twenty days he stayed completely [[fasting]]. But he also stayed naked for four years and fell into thousands of problems because of attacks of the [[Saracens]]. In this way, he lived many years traveling around Greece with his pupils Vitalius and Nicephorus.

Alexander was elected as a [[vicar]] to assist the aged bishop [[Metrophanes of Byzantium]]. According to [[Gelasius of Cyzicus]], Metrophanes was alive during the [[First Council of Nicaea]] (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander of Constantinople, whom he destined as his successor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Κατάλογος Οικουμενικών Πατριαρχών - Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο |trans-title=List of Ecumenical Patriarchs |url=https://ec-patr.org/oikoymeniko-patriarxeio/istoria/diatelesantes-patriarxes/ |access-date=25 July 2024 |language=el}}.</ref> Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Walter |first=Christopher |date=1970 |title=The Names of the Council Fathers at Saint Sozomenus, Cyprus (planches) |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/rebyz_0766-5598_1970_num_28_1_1435 |journal=[[Revue des études byzantines]] |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=189–206 |doi=10.3406/rebyz.1970.1435}}.</ref> Alexander succeeded him at the age of 73 in 314.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1911|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref>

During his episcopacy, Alexander engaged in debate with [[pagan]] [[philosophers]] and opposed [[Christian heresy|heresies]]. He was highly praised by [[Gregory Nazianzus]]<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1911|ignore-err=yes}} cites Gregory Nazianzus, ''Oration 27''.</ref> and [[Epiphanius of Salamis]].<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1911|ignore-err=yes}} cites Epiphanius of Cyprus, ''Adv. Haer'', lxix, 10.</ref> [[Theodoret]] called him an "apostolic" bishop.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1911|ignore-err=yes}} cites Theodoret, ''Hist.'', i, 3, cf. ''Phil'', 12.</ref> Alexander served as bishop for about 23 years,<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1911|ignore-err=yes}} cites Socrates Scholasticus, ''Hist.'', ii, 6; [[Sozomen]] ''Hist.'', iii, 3.</ref> during which time he distinguished himself by his virtues and administrative abilities.<ref>[https://orthodoxtimes.com/memory-of-saints-alexander-john-and-paul-patriarchs-of-constantinople-5/ "Memory of Saints Alexander, John and Paul, Patriarchs of Constantinople", ''Orthodox Times''].</ref>