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Saint Alexander of Constantinople (; born between 237 and 245) was bishop of Byzantium and the first Archbishop of Constantinople〔 cites Theodoret ''Hist.'' i. 19〕 (the city was renamed during his episcopacy). Information from the Synaxarion mention that Alexander was originally from Calabria in Italy and his parents were George and Vryaine. From very young 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 Saracenes. In this way, he lived many years travelling around Greece with his pupils Vitalius and Nicephorus. He was elected as a vicar to assist the aged bishop Saint Metrophanes of Constantinople. As a result, both he and Metrophanes are both reported as being the first Bishop of Constantinople (both are also sometimes listed as first "Patriarch" of Constantinople, though the episcopal see had not yet been elevated to that rank).〔See (Canon iii ), First Council of Constantinople, 359 AD〕 Alexander served as bishop for about 23 years, until his death at 73 years of age, in 337.〔 cites Socrates Scholasticus ''Hist.'' ii. 6; Sozomen ''Hist.'' iii. 3〕 At the time of Metrophanes' death, he left instructions in his will to elect his vicar to the throne of Constantinople. During his episcopacy, Alexander engaged in debate with pagan philosophers and opposed heresies. He was highly praised by Gregory Nazianzus〔 cites Gregory Nazianzus, ''Oration 27''〕 and Epiphanius of Cyprus.〔 cites Epiphanius of Cyprus, ''Adv. Haer''. lxix. 10〕 Theodoret called him an "apostolic" bishop.〔 cites Theodoret, ''Hist.'' i. 3, cf. ''Phil.'' 12〕 ==Arian controversy== When the Arian controversy began, Alexander, the Patriarch of Alexandria, requested his cooperation in combatting what he perceived to be heresy.〔 cites Theodoret, ''op. cit.'' i. 4〕 According to most sources, Alexander of Constantinople was present at the First Council of Nicaea〔 citesSozomen, ''op. cit.'' ii. 29〕 as Metrophanes' deputy, although some sources state that Metrophanes (who would have been 117 years of age at the time) attended the council personally. At the council, Arius and his teachings were condemned. Later, Arius desired to be received back into the communion of the Church. The Roman Emperor Constantine I, having been convinced by the Eusebians, commanded Alexander to formally receive Arius back.〔 cites Athanasius of Alexandria ''Ep. ad Serap.''; Rufinus, ''Hist.'' i.〕 According to Socrates Scholasticus, Arius did not in fact repent of his heresy, but was equivocating, and Bishop Alexander was aware of this.〔 cites Socrates Scholasticus, ''op. cit.'' i. 37〕 Alexander, though threatened by the Eusebians with deposition and banishment, persisted in his refusal to admit Arius back into the Church, and shut himself up in the Church of Hagia Irene (which at that time was the cathedral of Constantinople) in fervent prayer that God would take him from this world rather than be forced to restore someone to communion who he feared was only feigning repentance. As it happened, Arius died on his way to the church, before he could be received back into communion. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Alexander of Constantinople」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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