Martyr4th century

Martyr Alexander of Rome

Late 3rd–early 4th century (martyred in the reign of Maximian Hercules, 284–305)

Also known as Alexander the Soldier · Alexander the Roman · Alexander of Thrace · Alexander of Marcianopolis · Alexander of Drizipara

A young Roman soldier who refused to take part in pagan sacrifice and, after long sufferings on the road of his confession, was beheaded under Maximian.

May 13New Calendar

Feast Day

May 26Old Calendar

Also commemorated

February 25NewMarch 10Old

Suggest a correction Contribute

Icon galleryBrowse icons and imagery elsewhere

Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Alexander of Rome

Come to them for

Military Service

Life

Alexander of Rome was a young soldier who suffered for Christ at the beginning of the fourth century, during the reign of the emperor Maximian Hercules (284–305). According to the synaxarion he was eighteen years old and served in the regiment of the tribune Tiberian at Rome.

Raised in the Christian faith from childhood, he refused to take part in a public sacrifice at the temple of Jupiter and openly confessed Christ before the emperor. He was sent in chains toward Thrace and, after a long road of confession and suffering, was beheaded. He is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on May 13.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Alexander;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Alexander, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

284–305Reign of Maximian HerculesAlexander serves as a soldier in the regiment of the tribune Tiberian at Rome during the reign of the emperor Maximian Hercules, who issues an edict commanding sacrifice at the temple of Jupiter.
Early 4th centuryRefusal and arrestAlexander, eighteen years old and a Christian from childhood, refuses to sacrifice; Tiberian reports him to the emperor and soldiers are sent to arrest him.
Early 4th centuryConfession before MaximianBrought before Maximian, Alexander confesses Christ and refuses the idols; he is remanded to Tiberian and sent toward Thrace in chains.
Early 4th centuryMartyrdom at DriziperaAfter a journey through Carthage, Byzantium, Philippopolis, and Burtodexion, Alexander is sentenced and beheaded at Drizipera; his mother Pimenia buries him near the River Ergina.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

The Edict and the Refusal

By the account preserved in the synaxarion, Alexander served as a soldier in the regiment of the tribune Tiberian at Rome. When the emperor Maximian Hercules issued an edict requiring all citizens to go on an appointed day to the temple of Jupiter outside the city and offer sacrifice, Alexander refused, declaring that he would not sacrifice to devils.

His refusal was reported by Tiberian to the emperor, and soldiers were sent to arrest him. The synaxarion relates that as the soldiers came, an angel had already woken Alexander and warned him of the martyrdom before him; when he went out to meet them, his face is said to have shone so brightly that the soldiers fell to the ground.

Confession and the Road to Thrace

Brought before Maximian, Alexander boldly confessed his faith in Christ and refused to worship the idols, saying that he feared neither the emperor nor his threats. The emperor remanded him to the tribune Tiberian, who was being sent into Thrace to persecute Christians there, and the young man was led away fettered in chains.

The tradition recounts a long journey of confession and suffering that passed through Carthage, Byzantium, Philippopolis, and Burtodexion. His mother, Pimenia, who had been told of his martyrdom, sought out her son along the way and encouraged him through his tortures.

Martyrdom

The death sentence was finally imposed by Tiberian at Drizipera. The synaxarion relates that as the executioner prepared to strike, the saint prayed and asked God to remove the angels surrounding him, so that the sentence could be carried out; only then was the executioner able to cut off his head.

His body was recovered by his mother Pimenia and buried near the River Ergina. The Orthodox tradition records that healings began to take place at the saint's grave.

Veneration

Accounts of the dates and details of Alexander's martyrdom vary across traditions: some sources place his death around the year 289 near Karasura, by the River Ergina, where his mother is said to have buried him. The in-repo record commemorates him on May 13, following the OCA synaxarion, while other calendars observe him on different days.

A church dedicated to the martyr is attested in the village of Belica in North Macedonia, and archaeological remains in the region have been associated with the site of his grave.

Works & Further ReadingReadHide