Alexander the Roman

ON ST. ALEXANDER THE ROMAN,

MARTYR AT DRIZIPARA IN THRACE.

UNDER MAXIMIAN

Alexander the Roman, Martyr at Drusipara in Thrace (St.)

BY G. H.

[1] Drisipara or Drusipera, in Ptolemy book 3 of the Geography

Δρουσιπάρα, an ancient city of Thrace,

in the Province of Europe under the metropolis Heraclea,

between Hadrianopolis and the Propontis; after various

torments inflicted on St. Alexander, of whom we treat here, both

at Rome and along the whole journey, was the last famous arena of his martyrdom:

in which a church was erected to him, and a glorious tomb

constructed for preserving the sacred body. The Acts of his martyrdom

were edited by Aloysius Lipomanus volume 7 of the Lives of the Holy

Fathers, Acts of the martyrdom translated from the Greek. and from him Laurentius Surius on this XIII day

of May. Those Acts written in Greek were found by Guilielmus Sirletus

in the monastery of Crypta Ferrata in the Latin field XII Roman miles

distant from Rome, and rendered by him into Latin ^a he sent to the said Lipomanus.

We have part of it the former part also in Greek, copied at Rome from

the books of the Count Palatine: the remaining and chief

part we could not yet obtain, because the Palatine Codex

is mutilated here, and the other from Crypta Ferrata into the Vatican

does not seem to have been transferred, certainly is not found there:

which is the reason why we are forced to be content with the version of Lipomanus.

The author is ancient, and accurately notes the individual places of the journey,

most of which we have not yet read named elsewhere: more easily however

we believe these to be truly named, than to be had by certain knowledge

so many Angelic apparitions and addresses, and conversations

between the Martyr and the tyrant, and the individual species of torments tolerated along

the way: for these things are all suspect

to us, as if circumstances composed by some Poetic

license for ornament, just as in similar things

written long after often happened. He would err, who did not distinguish the author

from Symeon Metaphrastes, Appendix concerning Relics. as from

the style can be evident. To these we subjoin what concerning the sacred Relics

and her temples, in the time of the Emperor Maurice, around

the six-hundredth year of Christ happened, drawn from

Theophylactus, Simocatta, Theophanes and others.

[2] Eulogy from the Menology of Emperor Basil. Some epitome of the martyrdom is in the Menology of Emperor Basil

composed in the X century, in these words: Alexander was a Martyr of Christ

under the Empire of Maximian, exercising military

art under * Tiberianus the Count. But once

with the Count together with his army sacrificing to the idols,

Alexander alone not only refused to sacrifice,

but also said the Count with his comrades was deceived

and a worshipper of demons. Seized therefore

he was brought to Maximian, and interrogated

and having professed Christ, was cruelly beaten. Then

he was handed over to the President Tiberianus, that on the journey he might be afflicted

with torments, from the Roman city all the way to Byzantium. And

first indeed he was burned with fire on the sides, and

then beaten with thorny rods, his mother following him and

with glad mind sustaining his martyrdom. But brought

to Beroea bound, and bringing forth water by his prayers,

he persuaded many of the idolaters to embrace the faith

of Christ. At length when he had reached Drizipara, a city of Thrace,

he consummated his martyrdom, struck with the sword.

These things in the said Menology of Emperor Basil. Which

are much more accurately expounded in the very ancient MS. Synaxarium

of the Church of Constantinople, granted to us by our

Parisians of the Clermont College, is of this kind:

[3] Contest of the holy Martyr Alexander. He was

from the city of Rome under the empire of Maximian, a soldier

in the century of Count Tiberianus: when he with his familiar

cohort was offering sacrifice to the idols, holy

Alexander refused to sacrifice, but also called the Count and the rest doing

it, infants, and madmen, and deceivers,

and intoxicated with the depraved sowing of minds, and

at last worshippers of demons, and not venerating

God the creator of all things, the Lord Jesus

Christ. another from the MS. Synaxarium. He is led therefore for that cause to Maximian

the Emperor, but by an Angel appearing to him

was strengthened for martyrdom; and then having freely

confessed Christ he was cruelly beaten. Who imitating the great

Protomartyr Stephen raised his eyes to the heavens,

and saw them open and the Son sitting at the right hand

of the Father, and shining in face he appeared, and in

morning aspect festive, equal to an Angel, nor was

Maximian able to fix on him impious eyes,

nor even to call him to examination, driven by a certain

despair concerning him. He was therefore handed over to * Tiberius

and Sebastian the President, that on the journey he might be afflicted with torments,

from the Roman city all the way to Byzantium, with

the mandate of afflicting Christians everywhere. First therefore

with fire his sides were burned. But his mother

Pœmenia followed him, encouraging him to suffer many things.

Approaching then Philippopolis, in meeting

he had Christians of the said city, kissing his

chains, and he gave thanks to God. Led then toward

Beroea, in the place called Parembole at the tribunal

he is set and cruelly beaten, an Angel comforting him.

But when the failing water by his prayers the Saint

had procured, many embraced the faith of Christ.

Afterwards led to the city of Thrace Drisipara, at

the river flowing by, he received the sentence

that he should be killed by the sword. But when the executioner about to execute

the sentence, wished to kill, terrified by the vision

of Angelic Powers around the Saint,

did not dare lay hands upon him. But the Saint

that the guardian Angels should withdraw a little, by his prayers

obtained: and then his neck cut off he completed

his martyrdom. His solemnity is celebrated in Centumcellæ:

which place we judge to have been at Constantinople.

Another eulogy we copied at Milan in the Ambrosian library

from MS. codex marked O and number 148.

The same eulogy precisely, but on day XIII May, is described in

the Chiffletian Synaxarium, where corruptly for "Tiberianus the Count"

is read "Tiberius Caesar": but to this eulogy this distich

is prefixed:

Την

τῆς

κεφαλῆς

ἐκτομην

ἑυρὼν

σκάφος,

Περᾷ

ταχύπλους

Ἀλέξανδρος

ἐκ

βίου. others in various places.

The head cut off, as loosing the rope of a raft,

Hastening from life Alexander crosses over.

Another on this day is contained in the printed Menology gathered by the said

Sirletus.

[4] But the Greeks in the printed Menaea celebrate the memory of St.

Alexander on day XXV February, but with a eulogy not sufficiently corrected,

some in the printed Menaea to be corrected to 25 February. and perhaps to be attributed to several Saints of that name,

which is of this kind: Alexander born at Carthage,

Maximian being emperor, and Tiberianus President, is urged

to sacrifice to the idols, which he himself with insults and

mockeries dismissed. Wherefore by the topmost hands suspended,

with a heavy stone hung he was tortured. Then to Carthage

led, and there again driven onto the rack,

he is torn and beaten. Thence at Marcianopolis with burning torches

he is scorched on the face, and at last in Thrace

beheaded. Thus far that text. Galesinius, asserting that the martyrdom

was briefly translated by him from Greek into Latin speech,

says, he was a citizen of Pozzuoli: and then Ferrarius in

the general Catalogue on the same XXV February, citing the Greek Menology

and Galesinius, whom alone he seems to have read, refers the same

St. Alexander, by country a Pozzuolan, to be a Martyr in Thrace

under Maximian. Thus one straying spontaneously or by chance

easily finds a companion of error, while one prefers to believe another

rather than to investigate truth for himself.

[5] We treated on March XXVII St. Alexander

Martyr in Pannonia, and confirmed his cultus

from a great many Martyrologies and chiefly by the authority

of Usuard, Memory March 27. which cited Baronius began the present-day Roman Martyrology

with these words: At Drizipara in Pannonia

of St. Alexander the soldier, who under Maximian the Emperor

after many contests for Christ overcome,

and many miracles performed, completed his martyrdom by beheading.

How far the city Drizipara of Thrace and

near Byzantium or Constantinople, is distant from Pannonia,

we have indicated on the said March XXVII, and they know, however many

are even slightly versed in ancient Geography. Meanwhile

in the Ecclesiastical Annals again Drizipara is asserted as a city of Pannonia.

The rest in the Appendix after the Acts of the martyrdom

are brought forth. Galesinius again on this XIII May reports these things:

In Greece of St. Alexander the Martyr, who under Maximian

the Emperor, when he had endured so many and so great grievous punishments,

and on this 13 May the illustrious victor and witness of piety, at length

with head cut off received the palm. And in the Notes are cited

the Greek Horologium and Metaphrastes. The Greek Horologium which we have,

printed at Venice in the year MDXC,

has nothing about St. Alexander; and only of Glyceria, of

whom we treated above, makes mention. But if the Acts of the martyrdom, which commonly

are wont to be attributed to Metaphrastes but corruptly, even cursorily he had inspected

Galesinius could have brought forth a more proper eulogy.

Molanus mentions, of St. Alexander the Martyr under

Maximian the Emperor. More and more accurate things

are read in the Martyrology printed at Basel in the year MDLXXXIV,

in these words: At Drizipara in Thrace of St. Alexander the soldier,

who under Maximian the Emperor from the city of Rome

was led into Thrace, and most cruelly tortured, after

many contests for Christ overcome, and many

miracles performed, beheaded, received the crown of martyrdom.

* otherwise Numerianus

* rather Tiberianus

ACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM

From Aloysius Lipomanus, and a Greek MS.

Alexander the Roman, Martyr at Drusipara in Thrace (St.)

FROM LIPOM.

CHAPTER I.

Lineage. Profession of faith. Torments tolerated at Rome.

[1] At the time when the impious Maximian was reigning,

a great persecution against the followers of the Christian religion

through all regions had been stirred up.

But a certain Centurion, In the persecution of Maximian most friendly to demons,

at the order of the Emperor Maximian erected a temple

to Jupiter, far from the city of Rome by one stadium. Maximian

the Emperor therefore decreed, that whoever followed the Christian

faith should be compelled to sacrifice to the very gods:

and ordered all to be present at the dedication of the temple, and

heralds themselves through the whole city to proclaim, that whoever

were there zealous for the gods, on the next day

all to the dedication of the temple together with the Emperor should gather.

So all, having heard the voice of the heralds and

the sound of the trumpet, were prepared together with the Emperor

to be present at the temple of Jupiter. Many therefore ^a who

had inquisitive works, with these taken with them approached, for the dedication of the temple of Jupiter

at once that they might sell them, at once that they might sacrifice to Jupiter.

But a certain very rich man, named Tiberianus,

having soldiers under his command, committed to him by Felix the Tribune,

called all those, and said these things to them:

Hear, brothers. You all know, just as

the Emperor commanded, that on the present day in

the temple of Jupiter all together with himself we should be present:

prepare yourselves therefore, that with me together into the temple you may come.

These things while he was saying to his soldiers, it was announced to them,

that the Emperor had come to the temple. Then quickly

with the Tribune himself all the soldiers were hastening, that

they might attend the Emperor.

[2] But one of their number, named Alexander,

since, from boyhood preserving piety, he feared God himself,

responded to the Tribune: If to that God, who

is truly the heavenly God, you had said we should go,

and that he should be adored, you would have spoken rightly indeed: Alexander refuses to go:

for those whom you say to be gods, those are demons,

not gods. Then Tiberianus: Not to all, said he,

the gods, but to the one god Jupiter we should now sacrifice

I said, although there are others, whom both the Emperor and we worship.

To these things Alexander: You named Jupiter himself God:

but he is such, as the rest, who are demons

most deceitful; since they are accustomed to circumvent

and entirely destroy those by whom they are worshipped: just as

you yourselves assert, that your gods ^b sometimes

desired a woman; and her having been found, with the air

at once and the sea polluted in their deception. Who of you

has ever seen, or ever heard, that God by impure

deeds was weakened? Therefore not only, as I said,

are demons, but they are also deceitful. But our God

with bodily eyes is not seen, who is the maker of heaven and earth:

nor does he need those sacrifices, which you to impure

demons are accustomed to offer: but he requires a sacrifice

pure and without blood. When Tiberianus had heard

these things: Cease, said he, this madness, Alexander,

and the gods themselves authors of benefits do not

despise; lest perhaps the Emperor hear these things, and against

me be indignant, that I bear you saying such things.

[3] When he had said these things, he hastened together with the Emperor

to be in the temple: for it was the time, when the Emperor

was offering sacrifices to the gods. to Maximian But mindful of those words,

which he had heard from his soldier, he approached

Maximian, and thus addressed him: All the soldiers, Emperor,

whom your majesty committed to me, obedient to your edict

I saw: but one of the soldiers not only

opposed me, but also affected the very gods with insulting

words, affirming that those gods, whom you, Emperor,

and we worship, are most impure demons: nor

does he reflect that those, who oppose the edicts of your imperium,

are killed by my hand. When Maximian had heard these things, he was very angry with the soldier, of whom he had heard these things:

and, Where, said he, is he, of whom you say these things? Go,

lead him to me, ordered to be brought, that I may know what he thinks. Then

to Maximian Tiberianus: Thus your edict, Emperor,

and myself, that soldier accounted as nothing, that he

neglected to come hither. At once Maximian ordered three soldiers

to go off, and him bound with iron chains ^c to lead to him.

[4] But blessed Alexander was resting at his home in bed:

it was about the sixth hour. Then an Angel

of the Lord in dreams appeared to him, he is strengthened by an Angel: and said: Be

strong, Alexander, since many things you are about to suffer for

the name of Christ crucified: for many torments are prepared

for you. Behold, the soldiers of the Emperor come to you:

but do not fear, nor let your heart be afraid: for I

am sent, that I may bring help to you against all those

torments, which are to be inflicted by the Emperor. Rise

therefore, and pray to your God: for I shall be with you,

until you complete the course. When blessed Alexander

had heard these things from the Angel, he rose, and to God this Psalm

he sang: He who dwells in the help of the Most High, in

the protection of the God of heaven shall abide. Psalm 90 He shall say to the Lord,

You are my support, and my refuge in

the day of my tribulation: and what follows.

[5] When he had finished the whole Psalm, having gone forth from his

home, he met those soldiers, whom he had once had as comrades.

and offering himself to be bound voluntarily, Who when they had seen Alexander, from

fear fell to the ground: for his appearance was

as lightning. Then blessed Alexander said:

Rise, brothers: why are you afraid? To whom the soldiers

responded: We have seen you surrounded by the power of God,

and from fear we have fallen to the ground. To these things

Alexander: Hear, said he, brothers: that heavenly God

has provided for his servant. Do therefore what you have been ordered

against him, against whom you have been sent, and lead me bound.

Then the soldiers responded: We had decided

to say nothing to you: how then have you yourself

come to know these very things? I have no need, said Alexander,

to speak many things to you, since I hasten to the contest

set before me, which the heavenly Emperor has prepared for me.

For from the city of Rome to Byzantium

I shall go.

[6] When blessed Alexander had said these things, he bent his knees,

and sent forth these prayers to God: after prayers poured forth, Lord Jesus

Christ, God of our fathers, you are praiseworthy and blessed

forever. Now I beseech you, Lord, that you not separate

me from the fellowship of your just, nor me coming to you

drive away: since your name holy

and terrible you have made known to me, because you are my helper and

supporter. Send, I beseech, Lord, your Angel,

who may bring help to me, he is led to Maximian, and before Maximian

the Emperor supply ready speech to my tongue.

These prayers when Alexander had completed,

the soldiers laid hands on him, and bound

led him to Maximian the Emperor. But

his mother Pœmenia did not know of this matter. The soldiers

therefore hastened as soon as possible to lead Alexander

to the Emperor's tribunal. But the crowds when they had seen

him, were greatly astonished: for he was in age

very robust, in his eighteenth year as it were,

of appearance so handsome, that he seemed to bear the look

of some Angel. But when they had also seen

him very cheerful, struck with great fury, they said:

Should not he, who is such, much earlier have been

brought before the Emperor? When blessed Alexander

had heard these things, blazing up, and his face like fire

kindled, turning to those wicked men:

You, said he, announce concerning me to your Emperor.

Maximian therefore when he had heard that Alexander

was at hand, ordered Tiberianus to be summoned. Who when he had come:

Behold, said the Emperor, here is he, on whose account we have sent

soldiers.

[7] When he had said these things, he ordered Alexander before

the tribunal to be set. Then Maximian: Truly, Alexander,

have you despised my majesty, he professes the faith, that so foolishly and

insolently you refused to follow the Tribune together with your comrades to the temple,

so that with me together you would worship the great god

Jupiter? To these things Alexander: I, said he,

worship my God, who is in the heavens, and his son

Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit: for another

I myself neither know, nor can confess, since there is no other

God, except whom I myself worship. Since therefore besides

this heavenly God there is no other, do not interrogate me further

about another god. As for what concerns your majesty,

I do not fear either your threats or your torments,

whatever are to be inflicted on me by you. These things

heard, the angry Maximian said: Indeed what can

that God of yours do, whom you say? Alexander responded:

My God is not seen with bodily eyes, but

can do all things: nor is there anything, which

is not subject to his power. But Maximian:

Is he God, who by men was nailed to the cross and

killed? Be silent, Satan, and proclaims that Christ rose from death. said

Alexander: for you are not worthy to name Christ

crucified. Foolish one, whom you said was crucified and

dead, did you not also hear that the same rose from the dead,

and to many, who had been dead,

restored life?

[8] To these things Maximian: I pity your

youth, that I see you to be of very young age.

Pity yourself, said Alexander, your condition, and

repenting snatch yourself from the snares of the devil. you despise threats and flatteries: Then Maximian

said: Approach, most miserable one, and to the god Jupiter sacrifice,

lest you perish by the worst death. You yourself, said

Alexander, call most miserable, who venerate impure

demons: for I neither your threats, nor

torments, whatever you yourself are about to inflict, fear,

since I have the true God as helper. But Maximian:

I have already said, that I am moved by mercy on you:

approach therefore and sacrifice to the gods: and if you do this,

know that you will be one of those numbered, who in my royal

palace hold the first places. And who, said

Alexander, is that god, to whom you wish me to offer sacrifice?

To whom Maximian: To the great god Jupiter you shall offer

sacrifice. Then blessed Alexander, with hands raised to heaven,

thus prayed God: Lord Jesus Christ,

do not abandon me your humble servant, but

bring help to me a sinner and unworthy. And when his prayers

he had completed, he raised his eyes to heaven, and saw

the heavens open, and the son of God sitting at the Father's

right hand: and then again interrogated Maximian:

To which god do you wish me to sacrifice? To Jupiter the great, said

he. To these things Alexander: Do you not know, that he

is a demon and deceitful, whom you call god? you reproach the foulness of Jupiter: Once

he desired a certain woman, and seized by love of her,

clothed himself in the form of a bull, and by his deceits

deceived and defiled the wretched woman. Maximian when he had heard

these things, laughing said: This shows the power of our gods,

that to men they show themselves such

as they themselves wish. Therefore, said Alexander,

you praise their foul deeds, because with them

you agree; nor have you known that God, who you with honor

and this Empire endowed.

[9] Then Maximian: Indeed to me the gods this Empire

bestowed. To whom Alexander: You indeed, said he,

have hated truth, and on that account you do not know God: and

though you seem prudent, yet you have destroyed yourself,

placing trust in demons. Again Maximian said:

I greatly indeed pity you, and on that account I bear with you,

since you despise me, and so speak with me, as if

I were like you. Therefore, said Alexander,

I myself despise you, he urges the Tyrant to repent: who though prudent in appearance,

have become foolish, worshipping mute idols lacking sense.

For when you have impiously abandoned the immortal God who lives forever,

your father Satan the devil

you have followed. Leave therefore the darkness, and to the light

turn yourself, lest you perish, and into eternal fire be handed over.

Then the angry Maximian ordered to be summoned to him

Tiberianus the Tribune: and when he had cast Alexander out,

handing him over to Tiberianus: Behold, said he, this man

I hand over to your power, indeed I command, that from

the city of Rome to Byzantium you diligently inquire about

our gods, by whom he is handed over to Tiberianus, and about Jesus, who is called, whom Alexander worships:

whose followers, whomever you find,

I would not have you spare, nor this Alexander: but both him, and

all Christians you should afflict, however it shall seem good to you,

that all opposing my edict may know

that they can be killed by my hand. Then blessed Alexander:

I give thanks to you, Tyrant, that through many regions

you have ordered me to be made famous. By the gods themselves, said

Maximian, you shall not escape the hands of Tiberianus: for

he will not pity you, just as I have pitied

you. To whom Alexander: For this matter also to my God

I shall give thanks, if perchance I may be found worthy, that everywhere

among the nations for the name of Christ I may suffer labors and afflictions.

[10] When Maximian had heard these things, he ordered Alexander

to be cast outside the tribunal. Whom when Tiberianus

had cast out, and handed over to his power, on the next

day sitting on the tribunal, he ordered him to be led there. But

when he was being led, he laughed and said: Behold how again Satan

has prepared himself, and is armed against me. But after

he had entered, Tiberianus thus addressed him:

What is it, O Alexander? Do you still in that rashness

of yours persist? Do, what I say: sacrifice to the gods, and

free yourself from torments. Alexander responded:

I myself have seen the everlasting glory prepared for me: by whose order tortured he is led into Thrace.

at which I have been delighted, and my spirit has exulted. To

these things Tiberianus: If you do, what the Emperor ordered, and

sacrifice to the gods, then more shall you rejoice and exult:

but if you continue to act rashly, this I foretell to you by

all the gods, through all cities and regions your bones

are to be dispersed by me. I, said Alexander, do

what my heavenly Lord commands, and your threats

I do not fear, nor your torments do I dread. When

Tiberianus had heard these things, struck with anger, he ordered Alexander

to be suspended, and his flesh to be torn. But when he was being torn,

he uttered no voice: but raising his eyes to

heaven, he gave thanks to God himself. When Tiberianus had seen this,

he ordered the soldiers to take Alexander down from the wood

and lead him outside the city, and bound with heavy chains

to lead him into Thrace.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Journey from Rome to Beroea and torments tolerated in various places.

[11] But an Angel of the Lord appeared to his mother

in dreams, and said: Rise, Pœmenia: as

quickly as possible prepare your boys and beasts of burden, His mother accompanies him. having no trouble

in your mind, and follow your son:

for martyrdom for the confession of Christ he is to undergo.

This therefore, as I said, let it not be troublesome to you:

nor cease before, than to the place set before him

you arrive. The mother of Alexander, when she had heard these things from

the Angel, was greatly delighted: and when she had risen,

just as the Angel had told her, making her journey she followed her son.

Who having entered the city, into which he had been led,

there found him, at the time when by Tiberianus the President

he was being interrogated. When therefore that excellent woman had

seen him, with a loud voice she sent forth: God, said she, the Most High,

the good shepherd, in whom you believed, may be your helper,

my son. But after Tiberianus had heard the voice of that woman,

he asked what that voice was: nor

could anyone of that crowd, which stood there in great numbers,

say from where that voice had come.

[12] Then to Alexander said Tiberianus: Come, wretched one,

sacrifice to the gods. I sacrifice, said Alexander, the sacrifice

of praise to my heavenly God. To these things the Judge: Did you

not say to me, Alexander, that your God

needs no sacrifices? With such, said he, sacrifices,

as you offer, my God needs not: torches applied but the sacrifice

of justice and sanctity he requires, since our God

is holy. Then Tiberianus ordered burning torches

to be applied to his cheeks, saying: Let us see, whether

his God will come, and free him from my hands.

So the ministers of Satan did what they had been ordered, and

burning torches applied to Alexander. But he, with eyes raised

to heaven, was saying these things: Glory be to you, Lord

Jesus Christ, who sent the Archangel Michael to

Babylon, and freed those three boys from the furnace of fire.

You, Lord, free me from this hour and

present anguish, and subject this tyrant to your

power, that I also may say with David: We have passed

through fire and water, and you have led us out into refreshment. Psalm 65

But when Tiberianus had seen, he is not burned: that the very fire had no

force against Alexander, he blushed, and to his servants

ordered, that they should lead him bound by chains:

to whom also he said: Meanwhile go ahead: but I shall follow.

But the mother of Alexander, when she had seen her son led from the sight of the Judge,

asked the soldiers, that they

would allow her to approach and address her son. When therefore she

had drawn near, and Alexander had seen his mother: Well,

said he, my lady mother, you have come hither: follow

me until that place, which is set before me,

just as Christ the Lord has revealed this to me.

But certain ones from the number of the soldiers when they saw these things,

were saying: You indeed, Alexander, are blessed,

since great is your faith: for great is the God

of the Christians. Behold how having suffered many torments for

his name, you have received nothing of evil.

[13] Saying these things they were making the journey, as they had been ordered

by Tiberianus. after a fast of 40 days But when they had come to a fountain, and

had sat down by it, they began together to take food:

and they were urging Blessed Alexander, that he too

would do the same: for forty days had passed, in which that most blessed

man had tasted neither bread, nor water.

Then the athlete of Christ, with knees bent to the earth,

began to sing this psalm: I have lifted up my eyes

to the mountains, whence shall come help to me: my help

is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 120 Lord

Jesus Christ, preserve me your sheep without the stain

of sin, lest my enemy rejoice over me: since

I have known your name holy and terrible. Do not

confound me before this tyrant, but send your Angel

and your right hand, and be my helper and protector.

He is strengthened by an Angel: And when he had completed his prayers, at that very

hour stood by an Angel of the Lord, and said to him: Do not fear,

Alexander, since the Lord has heard your prayers,

and has sent me, that I may bring help to you. But when

those, who were with him, heard the voice of the Angel speaking with him,

and saw no one, they were greatly frightened,

and were prostrated to the ground. Then Alexander: What,

said he, brothers, did you see, that has prostrated you to the ground?

But they responded: We have heard the voice

of God speaking with you, and we have been struck with fear,

not bearing such a sound.

[14] As they were saying these things, came Tiberianus with

his attendants. There were also with him the Optimates of that city.

Tiberianus asked his ministers, by what

name that place was called. established at the tribunal They responded,

it was called the place of Judgment. Lead, said Tiberianus,

hither Alexander, who says he is a Christian, that

I may interrogate him, what is his counsel, if perchance,

with changed mind, to the gods he wishes to offer sacrifice. When

therefore the Judge himself sat at the tribunal, four

councillors stood by. Then he interrogated Blessed Alexander:

Do you still in that depraved rashness and madness of yours

persist, and do not sacrifice to the gods? But, as I see, your

body is robust, and on that account you do not wish to offer sacrifices

to the gods. I certainly pity you, and on that account to the gods

themselves, lords of all, I would have you turn. Then

Alexander responded: Impious and blinded son of Satan,

since you have given yourself over to the devil, how do you pity

me? For Satan your father shows mercy to no one:

but wishes all together with himself into the hellfire

of fire to drag and destroy. Thus, said Tiberianus,

most wicked man, do you speak with me, as if

I were like you? Do you on that account with insulting

words affect me, he threatens the tyrant with the judgment of God: because I have followed you with kindness and mercy?

This indeed should have urged you, that

with honor rather than with insult, you should follow me.

Then Alexander: Truly you are like your father Satan, who

like some most hard flint, lack utterly all sense.

Do you not know that this place is called Judgment?

Which thing manifestly signifies, that the judgment of God hangs over you.

For he will come, who is to judge the living and

the dead, and to render to each the reward of works.

Then you will be able to know, whether these things, which I have told you,

are true. For God himself will also judge you, that

without mercy you judge his servant. For he sees,

how impiously you act with me, and with what torments

you torture me: but these things will bring me glory, but to you

the greatest destruction.

[15] These things heard, Tiberianus was greatly angry,

and ordered caltrops to be scattered on the ground, and Alexander

over them to be stretched and pulled apart. dragged and beaten he does not feel pain: When that most blessed man

was suffering these afflictions, he uttered not even a voice.

But Tiberianus, when he noticed that Alexander

did not feel those tortures, more angry, with ashen

rods ordered him to be beaten. But he when by the soldiers

he was being beaten: Are these, said he, most impure man, your

torments? Add others, if you have any more bitter than these,

for I aided by divine help, feel none of these torments,

since my Lord Jesus Christ

is at hand to me, and brings help. You have therefore my body

in your power: do to it what pleases you: but my soul,

neither you, nor your father Satan

shall ever rule, but my Lord Jesus

Christ. To these things Tiberianus: Now, now I shall cast you

into fire, that I may see, whether this Christ of yours

will come, whom you say, and snatch you from my hands. For this

I would have you know, that your flesh and bones through the individual regions,

through which I shall pass, shall be scattered: and, lest

women themselves find anything of your flesh and bones,

which afterwards with most fragrant ointments they may anoint,

and as some holy relics they may venerate,

I shall order your ashes to be cast into a river: and so not even

a trace of your memory shall remain.

[16] Then Alexander: Christ himself, said he, will destroy

you, and your flesh and bones under the heaven so will scatter, The Tribune by the prediction of the Martyr, that

your monument as soon as possible may perish: for it will be

so, that, my Lord Jesus Christ so providing,

you will not return, nor the sight of your wicked

Emperor see: and God will blot out your memory

from the earth, since you did not know him, nor wretched one

did you honor him, who this honor and power

bestowed on you. For if you had known him, in heaven

you could have lived. But now you have abandoned the living God,

and your father Satan you love, with whom into the hellfire

of fire thrust down you shall perish. But I shall always bless my Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ, who

will snatch me from your iniquitous hands, since to him

is glory and dominion forever. When Tiberianus

had received these things, struck with great fury, he changed his face,

and ordered his ministers to remain in that place, and supper

to prepare. He himself lay down there with all his attendants:

but Alexander the soldiers themselves were keeping placed under

a certain tree. But when Tiberianus

was lying down, an Angel of the Lord very terrible stood by him,

who holding a sword: Tiberianus, said he, against

you I have come, since with Alexander the servant of God

so iniquitously you bear yourself, that you may see and know, how easily

with this sword I could kill you. Rise therefore, and through

the Illyrian region to Byzantium as quickly as possible hasten:

for the time of Alexander the servant of God now

is near. and terrified by the apparition of the Angel, When Tiberianus had seen the matter so terrible,

he was so seized with trembling, that his flesh almost dissolved.

When therefore trembling he had risen, his cohorts

and his princely men having been called together, that vision

he narrated. Then they said: We indeed wished

to admonish you, that not evilly and unjustly should you torture the servant of God,

but we feared: for we also have heard, that great

is the God of the Christians, and those, who his

servants torture, are to be consumed by fire.

[17] These things heard, Tiberianus was very afraid, and at that very

hour of the night ordered all to make the journey, and Blessed Alexander

to go ahead. But when many cities he had passed by,

into none did he enter, in order to keep what from the Angel

through the vision he had heard, by whom he had been admonished, that

through the Illyrian region as soon as possible to Byzantium

he should hasten. Through many days therefore he did not dare from

Blessed Alexander to seek anything: whose body in no

part had been weakened, but whole and robust

it was. Passing through therefore the Illyrian region, he came

into the city of ^a Sardica, into which neither he, nor

the Judge entered. through Illyricum to Sardica But when the Optimates of that city

had heard him approaching, they went out to meet him with

a great retinue. The Christian men also,

who were there, when they had heard Tiberianus

coming, having a certain Martyr with him, having gone out

of the city, found Alexander standing alone on the way.

Whom when they had seen, throwing themselves at his feet,

they said: Pray to God for us, servant of the Most High

God. But he: You also, said he, Brothers, for me

beseech God, that I may complete my course in Christ,

and the crown, which the Lord promised to me, from

him I may receive. Afterwards, when they had passed through the city,

which is named Clisura, and to a certain camp,

named Bonamasium, they came: which is above

the city of ^b Philippi about forty miles, there

they stopped.

[18] thence Tiberianus leads Alexander to Philippopolis. Then Tiberianus remembered Alexander, and

ordered him to be led to the tribunal, whom he thus interrogated:

Are you, Alexander, still persisting in your rashness,

and unwilling to desist from it, and to the great gods and merciful

ones to approach, Jupiter, I say, and Aesculapius,

who govern the whole world of the lands? Then

Blessed Alexander: Blinded, said he, and foolish son of Satan,

do you still wish from me to hear something else, than that to demons

I do not sacrifice? For I from the beginning said, that I am a Christian,

and the worship of the heavenly God I keep, nor

are impure demons like you worshipped by me. To these things

Tiberianus: God forbid, that I should do this: for

I do not command, that demons, but Jupiter and Aesculapius,

those highest gods, you should worship. Be silent, Satan,

said Alexander: for you understand nothing. Then Tiberianus

said: If to the gods you wish to offer sacrifice, as soon as possible

say so: but if not, why me and the gods themselves, wicked one, do you revile?

See, Alexander, what you do, and pity

yourself: again by all the gods I foretell that

through all the lands word about you will be spread.

This, said Alexander, I greatly desire, and with prayers from

my Christ I beseech, that all who inhabit the world of the lands,

to God and Christ the Lord through

me his humble and abject servant may render glory.

Then Tiberianus said: Take this man hence,

and from my sight remove: for I cannot bear his

insults. Lead him away into the city of

Philippi, and cast into prison: for I

shall follow you. So when Blessed Alexander Tiberianus

had sent ahead, he too into the city of Philippi set out.

[19] But when the inhabitants of that city had heard, that Tiberianus

with his cohorts was approaching, where the Christians console him. the Optimates

with much retinue went out to meet him:

who entered into that city, to offer sacrifice to Jupiter and Aesculapius.

The Christians also heard, who

were in that city, how Tiberianus a certain Martyr

had sent into prison. So all

into that prison gathered, and the keeper of it

beseeched, that he would allow them to go in to the Martyr of Christ,

and see him. The keeper permitted this, since he

himself also feared God. When therefore all having entered,

they had seen the blessed Martyr sitting on a wood and bound by chains,

at his feet they cast themselves, and him

and his chains they kissed, and said:

Truly fortunate and happy to us was your coming, servant

of God: for our city and homeland by this very thing happy

we know to be in the future. Patience therefore preserve, that your course

you may complete. We Christians however with much

fear and trembling inhabit this land. For of this

place, the President every day inquires after non-Christians,

that he may punish: but he indeed threatens us: yet

he has no power, by which he might detain us,

so that we should not be Christians: for many, with divine

help aiding, are in this city, who hold the faith of Christ,

of whose number are also the Optimates of this city.

The same we hope by the power of Christ that the Gentiles

themselves, thinking ill of the Christian faith, will so be overcome,

that all may become Christians. Be therefore

patient Martyr of Christ, and whatever tortures from the impious Judge

are inflicted, bear them with strong mind.

[20] Meanwhile Tiberianus remembered, that by his order

Alexander had been sent into prison. So to the Optimates

of that city he said: You ought to know,

that a Christian man by the Emperor from the city of Rome

was handed over to me, whom interrogated again whom along the whole way I have admonished

and exhorted, that to the religion of the gods

he should turn: but nothing yet have I accomplished in him:

for answering certain hard things, both me and the gods themselves

he despises: and when to many tortures I have subjected him,

he has been hurt by none of these. If it pleases therefore, with you present,

I shall order him to be summoned hither: perhaps revering

many, to the gods themselves the authors of benefits

he will turn himself. Alexander therefore led out of the prison,

he ordered to be summoned there, and before the tribunal to be set. When

therefore he had been led there, Tiberianus with the President of the city

thus interrogated Alexander: Come, Alexander, are

you still not persuaded, that from the former opinion

you should depart? And although Christian men, who are in this

city, all sacrifice to the gods, do you alone resist us,

and despise the gods? Come at last now together with me

and with the President enter the temple, and to the gods

sacrifice. Then Blessed Alexander: Blinded mind man,

son of Satan sitting together with you, strongly responds: what do you wish further from me

to hear? Most often I have told you, that I am a Christian,

and to impure demons I do not sacrifice: now

therefore in the hearing of all I profess, that of the heavenly

God I am a worshipper, nor of my Lord Jesus

Christ is the name denied by me. Know that nothing further from me

shall you hear.

[21] When Tiberianus together with the President had heard these things,

he ordered Alexander to be removed from there, saying: and led to the river Sermius Lead away

this one, soldiers, and bound through the street lead:

for I shall follow you. But when the soldiers together with him

had come to a certain river, whose name is

turned toward the rising sun, with these words prayed God:

Lord Jesus Christ, I praise the glorious and

most holy name yours, which you gave to me, that

in the city of Philippi the confession of your name I might keep.

These things said, the soldiers led him away: and when to a certain place

they had come, where there was an emporium, which

was called Castrametation, them Tiberianus followed:

who when he had called Alexander, thus said to him: Do you know,

Alexander, that often by myself you have been admonished,

and yet to the gods you have not wished to offer sacrifice? Again,

said Alexander, son of Satan, do you wish from me to hear,

that I do not sacrifice? Often I have said that I am a Christian.

Then Tiberianus struck with anger, ordered Alexander, most cruelly beaten

bound to four stakes and stretched out, by four

soldiers with two hundred blows to be struck. These tortures

when that most holy Martyr was strongly enduring,

he uttered no voice, but his eyes to heaven, to

his Lord Jesus Christ raised he held.

Then this voice was heard, sent down from heaven: Be of good

mind, Alexander, and do not fear those torments: for they are short,

and I am with you. This voice having been heard

Tiberianus was very afraid, and ordered the executioners from

Alexander to abstain. The soldiers therefore led him away.

[22] near Carasura Afterwards to a certain camp, whose name

is Carasura, which forty miles from the city

of Philippi, and eighteen distant from Beroea, Alexander

and Tiberianus came. And when Tiberianus

had entered there, in that camp he stayed about

the sixth hour. But the soldiers having the holy Martyr Alexander

with them, together with him near the camp

turned aside to another place planted with trees. Then

Martyr Alexander said to the soldiers: Let us go, brothers, to

those trees: for when he had seen that place, he was greatly

delighted. So when they had come there: Truly, said he,

brothers, I thirst. But they: And from where shall we have water

here? Wait a little, brothers, said Alexander:

for my God can also in this place

supply us with water. And when he had said these things, with knees

bent, he thus prayed God: Lord Jesus Christ, who

cleft a stone in the wilderness once, and water out of it

led forth, lest your people Israel should fail from thirst:

now you merciful look upon your servant, and in this place

provide water, that I your servant may drink, and to your name

render glory. Exodus 17 These things said, immediately the earth, which

was below those trees, was opened, and very cold and most pure

water erupted: from which both Alexander, by his prayers he obtains water. and

the soldiers who were with him, drank. When the soldiers had seen

this, that so wonderfully the holy Martyr had done,

they were amazed, and among themselves were saying: Truly great is

the God of the Christians, since thus his servants he hears.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Journey from Beroea to Drizipara. Martyrdom, burial.

[23] Then Tiberianus sitting at the tribunal, ordered

Blessed Alexander to be led there: whom interrogating:

Come, said he, tell, Alexander: Do you do what

the Emperor commands, or not? He responded: I to the heavenly

Emperor's edict wish to obey, nor do I think you to be

anything, nor your Emperor, a mortal

and fleeting man. This response when the President

had received from him, no longer there did he wish to interrogate

him; but the soldiers having been called: Quickly, said he,

seize this one, and into the city of [a] Beroea lead him away.

The soldiers therefore took him, Led to Beroea the Saint and to a certain river

came, whose name was Arzon. But

when they were tired from the way, they themselves at that river

were refreshing themselves. There also Blessed Alexander washed his hands and

face. And when he had seen certain rather tall trees:

Come, said he, brothers, and a little under those trees

let us rest. When therefore there the soldiers with

Alexander were sitting, came Tiberianus; who when he had seen them

so sitting: Why, said he, most wicked servants,

do you allow this man to sit? But after

Tiberianus entered into the city of Beroea,

the Optimates of that city received him. Although

most of them held the faith of Christ, yet from fear of the Emperor

they dissembled the matter. But those

who professed the Christian faith, hearing

that the Martyr of Christ Alexander was coming there, with great

joy affected, is encouraged by the Christians: received him: whom they thus greeted:

Happy and fortunate is your coming into our city and our homeland,

servant of God Alexander: for by your coming

all our affairs have been made happier. Be

therefore strong for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and do not at all doubt.

[24] When they were still speaking words, Tiberianus ordered

Alexander to be set before the tribunal. Whom when he had near

him: Come, said he, Alexander, obey me,

as your father, and coming with me to the gods sacrifice

offer: for if you do this, in the hearing of all these

I promise you, that you shall immediately be released;

and, if from that very hour with me you wish to be, you shall be as

one of those, who hold the chief place in the army itself;

but if to be with me does not please you, may you be allowed

to go wherever it pleases. When Blessed Alexander had heard these things,

laughing he said: O bitter and sad consolation,

which on me you have used! and turning away from the flattering tyrant Those words of yours of bitterness

are full; for that admonition brings greater torture

to my soul. But may God avert this, that I

should follow your counsel. Most often I have told you, that I

am a Christian, and to impure demons I do not sacrifice.

This therefore know, that I shall say nothing else, except what you have heard,

hereafter. Then Tiberianus going out

from the city, ordered the soldiers, that they should lead Alexander bound

through the public road, and the Tribune himself

the Martyr should follow. When therefore Tiberianus had come to the

ford of the river, which we mentioned above, the second ford, which

place was about forty miles distant from the city of Beroea,

where also there were many lodgings, there he was awaiting the Martyr.

But after the Martyr Alexander came

there, where Tiberianus was, he asked him, that time should be granted

to him, in which he might pray to God. And when there

he had seen a great walnut tree, he approached it,

under which with knees bent he so prayed God: Lord

Jesus Christ, send your Angel, he desires the end of life: and receive my soul,

since I can bear nothing more.

But when Tiberianus had seen Alexander praying:

Again, said he, this one undertakes magical prayers.

I greatly wonder, from where this one has these prudent

orations learned; for I know by my hands he was

raised, and made a soldier: nor

did I ever know, that he knew these things. This therefore is what I greatly

wonder, from where he has learned these things. Therefore him to himself

he called, and with these words addressed: Come now, Alexander,

sacrifice to the gods. To these things he: Truly your mind is bathed

in shadows, who compel me again to tell you, what

most often saying me you have heard.

[25] When Tiberianus heard these things, he ordered most hot oil

to be made, and over his back to be poured. there variously tortured but in vain, But an Angel

of the Lord came, and the vessel, in which the oil was,

shattered, and the oil itself on the ministers of Tiberianus poured.

When he had seen this, kindled with fury, and

rebuking his ministers: Thus, said he, can you do nothing to this one?

nor has Alexander suffered anything?

Then ordering him to be beaten with bars, he said: Sacrifice

to the gods, Alexander. To these things he: Be silent Satan,

who are the enemy of truth, and friend of your father the devil.

Hearing these things the President was angry with him, and gnashing his teeth,

ordered him, with face turned to the earth, to be prostrated under that

walnut, and by four executioners to be beaten. But when he

was being beaten, he uttered no voice. Then

seeing Tiberianus, that he was accomplishing nothing, ordered the soldiers

to cease. But Alexander when he had risen, these

prayers to God poured forth: Lord God, bless,

I beseech, this tree, since under its branches your name

holy I confessed. When Alexander had said these things,

a multitude of Christian men, which

up to the tree, which we mentioned, had accompanied him,

with him saluted, into their regions returned.

[26] But the soldiers, when they had laid hold of the holy Martyr,

went off through that road, through which by the President

they had been ordered: but the President was following, having a band

with him. And when those soldiers together with the blessed

Martyr he had overtaken, they came together to a certain place,

named Bortia. But the President asked

of the men of that place, by what way more compendiously

to the province of ^b Europolitania they could come.

They responded, that the journey would be more compendious, he is led through Bortia, and Burtodexion, if

passing through the mountains, into a certain plain they should descend,

into that place, which was called Burtodexion.

For when Tiberianus had heard that many Christians were in the city of

lest he should enter that city. When therefore that city

he had left on the right, and the camp on the left,

he passed through those mountains, just as from the men of that place

he had learned, and came into Burtodexion. But when the blessed

Martyr Alexander had come there, where he consoles his mother: he found his mother.

Who, having seen her son, threw herself at his feet, and began

to weep. But afterwards she rose, and kissed her son.

Then Blessed Alexander said to her: Do not, my mother, weep:

for I hope it shall be, that with my Lord Jesus Christ's

help aided, on tomorrow's day my course I shall complete.

But Tiberianus stayed at that camp, and

at the eighth hour of the night thence departed, and his soldiers

ordered to follow, leading Alexander bound.

[27] But the sun having risen, he came to a certain river,

at which there was a lodging. The men of that place

said this river was called Zioncellus.

There Tiberianus summoned Blessed Alexander to him, and said

to him: Come, Alexander, hear me, and the gods themselves

confess. again having professed the faith, Then Alexander: Most vain, said he, man,

and given over to your father Satan, again you interrogate me, and

call gods what are not? To these things Tiberianus: Many

tortures I have applied to you, and yet have I accomplished nothing,

and from my city and homeland I have wandered,

nor yet could I obtain, that I might turn you to the gods.

Now therefore know, that on this present day of your affairs

the end shall be. at last Drusipara And when he had said this, to that place

he hastened, in which the martyr of Christ was to complete

his contest. Quickly therefore he came to a place,

which was called Druzipera. He sat in a certain elevated

place beyond the river Ergina, toward the rising

sun turned. And when he had summoned Alexander:

Behold, said he, your end on this present day is at hand.

I order your body to be cast into the river, that those wild beasts,

which are in the waters, may consume your flesh. Thanks,

said Alexander, I shall give to you, tyrant, if truly you do

what you have said, he is condemned to death: that the Lord may snatch me from your iniquitous

hands. These things heard, the sentence against him Tiberianus

pronounced. And when to four soldiers

he had handed him over to be struck with the axe, them he dismissed, and thence

departed.

[28] The soldiers therefore laid hold of him, and to

the right side of that road inclining toward the North they hastened,

that they might do what they had been ordered. But blessed

Alexander, when he had looked here and there about, and

the crowds, which had gathered for his spectacle, had seen;

asked the executioner, and prayers having been poured forth that he would grant him the opportunity of praying to God:

and when the executioner had granted this, he asked for water.

Then one of those, who had come to the spectacle, with a certain

vessel water from the river Ergina quickly to Blessed Alexander

brought: but he washed his hands and face, and

his whole body with the Cross thrice signed, and to the East

turning: Glory, said he, be to you, God of our fathers,

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom all things tremble at

and adore, maker of heaven and earth, and of all

heavenly power the effecter. You also of all

things God, with bodily eyes not visible,

incorrupt and inviolate, the Seraphim with great

fear adore: who not daring with raised eyes

to behold you, cry: Holy, Holy, Holy: full

is all the earth of your glory. The sun itself through the ether its quadriga

leading, blesses you. The earth and men,

who are on the earth, beasts of burden and every spirit to you

sing glory, who alone are forever Father,

Son, and Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, those,

who fearing you, are pleasing to you, and your holy name

sing. Do not despise me, Lord most kind,

your servant a sinner and unworthy.

[29] These things said, by his example he stirs up the crowd: he turned to that crowd, which had come there,

and said: I admonish you, brothers and fathers,

and in the name of my God I exhort you, that you may remember my labors,

which I did not refuse to suffer: nor was I sluggish

for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that

he may be propitious to my sins and to our nation, since

merciful and most clement is the Lord Jesus

Christ himself. For you know, brothers, how great a journey I have made

with the impious and iniquitous Tiberianus: who along the whole way

never sparing me, inflicted many tortures upon me.

But I have endured all these things for the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that my course I might complete,

and overcome the tyrant waging war against me,

and the devil contending: for he was

the helper of Tiberianus. And when he had said these things to the crowds, to

the executioner turned: Wait, said he, brother, a little,

that I may yet pray to God; and, with knees bent, he so prayed

God: Lord Jesus Christ, hear your servant,

who for the cause of your name has labored, and grant grace

to my body, that in whatever place it shall be deposited, there

signs, prodigies and cures to the glory of your name

may be performed. Immediately this voice was sent down from the heavens:

Whatever you have asked, beloved and perfect Martyr Alexander, he is comforted by the heavenly voice

I shall do, nor shall I deny anything.

Now come, and with your fathers rest; for prepared

is for you the kingdom of heaven, and Michael

the Archangel will receive you, about to receive the crown, which

you have desired. This voice having been heard, the blessed Martyr rose

from the earth, and the soldiers having exhorted: Quickly, said he, brothers,

do what you have been ordered.

[30] But a certain Cælestinus (so was called

one of those, who were standing there) said to him: I am he,

Martyr of Christ, to whom this business has been entrusted:

but pray to God for me, lest this matter be a sin to me.

Then Blessed Alexander: Come, said he, son, do what you have been ordered:

for it is no sin to do, what you have been ordered.

When he had said this, Cælestinus drew his sword, he is struck with the sword: and

a linen cloth taken, the eyes of Blessed Alexander he covered. But when

he wished to strike him, he saw an Angel standing by,

nor did he dare further to lay hands on him.

Then Blessed Alexander: Come, brother, do what you have been

ordered. But the executioner: I fear, said he, servant of God; for I see

certain terrible men standing around you. Then Blessed Alexander

so prayed God: Lord Jesus Christ,

grant, that at this hour I may be able to complete my martyrdom. These

prayers having been sent to God, the Angels withdrew a little from him.

So the executioner with a sword Alexander's head

cut off; and the soul of that blessed man the Angels to heaven

took up, praising God himself with great voice;

with all the crowds, which were there, hearing. So

Blessed Alexander completed his martyrdom in the name of the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit.

[31] But his mother when hastening to that place

she had come, which was called Zorolus, asking from the soldiers

of Tiberianus; Where, said she, is my son? The body taken from the river by dogs

Then to her one of the soldiers responded: Sentence today

against your son was decreed in a certain place, which is called

Druzipera: but it is distant hence (as I think)

about eighteen miles. When therefore the mother

learned the matter to be so, having entered the public road,

she came to that place, which was called Druzipera.

But while she was making the journey and lamenting, and

like some cow seeking her own calf, was groaning,

she met the soldiers. For they when the holy

Martyr's head they had cut off, his body into the river

had cast. But by divine providence it happened, that

four dogs came to that river, and the holy

Martyr's body found, drew out of the river,

and with their tongues licking it, and sitting nearby

guarded it. But when Blessed Alexander's mother had come within two

miles of that place, in which the Martyr's

body lay; those two dogs running up, is buried by his mother Pœmenia:

came toward her, and each, one on the right side,

the other on the left, the woman to her son directly

led. But she received the holy Martyr's body,

and with many ointments and precious linens wrapped,

deposited it in a certain notable monument beyond

the river Ergina, toward the setting sun, just as

it seemed good to the Holy Spirit. But afterwards,

since having the Holy Spirit as helper, all,

which she desired, she fulfilled, of our Lord Jesus Christ

by the prevailing grace, many Angels together with her Psalms

sang.

[32] But great certain miracles the blessed martyr

Alexander performing, helps those, who are afflicted, and to those, he is famous for miracles,

who with long-lasting diseases are afflicted, brings cure,

with Christ's help aiding, of whom he himself was made

partaker. But the holy Alexander completed his martyrdom

on the thirteenth day of the month of May, under that very impious

Tiberianus, Maximian reigning, the iniquitous

and impious tyrant, but in us reigning the Lord

our Jesus Christ the Savior; to whom be glory and dominion

forever and ever. Amen.

[33] But the holy Alexander appeared, all things

having been completed, to his mother, and said to her: Well, mother,

you have labored, and along the whole way you have been wearied, that your own

son you might follow. May the Lord grant you, my

Jesus Christ in his kingdom, appearing he consoles his mother. that with me together a reward

you may have. Therefore do not be afflicted with sorrow: but your boys

with you having, with peace return into your

place: for I hope from my Lord Jesus Christ to obtain,

that quickly you also may be assumed into

that place, in which I am. When that blessed

to him, together with her boys glad she returned,

having that persuasion, that to blessed Alexander

a great gift to our Lord Jesus Christ she had offered.

Great therefore grace is in that place, where

the precious Relics of the holy and glorious Martyr

are deposited, to the glory and praise of Christ our God:

since to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

APPENDIX

Temples of St. Alexander in Thrace. On account of his Relics scattered, Chaganus King of the Avars divinely punished.

Alexander the Roman, Martyr at Drusipara in Thrace (St.)

BY G. H.

[1] Cardinal Baronius, in the Ecclesiastical Annals

at the year of Christ CCCVIII, treats of very many

Saints, crowned by martyrdom under the Emperor Maximian,

and at last in number XXVII adds these things: At the city of Drizipara

suffered Alexander the Martyr, by the virtue of miracles after his death

most known to the world. Some miracles in general

are indicated in the Life already mentioned. But he was most known in

various places of Thrace, through which he was led and afflicted with torments,

and at last crowned at Drizipara. Theophylactus Simocatta

mentions two churches dedicated to him in Thrace, Chaganus burns the church of the Saint at Anchialus,

in the History of things done under the Emperor Maurice,

which the author at that very time living there wrote. And

first in book 6 he sets forth the warlike incursions of Chaganus King of the Avars,

and in chapter 5 asserts that he came to Anchialus,

where he found a temple of the Martyr Alexander, which

departing from Anchialus he burned with flames as a sport. Anchialus

is a city of Thrace, mentioned by Ptolemy book 3 of the Geography

chapter II, afterwards Episcopal in the province of Haemimontus

under the metropolis Hadrianopolis.

[2] Thence, says Simocatta, having gone to Drizipara, he undertakes to subdue the city…

repulsed from Drizipara But divine providence

restrained certain things from the city to be overwhelmed. For

Chaganus seemed in the middle of the day to see countless phalanxes of Romans,

at once roaring to come forth from the town,

and into the field for souls to be poured forth in battle line

most eagerly to hasten. Hence he casts himself into flight,

although those, whom he had seen as adversaries, were nothing but vain

opinion, a frightening of the eyes and consternation

of mind. But afterwards, as the same Simocatta writes book 7

chapters 14 and 15, after various events of the fortune of war, the Barbarians

little by little advance to Drizipara, capture the city, the temple

of Alexander the renowned Martyr they consume in a kindled fire,

and his monument most adorned with silver

they nefariously despoil. the same afterwards captured he scatters the Relics: Indeed even the body thence most unworthily

they cast out, and wonderfully elated by victory to feast

on couches they recline. In these days therefore Jesus our Lord,

who from the Father has received imperium over all nations

and possession over all the ends of the earth,

his kingdom by Chaganus by no means without testament

he wished to be. Everywhere indeed pestilence sent in the barbarians

destroyed: and the evil was inevitable, by no

medicine, however cleverly devised, curable.

So from Chaganus, on account of Alexander the Martyr so

ignominiously treated, deserved punishment is exacted.

For seven of his sons were seized by inguinal plague,

and by vehement and fiery heat plainly in one same day

were extinguished. and therefore diminished in his sons and forces by the plague, Thus Chaganus in his victories was unhappily

happy. For instead of paeans and songs and

hymns, and applauses of hands, and rhythms of dances

and most poured-forth laughter, lamentations and tears, and grief

healable by no consolation and intolerable loss

he attained. For he was struck by armies of Angels:

and although the wound was visible, yet that battle line

could not be touched by sight…

[3] The Senate exhorts Caesar concerning Legates to be sent to Chaganus:

who having summoned Harmaton commits these parts to him.

Harmaton with many gifts to Drizipara comes. Chaganus lamenting his present fortunes,

the loss of his sons, and the pestiferous

destruction of his forces with immense grief follows.

Ten days having been there spent, Harmaton could not obtain the opportunity

of meeting. For there was vehement grief, as I said: he sanctions peace with the Romans,

nor for relieving the calamity did any way or reason appear.

On the twelfth day he is brought into the tent, and the barbarian

with gentle and placid speech soothes… At length

with many words the Legate moves him, that he should suffer

himself to be honored by gifts. On the next day, peace having been confirmed, home

he returns… But by treaty the Ister is established to divide the boundaries

of the Romans and Avars, and in this very

manner the war between the Avars and Romans was put an end to.

Thus far Simocatta.

[4] Theophanes also in his History at the year XVIII

of the Emperor Maurice, Indiction III, which is the six-hundredth year of Christ,

commemorates the irruption of Chaganus King

of the Avars: whose soldiers, barbarian men, having gone to Drizipera,

the city handed over to plunder, on St. Alexander's

temple raged with fire. And when they had found the casket of his tomb

adorned with silver; his triumph turned to grief. having first mocked and

scorned the relics of the Martyr, all the ornament

they sacrilegiously despoiled… Further God, about to avenge the injuries inflicted on the Martyr

Alexander, sent in pestilent disease

upon the barbarians, which on one single day from a fever risen from the plague

extinguished seven of Chaganus's children with countless

multitude of the people, so that instead of triumphant gladness, of victory,

of paeans, and songs, lamentations, tears

and absolutely inconsolable wailings he received. These things

Theophanes, and following him Anastasius the librarian in his

History, and Paulus Diaconus in the Miscellaneous History.

[5] The sacred Relics do not seem to have wholly perished, but many of them

by pious Christians, as in similar case often happened, some Relics at Prague,

were collected. Certainly one fragment, larger than a finger, from

the Relics of this St. Alexander to the Church of Prague around

the year MCCCIII under King Wenceslaus II came, asserts

in the Diary of the Church of Prague Thomas John Pessina

de Czechorod, Dean of the Metropolitan church of St. Vitus, now

also Bishop of Smederevo in Hungary.