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Notitia de S. Alexandro Hierosolymitano episcopo et martyre

Editors' preface

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ANNO DOMINI CCLI.

S. ALEXANDER

HIEROSOLYMITANUS EPISCOPUS ET MARTYR.

NOTITIA

(GALLAND., Veterum Patrum Biblioth., II, Proleg., p. XXVII.)

I. Alexander primum in Cappadocia episcopus, quamnam Ecclesiam rexerit. Ad sedem Hierosolymitanam translatus divinitus.

II. Post iteratam fidei confessionem illustrem, vir decora senectute conspicuus in carcerem martyr occubuit anno Domini 252 cum Ecclesiam Hierosolymitanam administrasset annis circiter 40.

III. In Aelia urbe bibliothecam insignem instruxit Alexander. Varias quoque scripsit epistolas : ad Antinoitas, ad Antiochenses, ad Origenem, et pro Origene contra Demetrium. Harum fragmenta ex Eusebio deprompta.

THE YEAR OF THE LORD 251.

ST ALEXANDER

BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND MARTYR.

NOTICE

(Galland, Library of the Ancient Fathers, II, Prolegomena, p. xxvii.)

I. Alexander, first a bishop in Cappadocia: which Church he governed. Translated by God's disposing to the see of Jerusalem.

II. After a second, illustrious confession of the faith, a man conspicuous for his comely old age, he died a martyr in prison in the year of the Lord 252, when he had administered the Church of Jerusalem for about 40 years.

III. In the city of Aelia Alexander furnished a notable library. He also wrote various letters: to the Antinoites, to the Antiochenes, to Origen, and on behalf of Origen against Demetrius. Fragments of these, drawn from Eusebius.

Alexandrum prius in Cappadocia episcopum fuisse ordinatum scribit Eusebius qui tamen urbis in qua ille sederit nomen reticet. Neque aliter Hieronymus. Flaviadis episcopum fuisse Alexandrum statuunt Valesius et Tillemontius, ex jure Graeco-Romano : cujus tamen textus verba ita corrupta existimavit Wesselingius, ut ipsi ambigendum non videatur, quin hac in parte non sit peccatum. Utcunque sit, « Antonini Caracallae anno 2, Christi 213, » ut habet Eusebius in Chronico, « Alexander tricesimus quintus Hierosolymorum episcopus ordinatur adhuc vivente Narcisso, et cum eo pariter Ecclesiam regit. » Rem fusius alibi enarrat idem episcopus Caesariensis. « Interea, inquit, cum Severus decem et octo annis imperium tenuisset, Antoninus (Caracalla) filius (ejus) in ejus locum successit. Qua tempestate Alexander, unus ex eorum numero qui in persecutione (Severi) fortiter certaverant, et qui post gloriosa confessionis certamina divina Providentia fuerant reservati, quem nos Hierosolymorum episcopum fuisse paulo ante retulimus, ob

That Alexander was first ordained bishop in Cappadocia is written by Eusebius, who however passes over in silence the name of the city wherein he sat. Nor does Jerome write otherwise. Valesius and Tillemont hold that Alexander was bishop of Flavias, from the Graeco-Roman law: the words of which text, however, Wesseling judged to be so corrupt that it seems to him beyond doubt that an error has been committed in this part. However that may be, "in the 2nd year of Antoninus Caracalla, the 213th of Christ," as Eusebius has it in the Chronicle, "Alexander is ordained thirty-fifth bishop of Jerusalem while Narcissus is still living, and rules the Church together with him." The same bishop of Caesarea relates the matter more at length elsewhere. "Meanwhile," says he, "when Severus had held the empire eighteen years, Antoninus (Caracalla) (his) son succeeded in his place. At which time Alexander, one of the number of those who in the persecution (of Severus) had striven bravely, and who after glorious struggles of confession had been preserved by divine Providence, whom a little before we related to have been bishop of Jerusalem, on account of

Editors' notes and page, col. 201

Footnotes

(1) ‹anchor: scribit Eusebius› · call in col 201

Euseb., Hist. eccl. lib. VI, cap. 11

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapter 11.

(printed under page 107)

(2) ‹anchor: aliter Hieronymus› · call in col 201

Hieron., De vir. illustr. cap. 62.

Jerome, On Illustrious Men, chapter 62.

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(3) ‹anchor: Valesius et Tillemontius› · call in col 201

Tillem., Mém. tom. III, pag. 415.

Tillemont, Mémoires, vol. III, p. 415.

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(4) ‹anchor: jure Graeco-Romano› · call in col 201

J. Gr. Rom., tom. I, pag. 295.

Jus Graeco-Romanum, vol. I, p. 295.

(printed under page 107)

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Wessel., Probabil. lib., cap. 13, pagg. 106 seqq.

Wesseling, Probabilia, book [sic, no number], chapter 13, pp. 106 ff.

(printed under page 107)

(6) ‹anchor: in Chronico› · call in col 201

Euseb., Chron. ad ann. MMCCXXVIII.

Eusebius, Chronicle, at the year 2228.

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Id., Hist. eccl. lib. VI, cap. 8.

The same, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapter 8.

(printed under page 107)

Page

running head: S. ALEXANDER HIEROSOL. EPISC. ET MARTYR
marginal letters: A Ut presbyter ill; B insignem Christia
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other: Latin only, no Greek printed; full-width lines at top (annorum baptizatus est ... consecrari; Ejusdem decreta ... et nono.) and full-width title, heading, source line, and synopsis I-III below double rule (ANNO DOMINI CCLI. / S. ALEXANDE[R] / HIEROSOLYMITANUS EPISCOPUS [ET MARTYR.] / NOTITIA / (GALLAND. ...) / I. Alexander ... III. In Aelia urbe ... deprompta.) not set; editors' matter: I. Ut oblatio ... and Alexandrum prius in Cappadocia ...
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insignem Christianae fidei confessionem ad supra dictum episcopatum promotus est, Narcisso qui prius ibi fuerat episcopus, adhuc superstite. » Et paulo post : « Verum cum propter extremam senectutem ministerium suum obire (Narcissus) amplius non posset, supra dictum Alexandrum alterius Ecclesiae episcopum divina dispensatio per revelationem quamdam quae illi in somnis apparuerat, ad participandum cum Narcisso sacerdotis officium evocavit. Hac igitur visione tanquam divino admonitus oraculo Alexander, cum ex Cappadocia in qua primum episcopus fuerat ordinatus, Hierosolyma profectus fuisset, tum orandi, tum locorum visendorum gratia, fratres illius Ecclesiae humanissime eum excipientes, reverti posthaec in patriam non siverunt, » etc.

his distinguished confession of the Christian faith was promoted to the aforesaid bishopric, while Narcissus, who had previously been bishop there, was still surviving." And a little after: "But when by reason of extreme old age (Narcissus) could no longer discharge his ministry, the divine dispensation through a certain revelation which had appeared to him in dreams called forth the aforesaid Alexander, bishop of another Church, to share the office of priest with Narcissus. Admonished therefore by this vision as by a divine oracle, when Alexander had set out for Jerusalem from Cappadocia wherein he had first been ordained bishop, both for the sake of praying and of visiting the places, the brethren of that Church receiving him most kindly did not suffer him thereafter to return to his country," etc.

II. Nonnullis demum interjectis haec subdit : « In Palaestina autem Alexander Hierosolymorum episcopus, rursus propter Christum ad praesidis tribunal adductus, cum ex secunda hac confessione (sub Decio), magnam gloriam retulisset, Caesareae in carcerem conjectus est : vir decora senectute

II. Finally, after some things interposed, he subjoins this: "Now in Palestine Alexander bishop of Jerusalem, brought again for Christ's sake before the governor's tribunal, when from this second confession (under Decius) he had won great glory, was cast into prison at Caesarea: a man conspicuous for his comely old age

Editors' notes and page, col. 202

Footnotes

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Euseb., Hist. eccl. lib. VI, cap. 11.

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapter 11.

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Id., ibid. cap. 39.

The same, in the same work, chapter 39.

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running head: . ET MARTYR. — NOTITIA.
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et veneranda canitie conspicuus. Qui cum post praeclaram atque illustrem Christianae fidei confessionem in praesidiali judicio editam tandem in custodia animam exhalasset, Mazabanes in ejus locum episcopus Hierosolymorum renuntiatus est. » Hactenus Eusebius. De martyrio ipsius Alexandri eadem refert Dionysius Alexandrinus ad Cornelium papam scribens : « Quod, inquit, ad Alexandrum spectat, is in carcerem conjectus beato exitu defunctus est, » μακάριος ἀνεπαύσατο ; sive ut Hieronymus, « martyrio coronatur. » Pretiosa ejus mors consignatur anno Domini 252 in Chronico Eusebiano : ut proinde Hierosolymitanam Ecclesiam administrarit annis circiter 40.

and venerable grey hairs. And when after a noble and illustrious confession of the Christian faith made in the governor's court he had at length breathed forth his soul in prison, Mazabanes was proclaimed bishop of Jerusalem in his place." Thus far Eusebius. Concerning the martyrdom of Alexander himself Dionysius of Alexandria relates the same things, writing to Pope Cornelius: "As regards Alexander," says he, "having been cast into prison he departed by a blessed end," μακάριος ἀνεπαύσατο; or as Jerome says, "he is crowned with martyrdom." His precious death is recorded in the year of the Lord 252 in the Eusebian Chronicle: so that accordingly he administered the Church of Jerusalem about 40 years.

III. Pietate ac doctrina praestans Alexander inter caetera clarissima monumenta nobilem bibliothecam in Aelia urbe, quam regebat, exstruxit, in quam praesertim congessit virorum ecclesiasticorum epistolas,

III. Excelling in piety and learning, Alexander among other most illustrious monuments built a noble library in the city of Aelia, which he ruled, into which he especially gathered the letters

qui ea tempestate litteris excellentes florebant : quae quidem bibliotheca Diocletiani incendio haud conflagrasse comperitur, ut advertit Baronius : nam testatur Eusebius ad sua usque tempora integram adhuc perdurasse, atque inde uberrimam materiam ad suam Historiam ecclesiasticam contexendam se collegisse grato animo profitetur.

of ecclesiastical men who at that time flourished excelling in letters: which library indeed is found not to have been burnt up in the conflagration of Diocletian, as Baronius observes: for Eusebius witnesses that it still endured entire down to his own times, and professes with a grateful mind that he collected thence most abundant material for weaving his Ecclesiastical History.

Neque vero suis etiam scriptis Ecclesiam illustrare destitit Alexander. Aliquot enim epistolas scripsit ad Antinoitas, ex quarum una fragmentum recitant Eusebius atque Hieronymus. « Scripsit et aliam ad Antiochenses per Clementem presbyterum Alexandriae, » dum vinctus in carcere detineretur : « nec non ad Origenem, et pro Origene contra Demetrium ; » verba sunt Hieronymi l. c. Harum epistolarum fragmenta, prout exstant apud Eusebium, cum notis cl. Valesii suo loco in medium adduximus.

Nor indeed did Alexander cease to illustrate the Church by his own writings also. For he wrote several letters to the Antinoites, from one of which Eusebius and Jerome recite a fragment. "He wrote also another to the Antiochians through Clement, presbyter of Alexandria," while he was held bound in prison: "and also to Origen, and on behalf of Origen against Demetrius;" the words are Jerome's in the place cited. The fragments of these letters, as they are extant in Eusebius, with the notes of the illustrious Valesius, we have brought forward in their proper place.

Editors' notes and page, col. 203

Footnotes

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Dionys. Alex., apud Euseb. Hist. eccl. lib. VI, cap. 46.

Dionysius of Alexandria, in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapter 46.

(printed under page 114)

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Hieron., De vir. illustr., cap. 62.

Jerome, On Illustrious Men, chapter 62.

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Euseb., Chron. ad ann. MMCCLXVII.

Eusebius, Chronicle, at the year 2267.

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Baron., ad ann. 253, § 125.

Baronius, at the year 253, § 125.

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Euseb., Hist. eccl. lib. VI, cap. 20.

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapter 20.

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Id. ibid., cap. 11.

The same, in the same work, chapter 11.

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Hieron., l. c.

Jerome, in the place cited.

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Euseb., Hist. eccl. lib. VI, capp. 11, 14, 19.

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book VI, chapters 11, 14 and 19.

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(18) ‹anchor: Ἀλέξανδρος, δοῦλος› · call in col 203

Δοῦλος Κυρίου (sic). In codice Med., Maz. et Fuk. inscriptio hujus epistolae aliter legitur, hoc modo: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ δοῦλος καὶ δέσμιος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· quibus consentit Rufini interpretatio.

Servant of the Lord (sic). In the Medicean, Mazarin and Fouquet manuscripts the heading of this letter reads otherwise, thus: "Alexander, the servant and prisoner of Jesus Christ"; and Rufinus's translation agrees with them.

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(19) ‹anchor: τῆς εἱρκτῆς› · call in col 203

Κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς εἱρκτῆς. Hanc epistolam scripsit Alexander fervente adhuc persecutione, cum [e]sset in vinculis, necdum ad episcopatum Hiero[soly]morum ascitus, ut ex his verbis apparet. Hi[nc e]st, quod in inscriptione epistolae appellat se [vinctum Jes]u Jesu Christi. Ex quo conficitur, male in Chronico Eusebii Asclepiadis ordinationem conferri in annum primum Antonini Caracallae. Nam Asclepiadis ordinatio contigit eodem tempore, quo Alexander ob Christiani nominis confessionem in carcerem conjectus est. Id autem accidisse principatu Severi ipse Eusebius testatur in Chronico.

In the time of my imprisonment. Alexander wrote this letter while the persecution was still raging, when he was in chains and not yet called to the episcopate of Jerusalem, as appears from these words. Hence it is that in the heading of the letter he calls himself [prisoner] of Jesus Christ. From this it follows that Eusebius's Chronicle wrongly places Asclepiades' ordination in the first year of Antoninus Caracalla. For Asclepiades was ordained at the same time that Alexander was thrown into prison for confessing the Christian name; and Eusebius himself testifies in the Chronicle that this happened in the reign of Severus.

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(20) ‹anchor: τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς› · call in col 203

Κατ' ἀξίαν τὴν πίστιν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς. Rectius Nicephorus, κατ' ἀξίαν τῆς πίστεως, τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν ἐγκεχειρισμένον. Quod sive ex libro, sive ex conjectura Nicephorus ediderit, omnino probum videtur.

Worthily, for his faith, of the episcopate. Nicephorus has it more correctly: "entrusted with the episcopate as his faith deserved." Whether Nicephorus gave this from a manuscript or by conjecture, it seems entirely sound.

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(21) ‹anchor: μακαρίου πρεσβυτέρου› · call in col 203

Διὰ Κλήμεντος τοῦ μακαρίου πρεσβυτέρου. De Clemente Alexandrino hic loqui Alexandrum putavit Hieronymus in Catalogo. Certe Clemens Alexandrinus usque ad Severi tempora vitam produxit, et in his regionibus peregrinatus est, ut ipsemet testatur in lib. I Stromatei. Sed et Alexandri episcopi familiaris fuit; cui etiam librum dicavit De ecclesiastica regula, seu adversus Judaeos, ut (continues)

By Clement the blessed presbyter. Jerome, in his Catalogue, thought that Alexander is speaking here of Clement of Alexandria. Certainly Clement of Alexandria lived on into the times of Severus, and travelled in those regions, as he himself testifies in Book I of the Stromateis. He was also a friend of Bishop Alexander, to whom he even dedicated a book On the Ecclesiastical Rule, or Against the Jews, as (continues)

(printed under page 114)

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running head: S. ALEXANDRI HIEROSOL. EPIS
marginal letters: A et veneranda canitie; B Alexander, servus Dei
old-edition numerals: (none)
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Editors' notes and page, col. 204