(A.D. 250.)
[Usuardus, Ado, Notker, some editions of the Martyrology of Bede;
Roman Martyrology. By the Greeks on December 12th. In the Breviary of
the Knights of S. John of Jerusalem, this festival is observed with
nine lections. His life is gathered from the ecclesiastical Hist. of
Eusebius.]
Alexander, a Cappadocian bishop, having come to Jerusalem to venerate
the holy places, was elected by revelation of God to take the see
of Jerusalem in place of Narcissus, who, on account of his extreme
old age, was unable to execute the functions of his office. In the
persecution of Decius, when Alexander was advanced in years, with white
hair, he was conducted to Cæsarea, where he was imprisoned, and died in
his dungeon.