Rejoice, for you were dedicated to the deepest understanding of life.Īt that time, the Bishop of Comana departed this life, whereupon a new bishop had to be ordained. Rejoice, rejecter of shallowness and rejected by the shallow. Rejoice, for you were committed to the acquisition of virtue. Rejoice, discarder of pride and discarded by the prideful. Rejoice, for you were devoted to the interior life of prayer. Rejoice, forsaker of vanity and forsaken by the vain. We therefore bring our heartfelt praises to you: They did not see, nor did they care, that beneath the blackened exterior was a man of prayer, knowledge, and virtue. You sold coal to the people of Comana, your face and clothing smudged with dark dust, and you endured their revulsion and ridicule. Saint Alexander, your renunciation of superficiality was further expressed when you became a Holy Fool for the sake of Christ. Worshipping God for Who He is and seeing His Hand in all events, you said: Alleluia. It was your purity of heart that enabled you to acquire proper knowledge and to abound in steadfast love of God, people, and the plentiful earth. You studied philosophy, science, and the Scriptures in search of true meaning and in appreciation of God’s creation. Rejoice, for you were genuine in all relationships.Īlthough you were a learned man, Saint Alexander, you were neither a smug intellectual nor a pompous authority. Rejoice, lover of the Church and loved by the Church. Rejoice, for you were obedient to the divine call to service. Rejoice, exalter of God and exalted by God. Rejoice, for you were content in pure discipleship. Rejoice, knower of Christ and known by Christ. Hence, we now have recourse to you in prayer, and we offer you these praises: We learn of you almost by accident, and yet by Divine Providence, from a discourse by Saint Gregory of Nyssa in which you were discussed in connection with Saint Gregory Thaumaturgos. Saint Alexander, you died to worldliness and lived only for Christ, seeking neither recognition for accomplishments nor security in things. Rejoice, Saint Alexander, wise and humble bishop of the flock of Christ. We are thereby enabled and honored to bring forth praises to this holy man, saying: Such was the case with Saint Alexander, Bishop of Comana, who lived into the early fourth century.
Many saints remain unknown to us, while some were almost unknown but were made known through Your compassion for us and through the daily interactions of Your people. His particular interests include Old Testament theology, biblical interpretation and biblical ethics, and he has published many books.Thank You, Heavenly Father, for letting us get to know Your saints and to partake in the history of the Church as You see fit for our salvation. Since 1991 he has been Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford and is Canon Theologian of Winchester Cathedral. Born in 1948, he was ordained priest in 1973. John Barton is emeritus Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Campion Hall, Oxford. James Ramsay retired from his ministry as an Anglican vicar in East London in 2012. He is a Priest Associate of the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God.Ĭlick here to see all books by this author.ĭaniel Lloyd is a Roman Catholic parish priest in Oxford researching the history of the wedding liturgy. His published books include ‘Silent Waiting’, ‘Wonderful Exchange’ and 'The Desert Movement'. Alexander Ryrie was until his retirement Rector of St John’s Episcopal Church, Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders.
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