The Romans tried to kill St. Alexander of Jerusalem by throwing him to the lions, but it didn’t work. The beasts would not attack him!

Alexander began as a student in the famous ancient school in Alexandria. He was chosen bishop of his home region, Cappadocia. When Christians were being persecuted there, he was arrested and proclaimed his faith in Jesus, even under threat of punishment. Though he was not killed, he spent several years imprisoned and in chains.

When he was released from prison, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When he was there, the people of Jerusalem were moved to adopt him as their own bishop, a role he assumed in the year 212. There he developed a valuable and extensive library of theological works, which was helpful to the community and to other ancient theologians who contributed to the Church’s thinking.

During a second, later persecution, he was again arrested. This time, when he professed his faith, he was condemned to die. He was thrown to the lions, but they could not be encouraged to attack him. Instead, he was thrown back into prison, where he died in the year 251. The Church recognizes him as a martyr.

Despite his vast education and the important offices he held in the Church, Alexander was a gentle and mild man, and he was known for the sweetness of his preaching. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and his image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Alexander of Jerusalem, you were the martyr who wouldn’t be touched by lions, pray for us!