Saint Peter of Alexandria
Saint Peter of Alexandria (born c. 260 AD in Alexandria, Egypt; died November 26, 311 AD in Alexandria, Egypt) was Bishop of Alexandria from c. 300 to 311 AD and is venerated as the last martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution — the final bishop executed in the great persecution that began in 303 AD and ended with the Edict of Milan (313 AD). He is commemorated as a "teacher, bishop, and martyr" and is sometimes called the "Seal of the Martyrs." His feast day is November 26.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Peter of Alexandria
| Saint Peter of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 26 |
| Profession | Bishop of Alexandria (c. 300–311 AD); martyr; "Seal of the Martyrs"; theologian; canonical writer |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria; early Church; Alexandrian Patriarchate; persecuted Church under Diocletian and Maximinus Daia |
| Patronage | Alexandria; those persecuted for the faith; bishops who resist heresy; those who face apostasy under pressure |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; sword (beheading); the torn veil or curtain (the Arius vision legend); Alexandria setting; the Catechetical School of Alexandria |
| Birthplace | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Death Place | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded in Alexandria on November 26, 311 AD, at the order of the governor Maximinus Daia (co-emperor under the Tetrarchy), who continued the Diocletianic Persecution after the Eastern Empire; he was the last major episcopal martyr of the persecution; tradition says he was decapitated privately (secretly, to prevent Christian demonstration) but crowds came anyway and were moved by the sight |
| Primary Shrine | Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Mark, Cairo — the principal shrine of the Alexandrian Christian tradition; a chapel in his honor at the cathedral; venerated in all Coptic churches; feast kept November 29 Coptic calendar |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); November 26; Feast in Coptic Orthodox Church (November 29 Coptic calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar |
Biography
Peter of Alexandria became Bishop of Alexandria c. 300 AD and governed the Alexandrian church during the most severe phase of the Diocletianic Persecution (303–311 AD). He governed partly in hiding, producing canonical epistles that established a graduated penitential system for those who had apostatized under pressure.
During his episcopate he condemned the priest Arius — who had sided with the schismatic bishop Meletius — and excommunicated him. This early condemnation of Arius predated the Council of Nicaea by over a decade.
He was arrested and beheaded in Alexandria on November 26, 311 AD, at the order of the co-emperor Maximinus Daia — the last major episcopal martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution, earning him the title "Seal of the Martyrs."
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Alexandria, Egypt
Death location: Alexandria, Egypt
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Peter of Alexandria - November 26th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Feast day
November 26
Veneration
Saint Peter of Alexandria is venerated as the "Seal of the Martyrs" — the last bishop martyred in the Diocletianic Persecution. He was the first bishop to formally condemn Arius. He is deeply venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church. His feast is November 26.
Prayers
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