Hieromartyr Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

Life

Peter was a disciple and follower of Saint Theonas, Archbishop of Alexandria. For a time he was a teacher in the renowned philosophical school of Origen. He ascended to the archepiscopal throne in 299 and reposed as a martyr at the tomb of the holy Apostle Mark in 311. He governed the Church in a most difficult time, when violence was done to the faithful from without by unbelievers and from within by heretics. During his time 670 Christians suffered in Alexandria. Often entire families were led to execution and killed. At that time the impious Arius was troubling the faithful with his false teaching. Saint Peter excommunicated him from the Church and cursed him in this world and in the next. In prison the Lord Himself appeared to this great and wondrous saint.