Alexander of Alexandria

About Alexander of Alexandria

Alexander served as Patriarch of Alexandria from 313-328 AD and was the primary opponent of Arianism at the Council of Nicaea. When Arius, a priest under Alexander's jurisdiction, began teaching that Christ was a created being subordinate to the Father, Alexander recognized this as heresy undermining Christian faith. He convened a synod in Alexandria around 320 that condemned Arius's teaching, but Arius gained supporters, especially among Eastern bishops. The controversy threatened to split the Church. Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 to resolve the dispute. Alexander, accompanied by his young deacon Athanasius, played a crucial role in defending Christ's full divinity and establishing the Nicene Creed, which declares Christ "of one substance with the Father." Alexander's theological clarity and pastoral leadership helped preserve orthodox Christianity. He died in 328, shortly after Nicaea, and Athanasius succeeded him, continuing the defense of Nicene orthodoxy.