Alexander of Cappadocia.

Translator’s Biographical Notice.

[a.d. 170–233–251.] Alexander was at first bishop of a church in Cappadocia, but on his visiting Jerusalem he was appointed to the bishopric of the church there, while the previous bishop Narcissus was alive, in consequence of a vision which was believed to be divine.1 Euseb., Hist. Eccles., vi. 11. [Narcissus must have been born about a.d. 121. Might have known Polycarp.] During the Decian persecution he was thrown into prison at Cæsarea, and died there,2 Ibid., vi. 46. [Narcissus lived till a.d. 237, and died a martyr, aged 116.]a.d. 251. The only writings of his which we know are those from which the extracts are made.3 [He was a pupil of Pantænus, continued under Clement, and defended Origen against the severity of Demetrius. Two dates which are conjectural are adjusted to these facts. I find it difficult to reconcile them with those implied by Eusebius.]