Saint Peter of Alexandria

Life story

Peter became bishop of Alexandria around 300. According to Philip of Side, he had once headed the famous catechetical school in Alexandria. The sources do not record his birth year or his birthplace.

When Diocletian's persecution began in 303 he went into hiding and governed the church largely by letter. While he was away, Meletius, bishop of Lycopolis, took over the patriarch's duties in Alexandria, consecrated bishops for sees that were not vacant, and replaced Peter's appointees with his own. The sources tell the dispute in different ways. In one account the issue was how to treat those who had lapsed under persecution, with Meletius demanding harsher terms. Peter excommunicated Meletius.

Fourteen of Peter's canons survive, issued in the third year of the persecution and dealing mainly with the lapsed. The Council of Trullo later ratified them, so they became part of Eastern canon law. One tradition says he excommunicated Arius, possibly the Arius of the later controversy, but scholars are not certain it was the same man.

He was arrested and beheaded in Alexandria in November 311, during the persecution; Eusebius records that his martyrdom was sudden and not preceded by imprisonment. The Acts of his martyrdom come from a later time and contain legendary details, so they have no historical value. His feast is 25 November, and 29 Hathor in the Coptic calendar.

Works and witness

• Bishop of Alexandria from about 300
• Went into hiding during Diocletian's persecution and governed by letter
• Issued fourteen canons on the lapsed, later ratified at Trullo
• Dispute with Meletius of Lycopolis
• Beheaded in November 311

Saints from the same country

Saint Anthony of Egypt, Saint Athanasius, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Saint Catherine of Alexandria

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), St. Peter of Alexandria (New Advent, newadvent.org/cathen/11771a.htm)
• Wikipedia, Peter I of Alexandria (dates, Coptic feast and Meletius account; first 100,000 characters read)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.