(from 18 March) was the first Bishop of Cappadocia and was
afterwards associated as coadjutor with the Bishop of Jerusalem,
Saint Narcissus, who was then 116 years old. Alexander had been
imprisoned for his faith in the time of Roman Emperor Alexander
Severus and on being released came to Jerusalem, where he was
compelled by the aged bishop to remain, and assist him in the
government of that see. This arrangement, however, was entered
into with the consent of all the bishops of Palestine (Syria
Palaestina). It was Alexander who permitted Origen, although
only a layman, to speak in the churches. For this concession he
was taken to task, but he defended himself by examples of other
permissions of the same kind given even to Origen himself
elsewhere, although then quite young. Alban Butler says that
they had studied together in the great Christian school of
Alexandria. Alexander ordained him a priest. Alexander is
praised for the library he built at Jerusalem. Finally, in spite
of his years, he, with several oth