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 During the Decian persecution he was thrown into prison at Caesarea, and died there, 2 a.d. 251. The only writings of his which we know are those from which the extracts are made. 3
Euseb., Hist. Eccles., vi. 11. [Narcissus must have been born about a.d. 121. Might have known Polycarp.] ↩
Ibid., vi. 46. [Narcissus lived till a.d. 237, and died a martyr, aged 116.] ↩
[He was a pupil of Pantaenus, 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.] ↩
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