A presbyter near Thessalonica who turned many from idolatry by his preaching and was beheaded after enduring tortures under the emperor Maximian Galerius.
The Holy Martyr Alexander, Presbyter of Pydna
Alexander was a Christian presbyter in Pydna, a city in Macedonia not far from Thessalonica. The synaxarion remembers him as a preacher who drew many of the surrounding pagans away from idolatry and into the Christian faith.
He was martyred during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (who reigned 305-311). After enduring fierce tortures he was beheaded for refusing to renounce Christ.
By the account preserved in the synaxarion, Alexander served as a presbyter at Pydna and devoted himself to confronting the idolatry of his region, rebuking the error of the pagans and turning many of them to Christianity through his preaching.
When the persecution under Maximian Galerius reached him, his persecutors are said to have tried both tortures and inducements to break his confession, and failing in both, they put him to death by beheading.
By tradition Alexander received from God the gift of healing, and his relics are venerated as a source of healing for those who approach with faith. His skull is reported to be preserved at the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos.
Some hagiographers identify him with the Saint Alexander of Thessalonica commemorated on November 9; his principal commemoration is kept on March 13.