Holy Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica (+305–311)

The holy Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica was seized for confessing Christ in the reign of Maximian Galerius (305–311) and ordered to offer sacrifice to the idols. The saint boldly confessed the true God before the emperor and overturned the altar prepared for the idols. Then the godless ruler ordered the martyr to be beheaded. When the sentence had been carried out, the emperor and the executioner plainly saw an angel leading the blessed Alexander’s soul as it rose to heaven. The Emperor Maximian allowed the holy martyr’s body to be buried with honour in the city of Thessalonica.