ST ALEXANDER OF CONSTANTINOPLE, THE PAGAN SAVANT AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY NAME
In the time of Emperor Constantine the pagans saw their numbers dwindle and their way of life disintegrate as more and more of their people became Christian. The pagan philosophers felt very threatened and were keenly embarrassed that many members of their flock had deserted the pagan temples for the new churches. They sought to put Christianity and paganism against each other in the public square, and show they could repudiate the teachings of Christ and win back their followers. They plotted to have an intellectual confrontation, a debate, with Alexander, the bishop of the Christians. But Alexander was reticent. The pagan philosophers were his intellectual superiors and could get the better of him in a debate. If they made him look foolish, they could tarnish Christianity as a religion for clods.
The pagan philosophers back-channeled and got the ear of Emperor Constantine, and they insisted with him on a having a public meeting with Alexander. Bishop Alexander may not have been a skilled syllogist, but he was eminently holy and he agreed to take part in the match of wits. The pagans put forward their best man, a fellow who was a gifted public speaker and brilliant logician who could trounce Alexander. On the day of the war of words, in front of a huge gathering, the pagan savant began an eloquent repudiation of Christianity. Bishop Alexander listened for quite a while, and then halted the diatribe against Christ when he addressed the pagan savant and said in saintly sincerity, "Jesus". The pagan savant was so rattled that he lost the his train of thought completely and could not speak another word.
This all happened in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) during the 300s when Emperor Constantine ruled the entire Roman Empire (324 - 337). Bishop Alexander is now St Alexander of Constantinople. Such a long time ago, and yet the Holy Name is as powerful now as it was then.
The pagan philosophers back-channeled and got the ear of Emperor Constantine, and they insisted with him on a having a public meeting with Alexander. Bishop Alexander may not have been a skilled syllogist, but he was eminently holy and he agreed to take part in the match of wits. The pagans put forward their best man, a fellow who was a gifted public speaker and brilliant logician who could trounce Alexander. On the day of the war of words, in front of a huge gathering, the pagan savant began an eloquent repudiation of Christianity. Bishop Alexander listened for quite a while, and then halted the diatribe against Christ when he addressed the pagan savant and said in saintly sincerity, "Jesus". The pagan savant was so rattled that he lost the his train of thought completely and could not speak another word.
This all happened in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) during the 300s when Emperor Constantine ruled the entire Roman Empire (324 - 337). Bishop Alexander is now St Alexander of Constantinople. Such a long time ago, and yet the Holy Name is as powerful now as it was then.
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