Alexander the Roman

Saint Alexander the Roman was one of the seven sons of the holy martyr Felicitas, put to death at Rome about the year 164. The others were named Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Vitalis and Martial. They are commemorated on 7 February.

Saint Felicitas was of a wealthy family in Rome. The priests of the idols accused her of insulting the gods by spreading the Christian faith. The saint gave away all her property and, with her sons, openly confessed her faith in Christ. All were given over to torments. Seeing the sufferings of her sons, Saint Felicitas prayed to God that they would stand firm in their struggle and enter the Kingdom of Heaven before her. All the sons died as martyrs before their mother's eyes. After them she too received the end of martyrdom. Saint Gregory the Dialogist pronounced a eulogy in honour of Saint Felicitas in the third of his homilies, delivered in the church that bore her name.