Alexander the Slav

Holy Martyr Alexander the Slav was of Slavic origin, an eighteen-⁠year-⁠old soldier in the army of the Emperor Maximian. He refused to give honour to idols at the emperor's command and was handed over to the captain Tiberianus, either to advise him to renounce Christ or to torture and kill him. The advice being in vain, Tiberianus took him along through Macedonia to Constantinople, where he too had to go. In every place the young Alexander was cruelly tortured; but in every place Christians came out to meet him asking his blessing and encouraging him in his struggle. His mother, Pimenia, followed him.

Christians believe that during the journey the angel of God often appeared to him, easing his torments and encouraging him. At a place called Karasura the martyr worked a miracle by prayer: when thirst afflicted him and the soldiers who accompanied him, he caused a spring of cold water to flow. On the bank of the river Ergina, Tiberianus ordered the executioner to behead Alexander and throw his body into the water. According to Christian tradition, when the executioner raised his sword, he saw bright angels around and was frightened, and his arm weakened. Alexander asked him why his arm had weakened, and he said he saw some luminous youths around him. Longing for death and union with God, Alexander prayed that the angels would withdraw, so that the executioner would not be afraid. So the executioner did his work in the year 298. Pimenia drew her son's body from the river and buried it with honour. Many healings are mentioned at the holy martyr's grave. The Serbian Church commemorates him on 13 May by the old calendar (26 May by the new).