Bishop and Patriarch, he is primarily known for his confrontation with Arius and the defense of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
Saint Alexander was the 19th Bishop of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, succeeding Achillas. He is a crucial figure in early Christian history due to his role in the Arian controversy. He excommunicated Arius and was a fervent defender of the Trinitarian doctrine during the First Council of Nicaea in 325, though he sent his deacon Athanasius as his primary representative. His steadfastness in the face of the Arian heresy cemented his legacy as a champion of orthodoxy and a pillar of Nicene faith.