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Sunday, November 25, 2012

[November 25] St. Peter, pope of Alexandria

Predecessor: Theonas
Reign: 300 – 311
Brief: Given to the church at a young age, Peter quickly rose through the ranks of holy orders until he became a priest. Theonas, the patriarch, suggested Peter as his successor while he lay dying in 300. The church complied and Peter became the pope of Alexandria. Emperor Diocletian was in the midst of his purge of Christians when Peter became pope. He argued vehemently with Bishop Meletius of Lycopolis over whether Christians who had denied their faith to avoid death should be rebaptised. Meletius was a forerunner of Arianism, which ruled as rival Christian sect into the 800s. Peter was captured again in 311 and ordered executed by Diocletian. A group of loyalists created a barrier to the guards but Peter told the guards how to smuggle him out so as not to injure the crowd. Then the soldiers drew lots, with the loser executing Peter and receiving the reward from the other soldiers. His martyrdom was later revered by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic churches.
Date of Death: 25 November 311
Successor: Achillas

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
  • Malcolm II, king of Scots (1034)
  • Lucius III, pope of Rome (1185)
  • Koreyasu, shogun of Japan (1326)
  • Philip II, prince of Achaea (1374)
  • Alfonso XII, king of Spain (1885)

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