Saint Peter of Alexandria, Bishop, Martyr.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday November 26, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
TO DIE TO ONE'S SELF. St. Peter governed the Church of Alexandria during the persecution of Diocletian. The fragments of his works which are still preserved show that this saintly pastor combined great learning with eminent virtue; and the sentence of excommunication that he was the first to fulminate against Meletius and Arius, and which, despite the united efforts of powerful partisans, he strenuously upheld, proves that he possessed as much sagacity as zeal and firmness. But his most assiduous care was employed in safeguarding his flock against the dangers arising out of persecution. He never ceased repeating to them, that, in order not to fear death, it was needful to begin by dying to one's self, renouncing one's own will, and detaching one's self from all things. The shortcomings of those who were in love with the world or their own will afforded proof indeed that he was in the right. St. Peter gave an example of such noble detachment by undergoing martyrdom with great intrepidity in the year 311.
MORAL REFLECTION.-"How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" says our Savior; because they are bound to earth by the strong ties of their riches.-(Mark x. 23.)
