Saint Dionysius of Alexandria

Also known as

  • Dionysius the Great

Memorial

Profile

He studied under Origen, and eventually became the head of the catechetical school of Alexandria, Egypt. Archbishop of Alexandria. In 250 during the persecutions of Decius, Dionysius tried to flee the city, but was caught and imprisoned. He was rescued by Christians and hid in the Libyan desert until 251. During the Novatian schism, Dionysius supported Pope Cornelius, and helped unify the East. Exiled during the persecution of Valerian in 257 to the desert of Mareotis; he returned to Alexandria when toleration was decreed by Gallienus in 260. Dionysius dealt leniently with the Christians who had lapsed during the persecutions. He wrote a noted commentary on Revelations. Greek Father of the Church.

Born

Died

  • 265 of natural causes

Canonized

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Dionysius of Alexandria“. CatholicSaints.Info. 26 October 2018. Web. 23 January 2019. <>