Alexander, (St) Carbonarius

Alexander, (St.) Carbonarius (the charcoal-burner), a man of good family and wealth, left everything to embrace the lowly occupation of a charcoal-burner. The faithful in Comana having need, about A.D. 248, of a bishop, applied to St. Gregory of Neo- Caesarea, called Thaumaturgus; he came to the city and rejected all the candidates who were presented to him. Upon this, a person present jeeringly named "Alexander the charcoal-burner" as a man such as the bishop desired. He sent for, conversed with him, and was so charmed with his singular fitness for the sacred office that he appointed him to the bishopric. It is believed that he suffered martyrdom under the emperor Decius; and the modern martyrology marks his festival on Aug. 11. See Gregorius Nyssenus, Life of St. Greg. Thaum.; Baillet, Aug. 11.