Saint Peter of Alexandria

Peter became bishop of Alexandria in Egypt around 300, just before the fierce persecution of Diocletian broke out. He guided his people from hiding, wrote wise and merciful rules for welcoming back Christians who had given in under torture, and resisted those who divided the Church. He was among the first to see the danger in the teaching of the priest Arius. In 311, under Emperor Maximinus, he was arrested and beheaded, one of the last martyrs of that persecution in Alexandria.

According to Coptic tradition, Christ appeared to him as a child in a torn garment, saying that Arius had torn it, a scene often painted in Eastern icons. He is honored by Catholics, Orthodox and Copts alike.