A companion and assistant to the Apostle Peter, who calls him his son (I Pet. 5:13). When he was in Rome, at the request of the faithful, he wrote the Holy Gospel, which the Apostle Peter confirmed as true. The Apostle Peter appointed him bishop and sent him to Egypt to preach. Egypt was full of paganism, idolatry, sorcery… But he managed to sow the seeds of Christ’s teaching. In Alexandria, he founded the Church of God and appointed bishops, priests, and deacons for it. In Alexandria, the pagans seized him and dragged him through the streets, shouting: “Let’s drive the ox into the stable.” In prison, an angel first appeared to him, and then the Lord Himself. The next day, when they dragged him through the streets again, he gave up his soul to the Lord. Many miracles occurred over his relics.

Saint Anian, second bishop of Alexandria.