Mar Athanasius of Alexandria – October 14 I Father of Orthodoxy, Defender of the Faith

St. Athanasius also called St. Athanasius of Alexandria, St. Athanasius the Great, St Athanasius the Confessor or Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, is recognised Christian theologian, ardent ascetic, Church Father and ecclesiastical statesman, the chief defender of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism in the 4^th century. He is venerated as a Christian saint, labelled as the ‘Father of Orthodoxy’, for his absolute dedication to the doctrine of Christ’s divinity, His life was turbulent and tumultuous, yet a dedicated life, with intermittent episcopacy that spanned 45 years, of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Beyond defending the faith, Athanasius also helped identify the canon of Scripture.  St. Athanasius is the first person to identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that are in use today. 

Athanasius (‘Athanasios’ – Greek, ‘immortal’) was born in Alexandria, Egypt around AD. 295/296, in a wealthy Christian family. His parents took great care to have their son educated. In those days, Alexandria was a great centre of learning, thus he was able to become familiar with the various branches of learning. When he was boy, he once told his friends about Christian faith and the force of his words made them accept baptism. Priest Alexander, who later became the Metropolitan of Alexandria was surprised at this.  

Thereafter, Athanasius’ studies and training were perused directly under his supervision. Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria made Athanasius stay with him, taught him theology, logic, and physical sciences, and gave him training in spiritual life. He had studied Greek Mythology and Theology too.  Subsequently, Athanasius decided to have first-hand knowledge of the ascetic life of African forests and deserts. He went in search of St. Anthony with the blessings of his mentor Alexander of Alexandria. Around the age of 19, Athanasius spent a formative period in the Egyptian desert, as a disciple of St. Anthony, the Father of Monasticism in his monastic community. He met him and stayed with him for some time as his disciple and helper, spending time in prayers and meditation. This contact with the saint helped him produce the autobiographical work ‘Life of St. Anthony’, an ascetical writing, that received astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the establishment of monastic life throughout the Christian world. St Alexander mentions that St. Antony had given him a sheep skin and a blanket he had used. He then, Athanasius returned to Alexandria and was ordained a deacon in AD 319. Bishop Alexander made him a deacon in AD 319 and appointed him as his secretary. It was at this time that he produced the works ‘Against Pagans’ and ‘On the Incarnation’.  

Athanasius was the great soldier of faith who fought bravely for truth. St. Basil describes him as the Divine doctor given to the Church. St. Gregory of Nazianzus depicts him as the Pillar of the Church. His life was eventful, and he became famous as the fighter against Arius’ heresy. When he realised that Arius’ heresies will ruin the basis of Christian faith, he immediately started using his tongue and pen against Arius. He argued that the basis of Christian faith is that God saved man by incarnation, and that if Jesus Christ is not God, we had not been saved. In the end, Emperor Constantine convened the synod of Nicaea to resolve the issues including this.  

Deacon Athanasius attended the Synod of Nicaea as the Secretary of Bishop Alexander. The synod lasted for three months, and Athanasius’ voice reverberated in it. Athanasius stood firmly for the phrase ‘of the same substance with the Father to qualify the Son. He was not ready to accept even the phrase ‘of the similar substance with the Father’ suggested by moderates like Eusebius of Caesarea. The essential part of the Creed about faith in the Son of God was written in the Nicene Synod under the leadership of Athanasius. The careful wording of the Nicene Creed was a proper expression of biblical truth. The Nicene Creed was later confirmed at the Council of Constantinople in 381, a final triumph that Athanasius did not live to see. Thus in A.D. 325 the Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea put Arius on trial and denounced. 

In AD 328, Athanasius, at the age of around 33 years, succeeds Bishop Alexander in the See of Alexandria as Patriarch and ascends the throne. Then he visited the Churches under his jurisdiction and confirmed the believers in true faith. The problem created by Arius was a headache to him. They influenced the Emperor and brought forward many allegations against Athanasius. Athanasius was banished five times and brought back five times according to the disfavour or favour of the rulers who succeeded Emperor Constantine in the east and in the west. Athanasius had to spend seventeen years in banishment suffering persecution, which was used for reading, writing and meditation. However, he was not prepared to give up his faith or compromise it in any adversity. Despite all the trials and exiles, he succeeded in transferring true faith to the next generation. The believers, gradually, realized the way in which Arius and his followers abused Athanasius and they prevailed upon Emperor Valence to call Athanasius back (366 AD) and entrust him with the administration of Alexandrian Church.  

After returning to Alexandria in early 366, Athanasius spent his final years repairing all the damage done during the earlier years of violence, dissent, and exile. He resumed writing and preaching undisturbed, and characteristically re-emphasized the view of the Incarnation which had been defined at Nicaea. Thereafter, Athanasius enjoyed peace in life. The great Athanasius consecrated Peter II as Metropolitan to succeed him.  Athanasius died peacefully in his own bed, on May 2, AD 373, surrounded by his clergy and faithful supporters. Thus, ending his episcopate that lasted for forty-five years.  He consecrated 270 bishops.

St. Gregory Nazianzen, described St. Athanasius as “the true pillar of the Church,” whose ‘life and conduct were the rule of bishops, and his doctrine the rule of the orthodox faith.’ Athanasius lived in a troubled time in the history of the church, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his insight, courage, and steadfastness. With his knowledge of the Word, Athanasius was able to identify the wolves in sheep’s clothing that were infiltrating the church, and, through his commitment to biblical truth, he was able to stand firm and ward off their attacks. By the grace of God, Athanasius won. His important works include The Life of St. Antony, On the Incarnation, and Four Orations Against the Arians commentaries on Holy Scripture, books of a moral and didactic character. The manuscript of his book are preserved in a Library in Jerusalem. the Western Christian world. Saint John Chrysostom advised every Orthodox Christian to read this Life. He is Commemorated by our Church, on October 14 and in the Fifth Diptych (Thubden).  He is also remembered on May 2 and Jan 18 in other Churches