Athanasius led a tumultuous but dedicated life of service to the
Church. He was the great champion of the faith against the widespread
heresy of Arianism. The vigor of his writings earned him the title of
doctor of the Church.
Born
of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, and given a classical
education, Athanasius entered the priesthood, became secretary to
Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, and eventually was named bishop
himself. His predecessor, Alexander, had been an outspoken critic of a
new movement growing in the East—Arianism.
When Athanasius
assumed his role as bishop of Alexandria, he continued the fight
against Arianism. At first it seemed that the battle would be easily
won and that Arianism would be condemned. Such, however, did not prove
to be the case. The Council of Tyre was called and for several reasons
that are still unclear, the Emperor Constantine exiled Athanasius to
northern Gaul. This was to be the first in a series of travels and
exiles reminiscent of the life of St. Paul.
After Constantine
died, his son restored Athanasius as bishop. This lasted only a year,
however, for he was deposed once again by a coalition of Arian bishops.
Athanasius took his case to Rome, and Pope Julius I called a synod to
review the case and other related matters.
Five times Athanasius
was exiled for his defense of the doctrine of Christ’s divinity. During
one period of his life, he enjoyed 10 years of relative peace—reading,
writing and promoting the Christian life along the lines of the
monastic ideal to which he was greatly devoted. His dogmatic and
historical writings are almost all polemic, directed against every
aspect of Arianism.
Among his ascetical writings, his Life of St. Anthony
achieved astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the
establishment of monastic life throughout the Western Christian world.
Comment:
Athanasius
suffered many trials while he was bishop of Alexandria. He was given
the grace to remain strong against what probably seemed at times to be
insurmountable opposition. Athanasius lived his office as bishop
completely. He defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the
cost to himself. In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to
remain true to our faith, no matter what.
Quote:The
hardships Athanasius suffered in exile, hiding, fleeing from place to
place remind us of what Paul said of his own life: “![Time [O]](/CommunityServer/emoticons/emotion-31.gif)
n frequent
journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my
own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the
wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and
hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst,
through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from
these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all
the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:26—28).
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Grace:
It becomes you to be mindful of us, as you stand near him who granted
you all graces, for you are the Mother of God and our Queen. Help us
for the sake of the King, the Lord God and Master who was born of you.
For this reason, you are called full of grace. Remember us, most holy
Virgin, and bestow on us gifts from the riches of your graces, Virgin
full of graces.
St Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor