Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius I of Alexandria (c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria. His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (328 – 373).
Conflict with Arius and Arianism, as well as with successive Roman emperors, shaped Athanasius' career. In 325, at age 27, Athanasius began his leading role against the Arians as a deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria during the First Council of Nicaea. Three years after that council, Athanasius succeeded his mentor as Patriarch of Alexandria.
During his reign as Patriarch, he faced repeated conflict with the Arians (including powerful and influential Arian churchmen led by Eusebius of Nicomedia), in addition to the Emperors Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate, and Valens, resulting in five exiles over a total period of 17 years. In addition to his anti-Arian polemical works, his other notable writings include On the Incarnation and his biography of St. Anthony the Great.
In the Martyrology
- May 2 Saint Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria of Egypt and doctor of the Church