Today, we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (AD 298-373) who served as the 20th Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Egypt). His service as a Bishop spanned 45 years but was interrupted at least five times while he was sent into exile (for a total of 17 years) by order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Christian theologian, a Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism (the Church's belief that there is one God who was made known to us in three persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) against Arianism (the belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God, begotten of God, distinct from God the Father and therefore subordinate to the Father), and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century.
Athanasius was only 27 years old when he was invited to attend the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). The Roman Emperor Constantine had convened the Council in order to address the Arian position and Athanasius - who was a deacon at the time - and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria who was present at the famous Council. Three years later, he succeeded his mentor as Archbishop of Alexandria and continued his debates against the Arians as well as many Emperors such as Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens. As a result of these ongoing debates, he earned the name Athanasius contra mundum (Athanasius against the world).
Life was not easy for Athansius, yet he did his best to protect the vineyard of the Lord (cf Jn 15:1). Even today, we must always be ready to explain to others that we believe in one God who is made known to us in three ways: God the Father who created us, God the Son who came to earth and lived among us in order to teach us about the kingdom of heaven and God the Holy Spirit who is present with us today, constantly guiding our steps so that we can live as people of faith and look forward to the eternal reward of living in heaven.
Have a great day.
No comments:
Post a Comment