Saints & Church Fathers

St. Athanasius the Great (c. 296-373)

Patriarch of Alexandria, 'Champion of Orthodoxy.' Fought Arianism his entire life, suffering five exiles. Authored 'On the Incarnation': the foundational text on why God became man. His defense of Nicene theology ensured the survival of Trinitarian orthodoxy. Feast: January 18.

Sources

St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation CCEL
St. Gregory the Theologian, Oration 21 (funeral oration for Athanasius) NPNF

Connections

Arianism
First Ecumenical Council: Nicaea I (325)
On the Incarnation (St. Athanasius)
Patriarchate of Alexandria
Soteriology (Salvation)
St. Anthony the Great (c. 251-356)

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