Athanasius, << ath uh NAY shuhs, >> Saint (295?-373), was the leading Christian churchman of his time. He gained importance for his many writings that defended orthodox Christianity against attacks by the Arians. The Arians were a religious sect who believed that only God the Father was completely divine. Athanasius also introduced Eastern Christian religious community life called monasticism to Western Christianity.
Athanasius was probably born in Alexandria. He was ordained a deacon about 318 by Bishop Alexander of Alexandria. In 325, Athanasius attended the Council of Nicaea, which helped establish the doctrines of orthodox Christianity. In 328, Alexander died and Athanasius succeeded him as bishop. Athanasius strongly defended the decrees of the council against Arianism. His defense of Nicaea cost him five different periods of exile. During one such period, he took refuge in the Egyptian desert. There, he wrote Life of Anthony (about 357), a biography of Saint Anthony of Thebes, the founder of Christian monasticism. This book influenced the establishment of monastic orders in the Western Church. He died on May 2, 373. Athanasius’s feast day is May 2.
