Today is the feast day of Saint Athanasius, known throughout church history as the “Father of Orthodoxy.” This title is fitting, yet he is not the first of the Early Church Fathers to defend the orthodox Christian faith. He is given this honor because of his fervent defense of the biblical understanding of the nature of Christ against the heresy of Arianism. This defense culminated at the council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the subsequent creed that has come to be known as the Nicene Creed. Christians throughout the world confess their faith each Lord’s Day in the words of the Creed. A couple of centuries later the doctrine of the Nicene Creed was expanded into a creed that bears Athanasius’ name, but not his pen. The truths of the Athanasian Creed distill the doctrine that Athanasius so firmly defended.
There is a slight debate as to whether Athanasius was born into a Christian or pagan family. He was born at the tail end of the third century (295-299 AD), and Christianity was not yet a legalized religion. For this reason, it is not unlikely for him to come from an unbelieving family. What we do know, however, is that Athanasius professes Christian faith at an early age, and seeks to live a religious life. He was educated under the tutelage of Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria. This became his ticket to attend the first great council of the church in Nicaea, and he accompanied his bishop/tutor as a deacon and scribe in 325 AD. Three short years later, Alexander dies, and young Athanasius is appointed bishop of Alexandria at the age of 30. His rocky tenure as bishop would span five exiles at the hands of the emperor. Athanasius died on May 2 373.
Athanasius is best remembered as a champion for Trinitarian orthodoxy over and against the predominant heresy of the day known as Arianism, which taught that Jesus was not God incarnate, but the highest creature, the “first born of all creation.” This heresy was proposed by a priest and theologian of Alexandria named Arias. Arias himself was not necessarily a “bad actor” but was someone who desired to know the truth. However genuine, this quest was misinformed and misguided. For one to deny the deity of Jesus is to deny the truth and endanger the salvation of countless souls.
As aforementioned , the heresy of Arianism was defeated at the council of Nicaea in 325. AD. This was captured well in the words of the Creed that Jesus is “God from God, light from light, true God, from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the father.” On this truth, rests the salvation of us all. It is for this reason that we confess our faith in these words each Sunday. Athanasius understood this full well and was willing to withstand the persecution of exile rather than deny the gospel. As the words of the creed that bears his name professes “this is the catholic faith, which except a man believe truly, and firmly, he cannot be saved.”
May we, like Athanasius, hold fast to the truth no matter the cost.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Almighty God, you gave your servant St. Athanasius special gifts of grace tounderstand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (taken from the Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Bible Reading
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Photo Credit Unsplash.com
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