St. Athanasius

This Doctor and Father of the Church was born around 296 in Alexandria, Egypt. Raised by devout Christians and mentored by Alexander the future bishop of his home city, Athanasius became a brilliant, virtuous student. In 315, Athanasius spent time in the desert with St. Anthony of Egypt and in 319, he became a deacon and began combating the Arian heresy which denied the Divinity of Christ. Athanasius assisted at the Council of Nicea, helping Alexander who was now his bishop. A few months later, in 326, Athanasius became bishop when Alexander died. Athanasius would be bishop for forty-six years; seventeen of these years were spent in exile because he refused to cave in to Arian sympathizers. He suffered much for his defense of the true Christian faith and wrote brilliant theological works. He was able to spend the last seven years of his life in Alexandria, where he died on May 2, 373. His feast is May 2.