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Portrait associated with Athanasius

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Athanasius · Author Profile

Athanasius I of Alexandria (c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). In this library, Athanasius is linked to 3 documents, including On the Incarnation of the Word, Four Discourses Against the Arians, and Life of St. Anthony.

Activity
AD 296 - May 2, AD 373
Documents in this library
3
Corpus date window
AD 318-357

History and Context

Athanasius I of Alexandria (c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (c. 8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Church Father, the chief proponent of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian Christian leader of the fourth century. Conflict with Arius and Arianism, as well as with successive Roman emperors, shaped Athanasius' career. In 325, at age 27, Athanasius began his leading role against the Arians as a deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria during the First Council of Nicaea. Athanasius is described in reference records as Catholic priest, hagiographer, theologian, writer, and 1 more. Recorded offices include Eastern Orthodox bishop, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Alexandria, and 1 more. Place associations in major reference datasets include Alexandria. The documents preserved here span AD 318-AD 357 and include On the Incarnation of the Word, Four Discourses Against the Arians, and Life of St. Anthony (3 total).

What We Know

  • Activity window in reference data: AD 296 - May 2, AD 373.
  • Approximate lifespan from biographical records: AD 296-AD 373.
  • Roles in major reference data: Catholic priest, hagiographer, theologian, writer, and deacon.
  • Ecclesial or civic offices recorded: Eastern Orthodox bishop, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Alexandria, and bishop.
  • Associated places: Alexandria.
  • Tradition or confessional marker: Nicene Christianity.
  • Languages linked to writing or transmission: Ancient Greek and Latin.
  • Notable works cited in reference data: Epistola Athanasius and Opera omnia of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (Padua edition, 1777).
  • Documents in this corpus: 3 (On the Incarnation of the Word, Four Discourses Against the Arians, and Life of St. Anthony).
  • Corpus date range for attributed texts: AD 318-AD 357.

Works in This Library

Legacy

In 325, at age 27, Athanasius began his leading role against the Arians as a deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria during the First Council of Nicaea. Roman Emperor Constantine the Great had convened the council in May–August 325 to address the Arian position that the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, is of a distinct substance from the Father. Athanasius's reception in theology and church history is closely tied to ongoing study of On the Incarnation of the Word, Four Discourses Against the Arians, and Life of St. Anthony.

Source Notes