ATHANASIUS [1], (296-373):
champion of ORTHODOXY against ARIANISM. He was
Egyptian by birth but Greek by education. Athanasius took no official part in the
proceedings of the Council of Nicea but as secretary to BISHOP Alexander, his notes,
circulars, and encyclicals had an important effect on the outcome of the Council. Because
Arianism had a wide following in the Empire and the sympathies of Roman Emperors,
Athanasius was hounded through five exiles totalling seventeen years of flight and hiding.
His later years were spent peacefully at Alexandria. Almost single-handedly Athanasius
saved the CHRISTIAN CHURCH from the PAGAN intellectualism of Arianism. As a young man he
was impressed by Christian MARTYRS and eventually had a great influence on the MONASTIC
movement, especially in Egypt. Writings: Contra Gentes de Incarnation.
