Saint Athanasius the Apostolic

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses the life of Saint Athanasius, explaining that this young man shone from his youth in knowledge and spirituality until he became one of the greatest Fathers of the Church.

His Writings and Theological Works
He wrote two of the greatest books in theology: “The Incarnation of the Word” (The Incarnation of the Logos) and a letter addressed to the pagans, and the book on the Incarnation was translated into all the languages of the world.

His Role at the Council of Nicaea and Fighting Arianism
He had a prominent role at the Ecumenical Council in the year 325, where he was one of the champions of the council while a young man perhaps in his mid-twenties, and he led the defense against the Arian heresy and replied to the misled.

His Patriarchate and His Youth
He was chosen patriarch of the Antiochene/Patriarchal see around the year 328 when he was in his late twenties or about thirty, thus becoming the youngest patriarch but the greatest of them, and he spent about 45 years defending the faith.

World Recognition and His Legacy
Athanasius became known worldwide, and it was mentioned that at the commemoration of his repose in 1973 a document was signed between the two churches in which Pope Paul VI stated that theology should be built on the theology of Athanasius and Cyril; this highlights his greatness and his trans-church impact.

Spiritual and Educational Conclusion
The main message of the lecture is that Athanasius is a model of an outstanding young believer: profound theological knowledge combined with a serious spiritual life, practical holiness and steadfast defense of the truths of faith, so he stood “against the world” meaning firmness in truth even if accompanied by persecution or universal opposition.

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