A lecture on Saint Athanasius delivered by Professor Kanninger and translated by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III

Saint Athanasius the Apostolic is one of the greatest Fathers of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He was known for his strong defense of the true Christian faith against heresies and false teachings. He was distinguished by a deep spiritual life, courage in defending the truth, and steadfast commitment to the teaching of the Church.

1. The Early Life of Saint Athanasius

Saint Athanasius was born in the city of Alexandria and grew up in a Christian environment that helped him love God and remain faithful to the faith. From a young age, he was interested in spiritual and biblical learning, and his character was shaped through the life of the Church and the teachings of the Fathers.

2. His Service with Pope Alexander

Saint Athanasius was closely associated with Pope Alexander, the Patriarch of Alexandria, and served with him in the Church. From his youth, he demonstrated himself to be a strong defender of the faith and participated in important ecclesiastical events that preceded the Council of Nicaea.

3. Defending the Orthodox Faith

Saint Athanasius became famous for defending the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and rejecting the teaching of Arius, who denied the fullness of Christ’s divinity. Saint Athanasius firmly taught that Christ is the true Son of God and that He is one with the Father in essence.

4. Saint Athanasius and the Council of Nicaea

Saint Athanasius played an important role in the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he defended the apostolic faith against Arian teaching. His defense contributed to establishing the doctrinal expression that affirms the divinity of Christ and His oneness with the Father in essence.

5. Pope Athanasius the Apostolic

Athanasius became the Patriarch of Alexandria and continued defending the faith despite the difficulties and persecutions he faced. He carried the responsibility of the Church faithfully and did not allow pressure to make him compromise the truth that he had received from the Church.

6. Exile and Persecution

Saint Athanasius was exiled several times because of his adherence to the Orthodox faith. Nevertheless, he did not consider exile a reason to retreat. Instead, he continued teaching, writing, and defending the doctrine, becoming an example of steadfastness and courage in faith.

7. His Writings and Teaching

Saint Athanasius left an important collection of theological and spiritual writings. Among the most famous is “On the Incarnation,” in which he addressed the reality of the incarnation of the Son of God and the importance of the incarnation for human salvation. He also sought to strengthen believers in the true faith and respond to teachings contrary to the Church.

8. His Relationship with Saint Anthony

Saint Athanasius was closely associated with Saint Anthony the Great, and he wrote his biography, introducing many people to the life of monasticism and the virtues of Saint Anthony. This biography became an important source that helped spread knowledge of monastic life beyond Egypt.

9. The Spiritual Lesson from His Life

The life of Saint Athanasius teaches us that faith requires steadfastness and courage, and that the Christian is called to hold firmly to the truth without fear. We also learn that spiritual knowledge is not merely information, but should be connected with prayer, holiness, and faithfulness to the teaching of the Church.

10. The Legacy of Saint Athanasius

Saint Athanasius remained a prominent figure in the history of the Church, and his defense of the faith became an important part of the Orthodox tradition. He is therefore remembered as one of the Fathers who contributed to protecting the Christian faith and faithfully passing it on to succeeding generations.