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c. 325 – 750 AD
Athanasius
c. 296 – 373 AD
Alexandria, Egypt
Overview
The "Hero of Nicaea." Spent his entire life fighting Arianism (the belief Jesus was created). Exiled five times.
Did You Know?
Wrote The Life of Antony, which popularized monasticism in Europe.
Major Writings
Against the Gentiles (Contra Gentes)
Part 1 of On the Incarnation. Athanasius wrote them as a double-feature. Against the Gentiles tears down paganism; On the Incarnation builds up Christ.
Read OnlineLetters to Serapion
While he fought Arius about Jesus, he fought the 'Pneumatomachians' (Spirit-Fighters) in these letters. This is the definitive ancient defense of the Holy Spirit as God.
Read OnlineHistorical Context
The Golden Age: Greek (Eastern) Fathers
The architects of Orthodoxy who defined the Trinity and Christology in the East.
11 Church Fathers in this era
View All Fathers
Part of The Golden Age: Greek (Eastern) Fathers