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c. 325 – 750 AD
Athanasius
c. 296 – 373 AD
Alexandria, Egypt
Overview
The great defender of Nicaea. He spent much of his life resisting Arianism and endured repeated exiles for refusing to compromise on Christ's full divinity.
Did You Know?
His Life of Antony helped spread the fame of monasticism across the Christian world.
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.
ReadLetters 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 OnlineRead Athanasius’s Commentary
See what Athanasius wrote about Scripture. Open any book in the Bible reader and switch to the Commentary tab to find their insights.
Open Bible ReaderHistorical Context
The Golden Age: Greek (Eastern) Fathers
The great Eastern bishops, monks, and theologians who gave classical shape to Trinitarian and Christological orthodoxy.
10 Church Fathers in this era
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Part of The Golden Age: Greek (Eastern) Fathers