Athanasius

Athanasius of Alexandria was an early Christian bishop, theologian, and writer who lived in the 4th century AD. He is most known for his role in the theological disputes of the 4th century and his defense of the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ against the teachings of Arianism. Born in Alexandria, Egypt around the year 296 AD, Athanasius became a deacon in the church there and was eventually ordained as a priest. In 328 AD, he was elected as bishop of Alexandria, a position he held for the rest of his life.

During his time as bishop, Athanasius was a vocal opponent of the teachings of Arius, a presbyter in Alexandria who taught that Jesus was a created being, distinct from God the Father. Athanasius argued that Jesus was fully God and co-eternal with the Father, a doctrine that became known as the Nicene Creed. In addition to his theological writings, Athanasius is also remembered for his role in the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he was one of the most vocal supporters of the Nicene Creed and helped to have it adopted as a statement of Christian belief. Athanasius' writings, including "On the Incarnation of the Word" and "Against the Arians," are considered important contributions to early Christian theology and are still widely read and studied today.