Saints celebrated on the 2nd of May
SAINT ATHANASIUS, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Saint Athanasius was born at Alexandria in 295. He attended the Council of Nicaea, in 325, which had been called to rebut the heresy of Arius, which denied the divinity of Christ. Arius was also an Alexandrian. Athanasius became bishop of Alexandria in 328, and was tireless in combatting the heresy. He was exiled five times for his persistence. He wrote brilliantly, both in defence of doctrine, and on spiritual matters.
PRAYER:
Father,
you raised up Saint Athanasius
to be an outstanding defender
of the truth of Christ’s divinity.
By his teaching and protection
may we grow in your knowledge and love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
***
SAINT ATHANASIUS, BISHOP, CONFESSOR AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, was one of the strongest defenders of the Catholic faith. As a deacon at the Council of Nicaea he checked Arius’ false teachings and won such bitter hatred from the Arian’s that from then on they never stopped laying snares for him.
He suffered incredible hardships
He was banished and lived in exile at Treves in Gaul. He suffered incredible hardships, travelling all over the greater part of the Roman world, and was driven several times from his See, but was as often restored by Pope Julius and the Councils of Sardica and Jerusalem. During all of this time, he was constantly being attacked by the Arians.
Soon miracles made his life and death famous
God finally released him from his many sufferings; he died at Alexandria in the reign of Valens. Soon miracles made his life and death famous. In his lifetime he had written many works which devoutly and clearly explained the faith, and for forty-six years, in the most troubled times, he had governed the church of Alexandria with great holiness.
From: An Approved English Translation of the Breviarium Romanum, Burns & Oates, London, 1964
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