In today’s gospel, Jesus is asked: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24). I am sure that if among Jesus’ disciples there were folks with marketing and advertising backgrounds, they would have encouraged Jesus to mount an effective communications campaign to clearly proclaim his role as the long-awaited Messiah. Then 300 years later there wouldn’t be such confusion that would split the Roman Empire into warring factions.
Today is the Feast of St. Athanasius, a Christian leader from Alexandria Egypt who is remembered as the primary defender of the faith against the teachings of Deacon Arius, also of Alexandria. This is all happening in the early 4th century some 300 years after the death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is also in the age when the Christian faith was no longer “illegal” under Roman rule – thanks to Emperor Constantine. Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire was still some 50 years away, but the Church was beginning to flourish with its new found freedom from oppression and the threat of the next persecution.
Still, some 300 years after Jesus, there are some in the Church who are still raising issues about Jesus. Arius (and his teaching, Arianism) held that Jesus was divine, but was subordinate to God the Father – that there was time when the 2nd person of the Trinity “was not.” Divine? Yes, but created, not eternal. Arius has his own arguments from Scripture and he had supporters – and not just theologians. It became a topic that divided the empire and the emperor’s court. Sides were taken, armies were formed, battles fought and people died. To be sure it was mixed in with political intrigue, but it was a prominent part of the mix. It especially made inroads in the Balkans and areas north of the Black Sea. Remember the Goths and Visigoths from history classes in school? They are often thought of as barbarians and pagans. Barbarians maybe, but by-in-large, they were Arian Christians who sacked Rome in 410.
Where is Athanasius in all this? He became the chief defender of orthodox Christianity that is confessed today as regards the relationship of Father-Son-Spirit. He was a leading voice at the Council of Nicea (325; convened by Emperor Constantine) that condemned Arianism and held to the Athanasius proposed view. But the Council’s edict did not end the conflict which continued to embroil the empire theologically and politically. It started a period of struggle for Athanasius as he confronted Emperors Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens. He became known as Athanasius Contra Mundum (Athanasius Against the World). It also got him exiled five times. From 336 until his death in 366, most of Athanasius’ time was spent in exile as the Arian influence continued throughout the 4th century.
It gives new insight into the opening verse from the first reading: “Those who had been scattered by the persecution” (Acts 11:19)
Athanasius’ work, De Incarnatione (On the Incarnation) is considered the first and most influential defense of orthodox Christianity. Athanasius also wrote a credal statement that was proclaimed on Holy Trinity Sunday in the older liturgies – a copy of which is provided below:
Image credit: icon of Coptic Church of Cairo, Public Domain – Catholic News Agency
The Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Essence of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Essence of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood by God. One altogether; not by confusion of Essence; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved. Amen