“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

1 John 2:17

Athanasius the Great was said to be a small stooping man, with piercing eyes with a character of such power that his supporters were passionately loyal and his enemies both feared and hated him. He was the most dominant personality of the 4th Century both in Empire and throughout Christendom.

As Bishop Alexander lay dying in Alexandria in 328AD, he nominated the boy, whose character he discerned 15 years earlier as he led his friends in playful yet deeply earnest worship, as his successor. For over 40 years Athanasius would fulfil his role with valour and faithfulness.

Where Luther is identified with the doctrine of “Justification by Faith Alone”, Athansius will forever be identified as the man who saved the truth of “The Holy Trinity” within the Church. Rather than settling the Arian controversy, the Council of Nicea and its famous creed only served as the beginning of a prolonged period of strife.

Athansius’ ministry as bishop, however, was soon to be defined by empire and Arianism. The supporter’s of Arius on winning favour in the court of Constantine succeeded in bringing their leaders out of exile. This restarted the controversy which Nicea ought to have settled. Athanasius quickly became the major proponent of the Trinitarian position within Christendom. For over four decades his enemies sought to discredit him with slanders and slurs. Five times he was banished by the emperor to various locations in Europe and Africa. On the fifth occasion as an old man he hid in the tomb of his father for four months.

Throughout his adversity he refused to bend or bow. His arguments won the controversy. While he did not live to see the final ratification of Nicea he ended his days in peace. As he said to his flock on one occasion as he was forced to leave, “Be of good cheer, it is only a cloud, it will soon pass”.

He continues to be an example of one who stood unflinching for truth, even though the world was against him. Let us likewise be strong in the Lord.

Standing by a purpose true
Heeding God's command
Honor them, the faithful few
All hail to Daniel's band

Dare to be a Daniel
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm
Dare to make it known

Philip Bliss