St. Athanasius the Apostolic

On this day, of the year 89 A.M. (373 AD) the great Pope Anba Athanasius the apostolic, the twentieth Pope of Alexandria departed. He was born to pagan parents about the year 295-298 AD. It happened that when he was in school, he saw some Christian children acting out the Christian rituals, some as priests, some as deacons and one of them as a bishop. He asked their permission to participate with but they refused saying: “You are pagan, and you are not allowed mix with us.” He answered them: “I am from now on a Christian.” They rejoiced with him, made him a patriarch over them in the play, enthroned him on a high place, and offered him honor and respect. At that time, Pope Alexanderos passed by. When he saw them, he said to those who were with him about Athanasius: “This child would be in a great position one day.”

When Athanasius’ father died, his mother brought him to Pope Alexanderos, who taught them the principles of the Christian faith and baptized them. They gave their money to the poor and stayed with the Pope, who taught Athanasius the church subjects, and ordained him deacon and made him a personal secretary. The gifts of the Holy spirit increased in him. He was chosen Patriarch on the 8th. of Bashans, of the year 44 A.M. (May 5th., 328 A.D.), after the departure of Pope Alexanderos.

Pope Alexandros had recommended Athanasius, his deacon, for the Papacy, who lived with St Antonios, the father of the monks and followed his example in asceticism. He manifested his brilliance in exposing Arius in the universal council. When Arius said about Christ that he was “similar” in essence with the Father, St Athanasius said: “One in essence with the Father.” In this fashion he manifested his excellence, St Athanasius hid himself in the mountains, after the departure of Pope Alexanderos, for he believed of his unworthiness to this serious and important position. The people sought him until they found him, and brought him to the bishops, and was ordained Pope in 328 AD.

The historian Socrates testified about him saying: “Athanasius fluency in speech and outspokenness in the council of Nicea brought over Him all the hardships that he encountered in his life.” After he became a Pope, he ordained for Ethiopia its first Metropolitan whose name was Salama. The church of Ethiopia has followed the church of Alexandria since that time. The spiritual and religious State in Ethiopia established and settled since that time.

St. Athanasius was exiled away from his Chair five times, but through his steadfastness and his firm stand for justice, the world described him by the saying: “Athanasius against the world.”

He wrote several books about the Arians, on the Incarnation, and other subjects. Abba Cosma (the forty-fourth Patriarch) praised these publications by saying: “I ask anyone who would find the books of Athanasius to write them on paper, and for those who could not find paper, to write them on their clothes.”

Athanasius was the first Pope to wear the monastic tunic from the hand of St. Antonios. He made it the uniform for bishops and patriarchs. He was the one who ordained St. Antonios a priest, and then Archpriest.

He departed in peace after he had been on the Apostolic Throne for forty five years.

His prayers be with us and Glory be to Our God, forever. Amen.