Beautiful Egypt 158 – «Athanasius, the Great» May 29, 201

   The previous article was about Pope Athanasius, the Apostolic, a descendant of the Pharaohs who was contemporary to St. Anthony, the father of all monks. In fact, St. Anthony’s teachings were his reference in the course of defending the Faith. Likewise, we tackled how St. Anthony left his cell to support his disciple in order that the people might become steadfast in the correct faith, and that he might declare the truth to those who deviated from it like Gregory of Cappadocia, the intruding bishop.

   We also tackled the significant role played by Pope Athanasius, the Apostolic, in the West when he was in his exile, as well as his writings which have become the most important references of Theology in the four corners of the earth, and his care for the unity of the Church and its steadfast faith. Hence, he protected the Church from fragmentation.

   St. Athanasius, the true Egyptian, was called “Samuel of the Church” and the “Great Pillar”.

   Abba Isidor lauded him, saying, “Athanasius was the sun and sole mouthpiece of the Church. He was her unique representative. Thus, he deserved to be the thirteenth faithful apostle.”

   Cosmas said, “If you ever find a book written by Athanasius, embroider your attire with it.”

   In one of his poems, Oxford called him, “The man with the angelic heart who covers himself with St. Paul’s blessed cloak.”

   Testimonies and praises of Athanasius did not spring from within the Church only. Historians, also, sang his praise. They wrote entire chapters about the great patriarch whose biography amazed whoever read it, not only as part of theological study, but of history as well.

   “How great Athanasius is! Nobody is half so great. He stood alone, defending the Council of Nicaea…” writes Henry Melvill Gwatken.

   According to Dean Stanley, “We look to Athanasius as we do a star in the sky. We cannot make out his actual size (worth). His contemporaries were quite amazed by his talents and wit.”

   Phillip Shaff asserts that, “Athanasius was the center around which the Church and Theology revolved in the Nicene era. Thus, he deserves the title “Great”, for he is great in mind and manners. His worth showed itself and glowed through the pain and persecution which he endured for years while resisting horrible mistakes and an emperor’s despotism.”

   Nyander writes, “Athanasius proved himself in the Council of Nicaea through his zeal and intelligence. He remained as strong and intelligent for fifty years, fighting heresy strongly and steadfastly. In the course of this, he faced many sorts of pain, resistance and persecution. He did not mind any threat, though both he and Egypt were colonized!”

   Dr. Bauer, though an atheist, maintains that, “the piety with which Athanasius was defending orthodoxy and the creed which were clashed about, made his name one of the most renowned and revered in the Church.”

   Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim al-Fayyumi says, “The third century A.D. witnessed the advent of a saint, a father of the Church. He was born in Alexandria. He was one of fiercest opponents of paganism and worst enemies of heresy. He is truly one of Orthodoxy’s fathers.”

   Richard Hooker asserts that, “St. Athanasius never gave himself any rest. He was never comfortable during his forty-six year papacy. He was exiled for his Church. However, God did not want him to stay away from his See: On May 15, 1973, his relics were officially brought back in an august celebration to be placed where they should be in a shrine at St. Mark’s Cathedral.”

   Dr. Durner, Professor of Theology at Göttingen, Germany, points out that Athanasius, “showed in his work his great consciousness of the Living Person, God the Son (the Logos) who incarnated to save us. His steadfast ideology reminds us of the second-century fathers. However, he stands out amongst them for his clarity and meticulousness. His consciousness is the basis of the renown of theological studies. Thus was the ultimate purpose of the fight that took place after finishing his first treatise and being ordained deacon. He was adept at spreading his principles.”

   Dean Friar, archbishop of Canterbury, says, “He was a diligent, far-sighted, and steadfast man. He is the greatest defender of Faith and hero of the true Creed. He is on top of the Church’s doctors. We cannot express how much we have been learning from him, as well as the strength and comfort we take from him at times of tribulation. He remained one of most faithful of men, despite the pains and challenges he had faced.”

   St. Gregory of Nazianzus wrote about the departure of St. Athanasius, saying, “In 373 A.D., Athanasius, the holy eye of the world, went to sleep. He is the unparalleled love, the voice raised for truth, the pillar of faith, the new apostle of Jesus Christ. He departed at a good old age, after dedicating his life to the Lord.” His body was taken to Constantinople in eighth century A.D. In the fifteenth century A.D., it was moved to Venice.”

   In May, 1973, reposed Pope Shenouda III went to Rome, presiding a clerical delegation to retrieve part of Pope Athanasius’ relics. This took place upon commemorating his departure, sixteen centuries ago then. Pope Paul VI gave Pope Shenouda III the relics of St. Athanasius on Sunday, May 6. The delegation returned on May 10. On May 14, delegations of all the Churches came over to participate in celebrating the retrieval of St. Athanasius’ relics. They were placed in a shrine underneath St. Mark’s Grand Cathedral, Abba Reweis, Abbassiya.

   In the celebration, Dr. Labib Mishriqi, head of the High Council of the Evangelical Church, gave the following speech:

   “When we salute this champion, we take pride in his being an icon of Christianity and a true Egyptian as well. He was, as we know, the defender of faith. This is how we have always remembered him. Likewise, we have always remembered the conflict between faith and heresy. We must always praise those who herald the truth: as they live both an earthly and an eternal life. He is one of the greatest role models. He lived honestly. He was so honest that he refused alternatives. He was honest, despite the emperors’ persecution.

   In like manner we laud his faith and honesty, we laud his efficiency. In fact, he was one of the most beautiful minds to live on earth. As we laud him, we laud knowledge, talent, logic, genuineness, and eloquence. He is a man of all seasons! He is renowned for his great knowledge and efficiency.

   Now that sixteen centuries have elapsed, he has become a heritage for humanity as well as Christianity. He returns to his fatherland as relics which we look to and remember Joseph’s bones which he wanted to have buried where his faith was.”

   Thus, we see how influential this great saint is. He is the descendant of the Pharaohs, an icon of struggle and steadfastness. He has impacted whoever knew or read him. Egypt’s son has become a legendary champion who history will continue talking about and telling stories… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center