St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Feast May 2

St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Archbishop, Greek Father of the Church, Doctor of the Church: ca. 297-373 A.D.

Birth, education and diaconate

St. Athanasius was born of Christian parents at Alexandria, Egypt. He was well educated in Scripture and in theology. Ordained a deacon, he became secretary to Bishop Alexander in Alexandria in ca. 318 A.D.

Leadership in the Church

St. Athanasius was present at the Council of Nicaea, which condemned Arianism and excommunicated Arius. He was elected bishop of Alexandria upon Bishop Alexander's death in 327 A.D. St. Athanasium combined his duties as bishop with his responsibility of taking care of the of the desert hermits, and the people of Ethiopia. It was in the exercise of this responsibility and in his visits to the desert hermits that he came to know St. Anthony of the Desert - who became St. Athanasius' ally in the fight versus Arianism. It was his knowledge on the life of St. Anthony that St. Athanasius wrote a biography of St. Anthony the Abbot in his later years.

The struggle against Arianism

Arianism continued to spread despite its ongoing condemnation since the Council of Nicaea. The Arians were also joined in Egypt by the Meletians - another dissident group. St. Athanasius provided a strong voice against all of them by his orthodox stand on the truth. The Arians persuaded Emperor Constantine to call a council. At first, Constantine sided with St. Athanasius. However, Constantine reverted and agreed with the condemnation of St. Athanasius - sending him into exile in northern Gaul (in what is now Belgian territory).

Second exile

When Constantine died in 337 A.D., St. Athanasius returned to his see. However, an Arian bishop by the name of Eusebius, persuaded Pope Julius to reopen the charges against St. Athanasius. Eusebius succeeded in deposing St. Athanasius at a synod in Antioch. When a Cappadocian by the name of Gregory was then installed as archbishop supplanting St. Athanasius, riots broke out in Alexandria. Because of all this conflict, St. Athanasius was unable to return to Alexandria and remained in Rome.

Third exile

While in Rome, St. Athanasius worked to have his case heard by the pope. Pope Julius I therefore called a synod which vindicated St. Athanasius - a verdict later endorsed by the Council of Sardica. This victory in 346 A.D., helped St. Athanasius to live in peace for four years in Alexandria. This triumph was short-lived because Constans was murdered in 350 A.D. Constans' successor, Constantine, now set himself against St. Athanasius. He condemned St. Athanasius in the council of Arles in 353 A.D., and then again in Milan in 355 A.D. Meanwhile, in Alexandria, soldiers forced their way into the church and killed some of the congregation. St. Athanasius escaped and spent the next six years moving about among the monks in the desert (who all protected him). St. Athanasius remained hidden there for many years. And it was here among the desert hermits where he completed most of his major writings.

Fourth exile

A new emperor, Julian the Apostate, revoked all of his predecessor's banishments of bishops, and St. Athanasius was able to return to Alexandria. But when Julian wanted to re-paganize the Empire, he had to get rid of St. Athanasius - who now had to experience a fourth exile.

Fifth exile

When Emperor Jovian succeeded Julian, he recalled St. Athanasius back from his fourth exile. Jovian's rule however did not last long, and the next emperor, Valens, again ordered all orthodox bishops exiled. This exile only lasted for four months. In September 365 A.D., St. Athanasius was again back in Alexandria. He stayed in Alexandria for the last seven years of his life until his death on May 2.

Greek Father of the Church and Doctor of the Church

St. Athanasius supported the ascetic movement in Egypt and was the first to introduce knowledge of monasticism to the West. He wrote treatises on Catholic doctrine which illuminated many truths on the Christian faith. Among his great works are: Contra gentes and De incarnatione verbi Dei (318-323 A.D.). The major treatises he produced in his exile were: Apologia to Constantius, Defense of Flight, Letter to the Monks, and History of the Arians. The Church recognizes St. Athanasius as both a Father of the Church and Doctor of the Church.

Sources of this blog post:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• A Year with the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• Saints for Our Time, by Ed Ransom
• The Doctors of the Church, volume one, by John F. Fink
• The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, by editor Bernard McGinn

Feasts and Memorials of Saints Celebrated in the Month of May

Joseph the Worker May 1

also on May 1 Amator or Amatre, bishop; Brioc or Brieuc, abbot; Sigismund of Burgundy; Marculf or Marcoul, abbot; Theodard of Narbonne, bishop; Peregrine Laziosi, Riccardo Pampuri

Athanasius: (died 373 A.D.): 45 years the bishop of Alexandria; champion of Nicea (325 A.D.); prolific polemicist against Arians who exiled him five times; one of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church; wrote On the Incarnation, the Discourses Against the Arians and the Life of Anthony; known as the "Doctor of the Incarnation". (May 2)

also on May 2: Exsuperius or Hesperus and Zoë, martyrs; Waldebert, abbot; Ultan, abbot; Wiborada, virgin and martyr; Mafalda or Matilda

Philip: (died 1st c.); from Bethsaida; among the first disciples called by Jesus (Jn 1:43-44); tradition holds he preached in Phrygia, dying on a cross at Hierapolis; two apocryphal works attributed to him; with James, venerated as the patron saint of Uruguay. (May 3)

James (died 62 A.D.): son of Alphaeus and cousin or "brother of the Lord"; surnamed "the less" or "the just" for his piety; leader of the Jerusalem church; an epistle is ascribed to him; believed to have been beaten or stoned to death; patron of the dying; with Philip, both saints mentioned in the Roman Canon. (May 3)

also on May 3: Alexander, Eventius and Theodulus, martyrs; Juvenal, bishop

on May 4: Cyriacus or Judas Quiricus, bishop; Pelagia of Tarsus, virgin and martyr; John Houghton, Robert Lawrence, Augustine Webster, Richard Reynolds, priests and martyrs; Venerius, bishop; Godehard or Gothard, bishop; Florian, martyr

on May 5: Hilary of Arles, bishop; Maurantius, abbot; Mauruntius, abbot; Avertinus; Angelo, martyr; Jutta, widow

on May 6: Evodius, bishop; Edbert, bishop; Petronax, abbot

on May 7: Domitian, bishop; Liuhard, bishop; Serenicus and Serenus; John of Beverly, bishop

on May 8: Victor Maurus, martyr; Acacius or Agathus, martyr; Gibrian; Desideratus, bishop; Boniface IV, pope; Benedict II, pope; Wiro, Plechlem and Oteger; Peter of Tarentaise, bishop

on May 9: Beatus; Pachomius, abbot; Gerontius, bishop

on May 10: Antoninus of Florence, bishop and confessor; Gordian and Epimachus, martyrs; Calepodius, martyr; Alphius, Cyrinus and Philadelphus, martyrs; Catald and Conleth, bishops; Solangia, virgin and martyr; John of Avila, priest

on May 11: Mamertus, bishop; Comgall, abbot; Asaph, bishop; Gengulf or Gengoul; Majolus or Mayeule, abbot; Ansfrid, bishop; Walter of L'Esterp, abbot; Francis di Girolamo; Ignatius of Laconi

Nereus and Achilleus: (died c. 304 A.D.); Roman soldiers until their conversion to Christianity; tradition holds they were either burned or beheaded. (May 12)

Pancras: (died c. 304); martyred probably in the persecution of Diocletian at the age of 14; perhaps from Syria; buried on the Via Aurelia. (May 12)

also on May 12: Epiphanus of Salamis, bishop; Modoaldus, bishop; Rictrudis, widow; Germanus of Constantinople, bishop; Dominic of Causeway

on May 13: Glyceris, virgin and martyr; Mucius or Mocius, martyr; Servatius or Servais, bishop; John the Silent; Erconwald, bishop; Euthymius the Illuminator, abbot; Peter Regalatus

Matthias (died 1st c.): chosen to replace Judas; qualified because he witnessed Jesus' ministry and resurrection; mentioned in the Roman Canon. (May 14)

also on May 14: Pontius, martyr; Carthage, Carthach or Mochuda, abbot; Erembert, bishop; Michael Garicoits; Mary Mazzarello, virgin

Isidore was born of poor parents in Madrid. Married to a poor woman, Maria de la Cabeza, who is also a saint, he worked as a hired ploughman. Because of his diligence, his employer allowed him to worship in church daily though Isidore took care that his devotion did not interfere with his work. He remained poor, but gave generously to his neighbors in need. He died on May 15, 1130 A.D. As patron of farmers, he is an example of a laborer who values both prayer and work. (May 15)

also on May 15: Torquatus and Companions, martyrs; Isidore of Chios; Hilary of Galeata, abbot; Dympna and Gerebernus, martyrs; Bertha and Rupert; Hallvard, martyr; Isaias of Rostov, bishop; Peter of Lampsacus and Companions, martyrs

on May 16: Ubaldus, bishop and confessor; Peregrine of Auxerre, bishop and martyr; Possidius, bishop; Germerius, bishop; Brendan, abbot; Domnolus, bishop; Carantoc or Carannog, abbot; Honoratus of Amiens, bishop; Simon Stock; John Nepomucen, martyr; Andrew Hubert Fournet

on May 17: Paschal Baylon, confessor; Madron or Madern; Bruno of Wurzburg, bishop

John I: Pope (523-526 A.D.); A native of Tuscany, he was a deacon from the time of his election to succeed Pope Hormisdas. He was the first pontiff to visit Constantinople and made one of the objectives of his reign the restoration of ecclesiastical peace with the Eastern Church after the divisive Acacian Schism 482-519 A.D.). (May 18)

also on May 18: Venantius, martyr; Theodotus, Thecusa and Companions, martyrs; Potamon, bishop and martyr; Eric of Sweden, martyr; Felix of Cantalice

on May 19: Peter Morrone or Peter Celestine V, hermit and pope; Prudentiana and Pudens, martyrs; Calocerus and Parthenius, martyrs; Dunstan, bishop; Ivo of Kermartin

Bernardine of Siena (died 1444 A.D.); O.F.M.; famous reformer and eloquent preacher who traveled throughout Italy; encouraged devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus; known for his use of the monogram, IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator); patron of advertisers and advertising; invoked against hoarseness. (May 20)

also on May 20: Thalelaeus, martyr; Basilla or Basilissa, virgin and martyr; Baudelius, martyr; Austregisilus or Outril, bishop; Ethelbert, martyr

Cristobal Magallanes was joined in martyrdom by twenty-one diocesan priests and three devout laymen, all members of the Cristeros movement, who rose up in rebellion against the Anti-Catholic Mexican government during the 1920s. Having erected a seminary at Totatiche, he secretly spread the Gospel and ministered to the people. Captured by authorities, he was heard to shout from his jail cell: "I am innocent and die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico." (May 21)

also on May 21: Godric; Andrew Bobola, martyr; Theophilus of Corte, Eugene de Mazenod

Rita of Cascia: Born in 1381 A.D. in the little town of Roccaporena, in the Province of Umbria, Italy, Saint Rita was married and raised two sons. After the violent murder of her husband, Saint Rita urged forgiveness in contrast to the customary vendetta of the day. She was, however, repeatedly denied entrance to the Augustinian nuns due to the constant threat of violent revenge by her husband's relatives. Through her personal intercession a promise of forgiveness and peace was secured and she began forty years in prayer, contemplation and service to the sick and the poor. Toward the end of her life she received a wound from a thorn from the crown of thorns. (May 22)

also on May 22: Aemilius and Castus, martyrs; Quiteria, virgin and martyr; Romanus; Julia, martyr; Aigulf or Ayoul, bishop; Humility, widow

on May 23: Desiderius or Didier, bishop and martyr; Guibert; Leonitus of Rostov, bishop and martyr; Ivo of Chartres, bishop; Euphrosyne of Polotsk, virgin; William of Rochester, martyr; John Baptist Rossi; Peter Fioretti

on May 24: Donatian and Rogatian, martyrs; Vincent of Lerins; David I, King of Scotland; Nicetas of Pereaslav, martyr

Bede: (died 735 A.D.); O.S.B. born in Northumbria; called "Venerable" while still living; authored the Ecclesiastical History of the English People and wrote Scriptural expositions, commentaries and homilies; known as the "Father of English History" (May 25)

Gregory VII, (died 1085 A.D.); from Tuscany; O.S.B.; championed reform of the clergy against simony, clerical marriage and lay investiture, leading to excommunication of Henry IV; expanded the authority of the Roman See. (May 25)

Mary Magdalene of Pazzi: (died 1607 A.D.); Carmelite mystic of Florence; instrumental in the reform of the Order. (May 25)

also on May 25: Dionysius of Milan, bishop; Zenobius, bishop; Leo or Lye, abbot; Aldhelm, bishop; Gennandius, bishop; Madeleine Sophie Barat, virgin

Philip Neri (died 1595 A.D.): founded the Congregation of Priests of the Oratory to promote holiness of priestly life and foster effective preaching; noted for his joyful and simple spirit. (May 26)

also on May 26: Quadratus, bishop; Priscus or Prix and Companions, martyrs; Lambert of Vence, bishop; Marian of Quito, virgin

Augustine of Canterbury: (died May 26, ca. 604 A.D.); O.S.B. monk of Mt. Coelius in Rome; sent with 40 other monks by Pope Gregory I to England; baptized Ethelbert, king of Kent; ordained bishop 597 A.D.; established the sees of Canterbury, London and Rochester; in 601 A.D., received the pallium as primate of England. (May 27)

also on May 27: Restituta of Sora, virgin and martyr; Julius and Companions, martyrs; Eutropius of Orange, bishop; Melangell or Monacella, virgin

on May 28: Senator, bishop; Justus of Urgel, bishop; Germanus or Germain, bishop; William of Gellone; Bernard of Menthon or Montjoux; Ignatius of Rostov, bishop

on May 29: Cyril of Caesarea, martyr; Maximinus, bishop; Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, martyrs; Theodosia, virgin and martyr; William, Stephen, Raymund and Companions, martyrs

on May 30: Isaac of Constantinople, abbot; Exsuperantius, bishop; Madelgisilus or Mauguille; Walstan; Ferdinand III, King of Castile; Joan of Arc, virgin; Eleutherius, pope; Luke Kirby, priest and martyr

Feast of the Visitation; Petronilla, virgin and martyr; Cantius, Cantianius and Cantianella, martyrs; Mechtildis of Edelstetten, virgin (May 31)