Athanasius: His Life and Contributions to Christianity
This paper examines the life and theological contributions of St. Athanasius, the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria, focusing on his pivotal role in early Christian history. Beginning with his defense of Christ's full divinity against the Arian heresy at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the paper traces his repeated exiles and unwavering orthodoxy, his influence on the final affirmation of the Nicene Creed at the Council of Constantinople in 381, and his lasting contribution to defining the biblical canon through his 39th Festal Letter. Together, these achievements establish Athanasius as one of the most consequential figures in the formation of Christian doctrine.
- Introduction: Athanasius and the Early Church: Background on Athanasius's birth, city, and status
- The Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicaea: Arius's heresy, Nicaea debate, homoousios formula
- Athanasius as Bishop of Alexandria and His Exiles: Athanasius becomes bishop, exiled five times
- The Triumph of the Nicene Creed: Council of Constantinople reaffirms Nicene doctrine
- The Biblical Canon and the Festal Letters: 39th Festal Letter defines New Testament canon
- Legacy and Death of Athanasius: Death in 373, burial, and enduring influence
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds its argument in specific historical events — the Council of Nicaea, Athanasius's five exiles, the Council of Constantinople — giving the narrative a clear chronological backbone that is easy to follow.
- It balances theological explanation (the meaning of homoousios, the Arian position) with political context (imperial succession, the conversion of Clovis), showing that doctrinal disputes had real-world consequences.
- The inclusion of the apolytikion and direct quotations from primary and secondary sources adds texture and demonstrates engagement with the material beyond paraphrase.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper uses a cause-and-effect structure to link Athanasius's personal theological stubbornness to broad historical outcomes. By showing that his refusal to compromise at Nicaea ultimately preserved what became mainstream Christian doctrine, the author demonstrates how individual agency can shape institutional history — a useful model for arguments in religious studies or history papers.
Structure breakdown
The essay opens with a brief biographical introduction, then moves chronologically through the Arian crisis, the Council of Nicaea, Athanasius's episcopal career and exiles, the posthumous triumph of the Nicene Creed, and finally his contributions to the biblical canon. It closes with a short account of his death and the preservation of his remains, giving the piece a satisfying biographical arc from birth to legacy.
Introduction: Athanasius and the Early Church
While still a young deacon at Nicaea, St. Athanasius, the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria, defended the divinity of Christ and was one of the authors of the Christian Creed that most Christians follow to this day. Besides the writings within the New Testament itself, Athanasius is quite possibly responsible for the preservation of the Christian faith as it was known and has been passed down through time to Christians of the present day.
Born around 298 AD, Athanasius grew up and lived in what was considered the epicenter of learning and wisdom in the entire Roman Empire: Alexandria, Egypt. He eventually became the Patriarch of Alexandria in the 4th century as bishop, and is revered as a saint by both the Roman Catholic Church — which counts him among the thirty-three Doctors of the Church — and the Eastern Orthodox Church, which considers him one of the four Doctors of the Church. He is also greatly admired by Protestants.
Works Cited
Williams, Rowan. Arius: Heresy and Tradition. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans.
Forbes & Washbourne. Standard Bearers of the Faith: Saint Athanasius. Paternoster Row, London, 1919.
Bible.
Behr, John. The Nicene Faith, Vol. 2 of Formation of Christian Theology. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2004.
"Homoousios." Basictheology.com. http://www.basictheology.com/definitions/Homoousios/ 15 Sept. 2006.
"Athanasius Apolytikion." St. Gregory Palamas Monastery.
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