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May 2nd: Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Gospel text
Mt 10,22-25a
Mt 10,22-25a
Jesus said to his disciples, «Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next».
Gospel's Commentary
Today we celebrate St. Athanasius (Alexandria, Egypt), one of the most important Fathers of the Church. While still very young, he participated in the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), the first of the ecumenical councils. From this council emerged the “Creed” that we recite at Mass on feast days. At that time, the doctrine of the Alexandrian priest Arius had spread, claiming that Christ was not truly God, but an intermediate being between God and man. St. Athanasius defended orthodoxy against Arianism through writings and a fervent theological defense. Ultimately, the Council of Nicaea declared that the Son is “God from God,” fully divine.
—Athanasius —bishop of Alexandria from 328— had to flee his city five times; suffering for the faith, he spent up to seventeen years in exile, yet never ceased spreading and defending it.