Athanasius the 20th Patriarch

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to learn the early history of the Coptic Church through the biography of the patriarchs.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK

5 Minutes

Please review the previous week's lesson.

A man had gone deep sea fishing when suddenly a storm overtook him
The boisterousness of the ocean frightened him, and he was panicking as he was overcome
To his horror, the boat capsized and he was thrown into the depths
Not long later, the coast guard rescued the man, who recovered
He shared that as he submerged in the water, he contemplated on the fish who were not afraid or bothered by the loud sounds or waves, but were calm since they were too deep to be bothered by what was happening on the surface
As the man on the surface of the ocean was terrified while the fish in the depths were at peace, so we too, when we have depth in our relationship with God and confidence in His truth, find peace in the gift of the Holy Spirit
In like manner, Athanasius found peace and confidence in Christ even though the entire world was against him

HOLY SCRIPTURE

10 Minutes

15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." 19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" 22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one" (John 10:15-30)
Memory Verse: "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" John 10:15

CONTENT - 25 Minutes

Introduction

Athanasius was the twentieth Pope of Alexandria from the year 328-373
His name means "the immortal one."

Early Years

Athanasius was born sometime around 295 and 299 (unknown) and grew up during the Diocletian persecution
- The mystery around his age led the Arians to accuse him of being ordained patriarch before the canonical age of thirty
Athanasius was a disciple of Abba Antony
- At some point during his childhood, Athanasius went to the desert and was a disciple of Abba Antony, and would wash his hands (a symbol of discipleship)
Athanasius had a relationship with Alexander of Alexandria (the 19th Pope of Alexandria)
- According to tradition, Alexander found Athanasius at the beach, during a festival commemorating the martyrdom of Pope Peter, playfully baptizing his non-Christian friends according to the Church rites of the time
- From that moment forward, Alexander discipled Athanasius, made him attend the theological school, and eventually ordained him as a deacon and his own personal secretary

Ordination to Patriarch in 328

After the departure of Alexander, Athanasius was nominated Patriarch of Alexandria in 328

Council of Tyre 335

The Arians and Melitians brought false claims against Athanasius including desecration of a Melitian altar and murder of a priest
The government succumbed to the pressure of Athanasius' foes and held a Council in Tyre which was presided by Eusebius of Caesarea, an enemy of Athanasius
Athanasius was able to locate the purported "victim" of the murder and presented him at the council, which immediately descended into chaos
Athanasius fled to Constantinople to appeal to Constantine but was exiled to Gaul when the Arians falsely alleged that Athanasius had frustrated trade in the Empire
- Likely Constantine understood these claims to be baseless but exiled Athanasius to protect him from his enemies while restoring the status quo in the Empire

First Exile in Gaul (335-337)

Athanasius spent his first exile in Treveri, located in Gaul, which is modern Germany
After the deaths of both Arius and Constantine, Athanasius was restored and allowed to return to Alexandria

Abba Antony Visits Alexandria

When the Arians tried to spread rumors that Antony was an Arian, the father of the monks traveled to Alexandria to condemn Arianism
Athanasius wrote that more people were baptized in that one visit than would be baptized in a single year

Second Exile in Rome (339-346)

Athanasius' enemies convened a council to decree that his restoration in 337 went against the edict at the Council of Tyre in 335
They sent an Arian, Gregory the Cappadocian, to take Athanasius' position as patriarch of Alexandria
Imperial forces invaded Alexandria to install Gregory by force
Athanasius responded by fleeing Alexandria to gain support from the Pope of Rome
The co-Emperor Constans used political pressure to force his brother the co-Emperor Constantius (both sons of Constantine) to restore Athanasius from his exile

Third Exile in Nitria (356-362)

Between the second and third exiles were ten years of peace, known as the Golden Decade
The Arians influenced the Emperor once more to install an Arian bishop in Alexandria
Imperial forces went to Alexandria and stormed the church while Athanasius and the congregation prayed the midnight worship (Psalm 135 LXX)
During the violence in the church, Athanasius was carried out by the priests and bishops and was sent in a boat to Nitria (the desert where the Egyptian monks lived)
Meanwhile, the Arians attempted to install George of Cappadocia as the patriarch in place of Athanasius

Miracle of Entering Alexandria by Boat

Athanasius left the desert and went to the Emperor demanding to either be restored or martyred
The Emperor placed Athanasius on a boat without water, food, or navigation (sailors) so that he would either die of thirst, starvation or drowning
God sent the angels to navigate the ship and steer Athanasius to Alexandria
The Alexandrians received their patriarch with great joy and removed George

Fourth Exile in Thebaid (362-364)

Julian the Apostate declared an Imperial edict to exile the Nicene Bishops
Athanasius fled by boat up the Nile river but was unable to evade the Imperial ship pursuing his
He ordered the navigator to turn around and face the ship
When the soldiers asked the location of Athanasius, the Patriarch replied "He is not far from you, but hurry quickly."
They did not recognize the Patriarch, but thanked him and continued in their pursuit
Athanasius resided in the Thebaid desert at the Pachomian monasteries until he learned that Emperor Julian died and was replaced by a Christian Emperor
He returned to Alexandria in 364

Fifth Exile in Country House (364-365)

When the Christian Emperor died, the new Emperors once more exiled Athanasius
Athanasius remained in a small house near the Nile River
Due to unrest throughout the Empire, the Co-Emperors decided to restore Athanasius back to Alexandria after only five months in order to bring stability to Egypt

Departure of Athanasius in 373

Athanasius lived the rest of his days in peace, rebuilding churches and corresponding with the next generation of bishops, including Basil of Caesarea
Athanasius selected Peter II as his successor
He departed in peace on Bashans 7, 89 AM (May 15, 373)

DISCUSSION - 10 Minutes

Defender of the Truth

We have seen from St Athanasius that he stood for the Truth, even if the whole world forced him to submit to a lie. The Truth had put him in suffering rather than comfort.

How often do we stand for the Truth, or at all costs defend it?
How can we have the confidence of St Athanasius, to dare be against the world, even if society, friends, and culture is against us?

When Athanasius was told that the entire world was against him since the majority were Arians, he said that he is against the world

How could Athanasius be so confident of the authenticity of his faith?
What are examples of situations where we know our faith is correct, but we find that everyone else disagrees with our position?

Discipleship

How did being the disciple of St. Antony and Pope Alexander prepare Athanasius to be the leader of Alexandria?
How does spiritual guidance and submission to elders prepare us to be leaders and servants?

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Authenticity of Faith

Athanasius knew his faith was authentic because it had been passed down to him by the Church

The Church is a church of martyrs, and the martyrs shed their blood to preserve, prove, and hand down the faith
Athanasius went on to write that a proof of the Resurrection is that men, women, and children and not afraid of death and are willing to die because of the hope of the Resurrection in Christ

Orthodox Christianity is the minority when it comes to the authenticity of faith and the spirituality of morality

Whereas others may introduce their own opinions or ideas into Scripture or tradition, the Orthodox Church preserves what the Apostles received from the Lord Jesus Christ
Whereas many today question accountability to God and instead call for individualism, Orthodox Christianity recognizes that we are called to be sanctified and made perfect in Christ

Discipleship

As Athanasius learned spirituality, theology, and asceticism from the fathers before him, so we too learn from the fathers, the priests, the monks, and the servants so that we may have a thorough understanding of spirituality, theology, and asceticism

ACTIVITY

Have the students complete the attached worksheet to fill in four facts about St. Athanasius that they have learned.

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the life of Athanasius with your child
Read the Bible with your child or consider reading On the Incarnation or even Life of Antony and discussing it with them
Ask one of the servants may accompany them in a service (e.g. when the servant is going to buy supplies for an activity or is running errands for the church)