Athanasius, St.

Athanasius, St. (immortal) (c. 296–373) In Christian legend, bishop of Alexandria; one of the Greek Doctors of the Church. Feast, 2 May. A pupil of St. Anthony the Abbot, Athanasius wrote what is considered the first fulllength biography of a saint. He is best known for the Athanasian Creed, which scholars now say was not composed by the saint, though the saint was a staunch defender of orthodoxy over Arianism, a heresy of the early church. The Athanasian Creed is one of three creeds accepted by the Roman and the Anglican Churches. In Christian art he is portrayed as old, bald, and with a long white beard, wearing vestments of the Greek church.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante