St. Anathasius

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the background and history of St. Anathasius, the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria. It describes some of his contributions to the Christian Church, in which he served as both bishop and deacon. The paper discusses some of the works that St. Anathasius is best known for and describes an apolytikion that was based on his influence and is still sung today.

From the Paper:

"Beyond his involvement with the Nicene Creed, Anthanasius served his time as bishop in many other constructive and influential ways. Known around the world for the high quality of their astronomers, the bishop of Alexandria had a duty to write to all the other bishops every year to inform them what the correct date for Easter would be. These letters were called Easter, or Paschal Letters. Anthanasius took this duty very seriously and his letters contained other information as well. One letter, for example, Since Alexandria had the best astronomers, it was the duty of the Bishop of Alexandria to write to the other bishops every year and tell them the correct date for Easter. Naturally, his annual letter on this topic contained other material as well. On such Paschal Letter that Anthanasius is well known for, often referred to as his 39th Festal Letter gives a list of the books that should be considered part of the canonical Scriptures. He also listed several books suitable for devotional reading (Forbes & Washbourne)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Williams, Rowan. Arius: Heresy and Tradition. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2002.
• 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.
• "Anthanasius Apolytikion". St. Gregory Palamas Monastery.

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