Athanasius_of_Alexandria

context: Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (/ˌæθəˈneɪʃəs/; Greek: Ἀθανάσιος Ἀλεξανδρείας, Athanásios Alexandrías; c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor or, primarily in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Athanasius the Apostolic, was the twentieth bishop of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His episcopate lasted 45 years (c. 8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 were spent in five exiles ordered by four different Roman emperors. Athanasius is a renowned Christian theologian, a Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century.
qas: answers: text: Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
question: Who was the twentieth bishop of Alexandria?

answers: text: Athanasius the Great
question: What was one nickname for Saint Athanasius of Alexandria?

answers: text: 45 years
question: For how many years was Saint Athanasius of Alexandria a bishop?

answers: text: 17
question: How many years was Saint Athanasius of Alexandria in exile?

answers: text: 2 May 373
question: When did Saint Athanasius die?

answers: text: Athanasius the Great
question: What name is Saint Athanasius also known as?

answers: text: Alexandria
question: Of what city was he bishop?

answers: text: 45 years
question: How long did his episcopate last?

answers: text: Athanasius the Confessor
question: What is another name that Saint Athanasius is know as?

context: T. Gilmartin, (Professor of History, Maynooth, 1890), writes in Church History, Vol. 1, Ch XVII: On the death of Alexander, five months after the termination of the Council of Nice, Athanasius was unanimously elected to fill the vacant see. He was most unwilling to accept the dignity, for he clearly foresaw the difficulties in which it would involve him. The clergy and people were determined to have him as their bishop, Patriarch of Alexandria, and refused to accept any excuses. He at length consented to accept a responsibility that he sought in vain to escape, and was consecrated in 326, when he was about thirty years of age.
qas: answers: text: 326
question: In what year was Athanasius consecrated?

answers: text: about thirty years of age
question: How old was Athanasius when he became the Patriarch of Alexandria?

answers: text: He was most unwilling to accept
question: Did Athanasius want to be the Patriarch of Alexandria?

answers: text: people were determined to have him
question: Did the people want Athanasius as their bishop?

answers: text: five months
question: How long after the Council of Nice did Saint Athanasius die?

answers: text: unwilling
question: Was Saint Athanasius willing or unwilling to fill the vacancy?

answers: text: in 326
question: In what year was he consecrated?

answers: text: thirty years of age.
question: How old was he when he was consecrated?

context: Through the influence of the Eusebian faction at Constantinople, an Arian bishop, George of Cappadocia, was now appointed to rule the see of Alexandria. Athanasius, after remaining some days in the neighbourhood of the city, finally withdrew into the desert of Upper Egypt, where he remained for a period of six years, living the life of the monks, devoting himself to the composition of a group of writings; "Apology to Constantius", the "Apology for his Flight", the "Letter to the Monks", and the "History of the Arians".
qas: answers: text: Upper Egypt
question: Where did Athanasius remain for 6 years while living as a monk?

answers: text: Letter to the Monks
question: What is name of one of the compositions composed by Athanasius while he lived as a monk?

answers: text: George of Cappadocia
question: Who took over after Athanasius?

answers: text: the Eusebian faction at Constantinople
question: Who influenced George of Cappadocia to become the new ruler?

answers: text: the desert of Upper Egypt
question: To where did Saint Athanasius withdraw?

answers: text: the Eusebian faction at Constantinople
question: Who influenced the appointment of George of Cappadocia?

answers: text: six years
question: How long did he spend in the desert?

answers: text: Apology to Constantius
question: What is one thing he wrote during this time?

answers: text: George of Cappadocia
question: Who was appointed to rule the see of Alexandria?

context: The Arians no longer presented an unbroken front to their orthodox opponents. The Emperor Constantius, who had been the cause of so much trouble, died 4 November, 361 and was succeeded by Julian. The proclamation of the new prince's accession was the signal for a pagan outbreak against the still dominant Arian faction in Alexandria. George, the usurping Bishop, was flung into prison and murdered. An obscure presbyter of the name of Pistus was immediately chosen by the Arians to succeed him, when fresh news arrived that filled the orthodox party with hope. An edict had been put forth by Julian permitting the exiled bishops of the "Galileans" to return to their "towns and provinces". Athanasius received a summons from his own flock, and he accordingly re-entered his episcopal capitol on 22 February, 362.
qas: answers: text: Julian
question: Who succeeded Emperor Constantius?

answers: text: Pistus
question: Who succeeded George of Cappadocia?

answers: text: 362
question: In what year did Athanasius return to his episcopal capitol?

answers: text: 361
question: In what year did Emperor Constantius die?

answers: text: murdered
question: How did George of Cappadocia die in prison?

answers: text: The Arians no longer presented an unbroken front
question: Were the Arians united in their oppostion?

answers: text: 22 February, 362
question: When did Athanasius re-enter the capitol?

answers: text: Julian
question: Who succeeded the Emperor Constantius?

answers: text: An obscure presbyter of the name of Pistus
question: Who then succeeded George?

answers: text: flung into prison and murdered
question: What happened to the usurping bishop, George?

context: The accession of Valens gave a fresh lease of life to the Arian party. He issued a decree banishing the bishops who had been deposed by Constantius, but who had been permitted by Jovian to return to their sees. The news created the greatest consternation in the city of Alexandria itself, and the prefect, in order to prevent a serious outbreak, gave public assurance that the very special case of Athanasius would be laid before the emperor. But the saint seems to have divined what was preparing in secret against him. He quietly withdrew from Alexandria, 5 October, and took up his abode in a country house outside the city. Valens, who seems to have sincerely dreaded the possible consequences of another popular outbreak, within a few weeks issued orders allowing Athanasius to return to his episcopal see. 
qas: answers: text: Arian
question: What party benefited from the accession of Valens?

answers: text: Constantius
question: Valens issued a decree banishing the bishops that were deposed by who?

answers: text: Athanasius
question: What saint fled from Alexandria on 5 October to a country house outside Alexandria?

answers: text: Alexandria
question: Valens' banishment of Athanasius created the greatest consternation in what city?

answers: text: banishing the bishops who had been deposed by Constantius
question: What did the decree of Valens do?

answers: text: case of Athanasius would be laid before the emperor
question: When the people in the city were concerned about Athanasius, what did the prefect do? 

answers: text: withdrew from Alexandria, 5 October
question: What did  Athanasius do to protect himself?

answers: text: issued orders allowing Athanasius to return to his episcopal see
question: How did Valens get him to return?

context: His biography of Anthony the Great entitled Life of Antony(Βίος καὶ Πολιτεία Πατρὸς Ἀντωνίου, Vita Antonii) became his most widely-read work. Translated into several languages, it played an important role in the spreading of the ascetic ideal in Eastern and Western Christianity. Depicting Anthony as an illiterate and holy man who through his existence in a primordial landscape has an absolute connection to the divine truth, the biography also resembles the life of his biographer Athanasius. It later served as an inspiration to Christian monastics in both the East and the West. The so-called Athanasian Creed dates from well after Athanasius's death and draws upon the phraseology of Augustine's De trinitate.
qas: answers: text: Athanasius
question: Who wrote the biography entitled Life of Antony?

answers: text: Eastern and Western Christianity
question: Life of Antony played an important role in the spreading of ascetic ideals in what religion?

answers: text: Athanasius
question: The biography, Life of Antony, also resembles of the life of who?

answers: text: Augustine's De trinitate
question: The so-called Athanasian Creed draws upon the phraseology of what?

answers: text: Anthony the Great
question: About whom did he write his most widely-read work?

answers: text: spreading of the ascetic ideal in Eastern and Western Christianity
question: Why was this work considered to be important?

answers: text: illiterate and holy
question: How did he depict Anthony?

answers: text: Augustine's De trinitate
question: What does the Athanasian Creed draw upon?

answers: text: Athanasius
question: Whose life did Anthony's resemble?

context: Conflict with Arius and Arianism as well as successive Roman emperors shaped Athanasius's career. In 325, at the age of 27, Athanasius began his leading role against the Arians as his bishop's assistant during the First Council of Nicaea. Roman emperor Constantine the Great had convened the council in May–August 325 to address the Arian position that the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, is of a distinct substance from the Father. Three years after that council, Athanasius succeeded his mentor as archbishop of Alexandria. In addition to the conflict with the Arians (including powerful and influential Arian churchmen led by Eusebius of Nicomedia), he struggled against the Emperors Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens. He was known as "Athanasius Contra Mundum" (Latin for Athanasius Against the World).
qas: answers: text: 27
question: Athanasius began his leading role at what age?

answers: text: 325
question: In what year was the First Council of Nicaea?

answers: text: Athanasius Contra Mundum
question: Athanasius was also known as what?

answers: text: Three years
question: How many years after the First Council of Nicaea did Athanasius become archbishop?

answers: text: Constantine
question: Who is one emporer Athanasius struggled against?

answers: text: Conflict with Arius and Arianism
question: What conflict shaped his career?

answers: text: Jesus of Nazareth, is of a distinct substance from the Father
question: Why was the First Council of Nicaea convened?

answers: text: Athanasius Against the World
question: Because of his conflicts with the emperors, how was he known?

answers: text: the Arian position
question: Whose position was it that Jesus was the Son of God?

context: Rufinus relates a story that as Bishop Alexander stood by a window, he watched boys playing on the seashore below, imitating the ritual of Christian baptism. He sent for the children and discovered that one of the boys (Athanasius) had acted as bishop. After questioning Athanasius, Bishop Alexander informed him that the baptisms were genuine, as both the form and matter of the sacrament had been performed through the recitation of the correct words and the administration of water, and that he must not continue to do this as those baptized had not been properly catechized. He invited Athanasius and his playfellows to prepare for clerical careers.
qas: answers: text: the baptisms were genuine
question: Were the pretend baptisms real?

answers: text: ritual of Christian baptism
question: As a child, Athanasius imitated what ritual?

answers: text: clerical careers
question: What work did the Bishop suggest for Athanasius?

answers: text: not been properly catechized
question: Why was Athanasius instructed to stop pretend baptising?

context: Athanasius recounts being a student, as well as being educated by the Martyrs of the Great (tenth) and last persecution of Christianity by pagan Rome.[citation needed] This persecution was most severe in the East, particularly in Egypt and Palestine. Peter of Alexandria, the 17th archbishop of Alexandria, was martyred in 311 in the closing days of that persecution, and may have been one of those teachers. His successor as bishop of Alexandria, Alexander of Alexandria (312–328) was an Origenist as well as a documented mentor of Athanasius. According to Sozomen, Bishop Alexander "invited Athanasius to be his commensal and secretary. He had been well educated, and was versed in grammar and rhetoric, and had already, while still a young man, and before reaching the episcopate, given proof to those who dwelt with him of his wisdom and acumen". Athanasius's earliest work, Against the Heathen – On the Incarnation (written before 319), bears traces of Origenist Alexandrian thought (such as repeatedly quoting Plato and used a definition from Aristotle's Organon) but in an orthodox way. Athanasius was also familiar with the theories of various philosophical schools, and in particular with the developments of Neo-Platonism. Ultimately, Athanasius would modify the philosophical thought of the School of Alexandria away from the Origenist principles such as the "entirely allegorical interpretation of the text". Still, in later works, Athanasius quotes Homer more than once (Hist. Ar. 68, Orat. iv. 29). In his letter to Emperor Constantius, he presents a defense of himself bearing unmistakable traces of a study of Demosthenes de Corona.
qas: answers: text: in the East
question: Where was persecution of Christianity the worst?

answers: text: Homer
question: What famous Greek author did Athanasius  quote?

answers: text: in 311
question: In what year was Peter of Alexandria martyred?

answers: text: Peter of Alexandria
question: Who could have been one of Athanasius's teachers?

answers: text: quoting Plato
question: What suggests that Athanasius was familiar with ancient Greek philosophers?

context: In about 319, when Athanasius was a deacon, a presbyter named Arius came into a direct conflict with Alexander of Alexandria. It appears that Arius reproached Alexander for what he felt were misguided or heretical teachings being taught by the bishop. Arius's theological views appear to have been firmly rooted in Alexandrian Christianity, and his Christological views were certainly not radical at all. He embraced a subordinationist Christology which taught that Christ was the divine Son (Logos) of God, made, not begotten, heavily influenced by Alexandrian thinkers like Origen, and which was a common Christological view in Alexandria at the time. Support for Arius from powerful bishops like Eusebius of Caesarea and Eusebius of Nicomedia, further illustrate how Arius's subordinationist Christology was shared by other Christians in the Empire. Arius was subsequently excommunicated by Alexander, and he would begin to elicit the support of many bishops who agreed with his position.
qas: answers: text: Son (Logos) of God, made, not begotten
question: What made Arius's belief about Jesus different from Alexander's?

answers: text: common Christological view
question: Was this differing view common among Christians of the day?

answers: text: powerful bishops
question: What other leaders believed this?

answers: text: excommunicated by Alexander
question: What eventually happened to Arius?

context: Athanasius's episcopate began on 9 May 328 as the Alexandrian Council elected Athanasius to succeed the aged Alexander. That council also denounced various heresies and schisms, many of which continued to preoccupy his 45-year-long episcopate (c. 8 June 328 – 2 May 373). Patriarch Athanasius spent over 17 years in five exiles ordered by four different Roman Emperors, not counting approximately six more incidents in which Athanasius fled Alexandria to escape people seeking to take his life. This gave rise to the expression "Athanasius contra mundum" or "Athanasius against the world". However, during his first years as bishop, Athanasius visited the churches of his territory, which at that time included all of Egypt and Libya. He established contacts with the hermits and monks of the desert, including Pachomius, which proved very valuable to him over the years. Shortly thereafter, Athanasius became occupied with the theological disputes against Arians within the Byzantine Empire that would occupy much of his life.
qas: answers: text: Alexander
question: Who did Athanasius succeed?

answers: text: five exiles
question: How many exiles did he endure?

answers: text: Egypt and Libya
question: The churches of what countries were in his territory?

answers: text: disputes against Arians
question: Was he united with the Arians in his beliefs?

context: Early in the year 343 we find Athanasius had travelled, via Rome, from Alexandria, North Africa, to Gaul; nowadays Belgium / Holland and surrounding areas, where Hosius of Cordoba was Bishop, the great champion of orthodoxy in the West. The two, together, set out for Sardica. A full Council of the Church was convened / summoned there in deference to the Roman pontiff's wishes. The travel was a mammoth task in itself. At this great gathering of prelates, leaders of the Church, the case of Athanasius was taken up once more, that is, Athanasius was formally questioned over misdemeanours and even murder, (a man called Arsenius and using his body for magic, – an absurd charge.). [The Council was convoked for the purpose of inquiring into the charges against Athanasius and other bishops, on account of which they were deposed from their sees by the Semi-Arian Synod of Antioch (341), and went into exile. It was called according to Socrates, (E. H. ii. 20) by the two Emperors, Constans and Constantius; but, according to Baronius by Pope Julius (337–352), (Ad an. 343). One hundred and seventy six attended. Eusebian bishops objected to the admission of Athanasius and other deposed bishops to the Council, except as accused persons to answer the charges brought against them. Their objections were overridden by the orthodox bishops, about a hundred were orthodox, who were the majority. The Eusebians, seeing they had no chance of having their views carried, retired to Philoppopolis in Thrace, Philippopolis (Thracia), where they held an opposition council, under the presidency of the Patriarch of Antioch, and confirmed the decrees of the Synod of Antioch. ]. Once more, at the Council of Sardica, was his innocence reaffirmed. Two conciliar letters were prepared, one to the clergy and faithful of Alexandria, the other to the bishops of Egypt and Libya, in which the will of the Council was made known. Meanwhile, the Eusebian party had gone to Philippopolis, where they issued an anathema against Athanasius and his supporters. The persecution against the orthodox party broke out with renewed vigour, and Constantius was induced to prepare drastic measures against Athanasius and the priests who were devoted to him. Orders were given that if the Saint attempt to re-enter his see, he should be put to death. Athanasius, accordingly, withdrew from Sardica to Naissus in Mysia, where he celebrated the Easter festival of the year 344. It was Hosius who presided over the Council of Sardica, as he did for the First Council of Nicaea, which like the 341 synod, found Athanasius innocent. &. He celebrated his last Easter in exile in Aquileia in April 345, received by bishop Fortunatianus.
qas: answers: text: Belgium / Holland and surrounding areas
question: Where is Gaul currently located?

answers: text: his innocence reaffirmed
question: What was the verdict at the Council of Sardica?

answers: text: Hosius of Cordoba
question: With whom did Athanasius travel to Sardica?

answers: text: misdemeanours and even murder
question: About what did the Council of the Church question Athanasius?

answers: text: objections were overridden by the orthodox bishops
question: Was Athanasius permitted admission to the Council?

context: Pope Julius had died in April, 352, and was succeeded by Liberius. For two years Liberius had been favourable to the cause of Athanasius; but driven at last into exile, he was induced to sign an ambiguous formula, from which the great Nicene text, the "homoousion", had been studiously omitted. In 355 a council was held at Milan, where in spite of the vigorous opposition of a handful of loyal prelates among the Western bishops, a fourth condemnation of Athanasius was announced to the world. With his friends scattered, the saintly Hosius in exile, and Pope Liberius denounced as acquiescing in Arian formularies, Athanasius could hardly hope to escape. On the night of 8 February, 356, while engaged in services in the Church of St. Thomas, a band of armed men burst in to secure his arrest. It was the beginning of his third exile.
qas: answers: text: 352
question: In what year did Pope Julius die?

answers: text: Liberius had been favourable
question: Did Liberius sympathize with Athanasius?

answers: text: armed men
question: Where the men armed who arrested him?

answers: text: a fourth condemnation of Athanasius
question: What was the outcome of the Council of Milan?

answers: text: engaged in services
question: What was  Athanasius doing when he was arrested?

context: Constantius, renewing his previous policies favoring the Arians, banished Athanasius from Alexandria once again. This was followed, in 356, by an attempt to arrest Athanasius during a vigil service. Athanasius fled to Upper Egypt, where he stayed in several monasteries and other houses. During this period, Athanasius completed his work Four Orations against the Arians and defended his own recent conduct in the Apology to Constantius and Apology for His Flight. Constantius's persistence in his opposition to Athanasius, combined with reports Athanasius received about the persecution of non-Arians by the new Arian bishop George of Laodicea, prompted Athanasius to write his more emotional History of the Arians, in which he described Constantius as a precursor of the Antichrist.
qas: answers: text: the Arians
question: Who had a policy of condemning Athanasius?

answers: text: a vigil service
question: What was Athanasius doing the next time an arrest was attempted?

answers: text: Upper Egypt
question: Where did Athanasius flee to after this attempt?

answers: text: History of the Arians
question: In which work did he refer to Constantius as a precursor of the Antichrist?

answers: text: Four Orations against the Arians
question: What did he write during this time?

context: T. Gilmartin, (Professor of History, Maynooth, 1890), writes in Church History, Vol. 1, Ch XVII: The Arians sought the approval of an Ecumenical Council. They sought to hold two councils. Constantius, summoned the bishops of the East to meet at Seleucia in Isauria, and those of the West to Rimini in Italy. A preliminary conference was held by the Arians at Sirmium, to agree a formula of faith. A "Homoeon" creed was adopted, declaring The Son to be "like the Father". The two met in autumn of 359. At Seleucia, one hundred and fifty bishops, of which one hundred and five were semi-Arian. The semi-Arians refused to accept anything less than the "Homoiousion", (see: Homoiousian), formulary of faith. The Imperial Prefect was obliged to disband, without agreeing on any creed. Acacius, the leader of the "Homoean" party went to Constantinople, where the Sirmian formulary of faith was approved by the "Home Synod", (consisted of those bishops who happened to be present at the Court for the time), and a decree of deposition issued against the leaders of the semi-Arians. At Rimini were over four hundred of which eighty were Arian, the rest were orthodox. The orthodox fathers refused to accept any creed but the Nicene, while the others were equally in favour of the Sirmian. Each party sent a deputation to the Emperor to say there was no probability to agreement, and asked for the bishops to return to their dioceses. For the purpose of wearing-down the orthodox bishops; (Sulpitius Severius says), Constantius delayed his answer for several months, and finally prevailed on them to accept the Sirmian creed. It was after this Council that Jerome said: " ...the whole world groaned in astonishment to find itself Arian."
qas: answers: text: Rimini in Italy
question: Where did bishops of the West meet?

answers: text: Arian
question: What belief was accepted by Constantius?

answers: text: The Son to be "like the Father"
question: What was the belief that was approved at this council?

answers: text: the Nicene
question: What did the orthodox leaders believe?

answers: text: a formula of faith
question: What did the Arians agree upon at Sirmium?

context: With characteristic energy he set to work to re-establish the somewhat shattered fortunes of the orthodox party and to purge the theological atmosphere of uncertainty. To clear up the misunderstandings that had arisen in the course of the previous years, an attempt was made to determine still further the significance of the Nicene formularies. In the meanwhile, Julian, who seems to have become suddenly jealous of the influence that Athanasius was exercising at Alexandria, addressed an order to Ecdicius, the Prefect of Egypt, peremptorily commanding the expulsion of the restored primate, on the ground that he had never been included in the imperial act of clemency. The edict was communicated to the bishop by Pythicodorus Trico, who, though described in the "Chronicon Athanasianum" (XXXV) as a "philosopher", seems to have behaved with brutal insolence. On 23 October the people gathered about the proscribed bishop to protest against the emperor's decree; but Athanasius urged them to submit, consoling them with the promise that his absence would be of short duration.
qas: answers: text: Prefect of Egypt
question: What position did Ecdicius hold?

answers: text: short duration
question: Did he think he would be gone a long time?

answers: text: Julian
question: Who was jealous of Athanasius's influence?

answers: text: expulsion
question: What did Julian try to do to Athanasius?

answers: text: urged them to submit
question: Did Athanasius tell the people to protest?

context: Athanasius also wrote a two-part Against the Heathen and The Incarnation of the Word of God. Completed probably early in his life, before the Arian controversy, they constitute the first classic work of developed Orthodox theology. In the first part, Athanasius attacks several pagan practices and beliefs. The second part presents teachings on the redemption. Also in these books, Athanasius put forward the belief that the Son of God, the eternal Word through whom God created the world, entered that world in human form to lead men back into the harmony from which they had earlier fallen away.
qas: answers: text: before the Arian controversy
question: When did he write his first works on Orthodox Christianity?

answers: text: Against the Heathen
question: Which of the two first works addresses pagan practices?

answers: text: in human form
question: How did he believe Jesus came into the world?

answers: text: Incarnation of the Word of God
question: Which of his works addresses redemption and the Son of God?

context: In the light of Mother F. A. Forbes research and reference to Pope Saint Gregory's writings, it would appear that Athanasius was constrained to be Bishop: She writes that when the Patriarch Alexander was on his death-bed he called Athanasius, who fled fearing he would be constrained to be made Bishop. "When the Bishops of the Church assembled to elect their new Patriarch, the whole Catholic population surrounded the church, holding up their hands to Heaven and crying; "Give us Athanasius!" The Bishops had nothing better. Athanasius was thus elected, as Gregory tells us..." (Pope Gregory I, would have full access to the Vatican Archives).
qas: answers: text: fled
question: What did he do when he thought he might be made Bishop?

answers: text: "Give us Athanasius!"
question: Who did the Catholics of Alexandria want as their Bishop?

answers: text: on his death-bed
question: When did Alexander ask to see Athanasius? 

answers: text: The Bishops had nothing better
question: Was there someone else that was preferred as Bishop?

context: Throughout most of his career, Athanasius had many detractors. Classical scholar Timothy Barnes relates contemporary allegations against Athanasius: from defiling an altar, to selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and even violence and murder to suppress dissent. Athanasius used "Arian" to describe both followers of Arius, and as a derogatory polemical term for Christians who disagreed with his formulation of the Trinity. Athanasius called many of his opponents "Arian", except for Miletus.
qas: answers: text: many detractors
question: Was Athanasius well liked by everyone?

answers: text: defiling an altar
question: What was he accused of doing to a church?

answers: text: his own personal gain
question: He was accused of selling grain for what reason?

answers: text: Christians who disagreed with his formulation
question: What did the term Arian mean to him?

answers: text: Arian
question: What did he call his detractors?

context: Nonetheless, within a few years of his death, Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "Pillar of the Church". His writings were well regarded by all Church fathers who followed, in both the West and the East, who noted their rich devotion to the Word-become-man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism. Athanasius is counted as one of the four great Eastern Doctors of the Church in the Roman Catholic Church. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, he is labeled the "Father of Orthodoxy". Some Protestants label him "Father of the Canon". Athanasius is venerated as a Christian saint, whose feast day is 2 May in Western Christianity, 15 May in the Coptic Orthodox Church, and 18 January in the other Eastern Orthodox Churches. He is venerated by the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutherans, and the Anglican Communion.
qas: answers: text: Pillar of the Church
question: What was he known as soon after he died?

answers: text: 18 January
question: What day is he celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

answers: text: Father of Orthodoxy
question: How does the Eastern Orthodox Church refer to him?

answers: text: Father of the Canon
question: What do the Protestants call him?

answers: text: 2 May
question: What is his feast day in Western Christianity?

context: Alexandria was the most important trade center in the whole empire during Athanasius's boyhood. Intellectually, morally, and politically—it epitomized the ethnically diverse Graeco-Roman world, even more than Rome or Constantinople, Antioch or Marseilles. Its famous catechetical school, while sacrificing none of its famous passion for orthodoxy since the days of Pantaenus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen of Alexandria, Dionysius and Theognostus, had begun to take on an almost secular character in the comprehensiveness of its interests, and had counted influential pagans among its serious auditors.
qas: answers: text: important trade center
question: What was Alexandria known for?

answers: text: secular character
question: Was the famous school in Alexandria religious only?

answers: text: influential pagans
question: Did only Christians attend the school?

answers: text: ethnically diverse
question: Was Alexandria welcoming to other cultures?

context: However Cornelius Clifford places his birth no earlier than 296 and no later than 298, based on the fact that Athanasius indicates no first hand recollection of the Maximian persecution of 303, which he suggests Athanasius would have remembered if he had been ten years old at the time. Secondly, the Festal Epistles state that the Arians had accused Athanasius, among other charges, of not having yet attained the canonical age (30) and thus could not have been properly ordained as Patriarch of Alexandria in 328. The accusation must have seemed plausible. The Orthodox Church places his year of birth around 297.
qas: answers: text: Maximian persecution
question: What famous event happened in 303?

answers: text: the Festal Epistles
question: What writing mentions the Arian accusation that Athanasius was under aged?

answers: text: canonical age (30)
question: At what age was a man eligible to be ordained at Patriarch of Alexandria?

context: Athanasius's first problem lay with Meletius of Lycopolis and his followers, who had failed to abide by the First Council of Nicaea. That council also anathematized Arius. Accused of mistreating Arians and Meletians, Athanasius answered those charges at a gathering of bishops in Tyre, the First Synod of Tyre, in 335. There, Eusebius of Nicomedia and other supporters of Arius deposed Athanasius. On 6 November, both sides of the dispute met with Emperor Constantine I in Constantinople. At that meeting, the Arians claimed Athanasius would try to cut off essential Egyptian grain supplies to Constantinople. He was found guilty, and sent into exile to Augusta Treverorum in Gaul (now Trier in Germany).
qas: answers: text: failed to abide
question: Did the followers of Meletius obey the guidelines of Nicaea?

answers: text: cut off essential Egyptian grain
question: What was Athanasius accused of planning against the Arians?

answers: text: was found guilty
question: What was the verdict of the accusation?

answers: text: anathematized
question: What was his punishment?

answers: text: Arians and Meletians
question: Who was he accused of harming?

context: Athanasius knew Greek and admitted not knowing Hebrew [see, e.g., the 39th Festal Letter of St. Athan.]. The Old Testament passages he quotes frequently come from the Septuagint Greek translation. Only rarely did he use other Greek versions (to Aquila once in the Ecthesis, to other versions once or twice on the Psalms), and his knowledge of the Old Testament was limited to the Septuagint. Nonetheless, during his later exile, with no access to a copy of the Scriptures, Athanasius could quote from memory every verse in the Old Testament with a supposed reference to the Trinity without missing any.[citation needed] The combination of Scriptural study and of Greek learning was characteristic of the famous Alexandrian School.
qas: answers: text: knew Greek
question: Did Athanasius speak Greek?

answers: text: not knowing Hebrew
question: Did he understand Hebrew?

answers: text: limited to the Septuagint
question: Did he know all of the Old Testament?

answers: text: Scriptural study and of Greek
question: What did students learn in the school in Alexandria?

answers: text: Septuagint Greek
question: What translation of the Old Testament did he study?

context: After the death of the replacement bishop Gregory in 345, Constans used his influence to allow Athanasius to return to Alexandria in October 345, amidst the enthusiastic demonstrations of the populace. This began a "golden decade" of peace and prosperity, during which time Athanasius assembled several documents relating to his exiles and returns from exile in the Apology Against the Arians. However, upon Constans's death in 350, another civil war broke out, which left pro-Arian Constantius as sole emperor. An Alexandria local council in 350 replaced (or reaffirmed) Athanasius in his see.
qas: answers: text: Constans
question: Who did he have to thank for his ability to come back to Alexandria in 345?

answers: text: enthusiastic demonstrations
question: Were the people glad to have him home?

answers: text: Apology Against the Arians
question: In what writing did he recount his time in exiles?

answers: text: civil war
question: What happened when Constans died?

answers: text: pro-Arian
question: Did the new emperor agree or disagree with the Arians?

context: Frances A. M. Forbes writes that when the Patriarch Alexander was on his death-bed he called Athanasius, who fled fearing he would be constrained to be made Bishop. "When the Bishops of the Church assembled to elect their new Patriarch, the whole Catholic population surrounded the church, holding up their hands to Heaven and crying; "Give us Athanasius!" The Bishops had nothing better. Athanasius was thus elected, as Gregory tells us..." (Pope Gregory I, would have full access to the Vatican Archives).
qas: answers: text: fled
question: What did Athanasius do to avoid speaking to Alexander on his deathbed?

answers: text: Give us Athanasius
question: Who did the Alexandrian people want to be their Bishop?

answers: text: Bishops had nothing better
question: Did the Bishops have someone else in mind?

answers: text: called Athanasius
question: Who did Alexander ask for when he was dieing?

context: Constantius, ordered Liberius into exile in 356 giving him, then, three days to comply. He was ordered into banishment to Beroea, in Thrace; Beroea (Thrace). He sent expensive presents, too, if he were to accept the Arian position but were refused. He sent him, indeed, five hundred pieces of gold "to bear his charges" but Liberius refused them, saying, he might bestow them on his flatters; as he did also a like present from the empress, bidding the messenger learn to believe in Christ, and not to persecute the Church of God. Attempts were made to leave the presents in The Church, but Liberius threw them out. Constantius hereupon sent for him under a strict guard to Milan, where, in a conference recorded by Theodoret, he boldly told Constantius that Athanasius had been acquitted at Sardica, and his enemies proved calumniators (see: "calumny") and impostors, and that it was unjust to condemn a person who could not be legally convicted of any crime. The emperor was reduced to silence on every article, but being the more out of patience, ordered him into banishment. Liberius went into exile. Constantius, after two years went to Rome to celebrate the twentieth year of his reign. The ladies joined in a petition to him that he would restore Liberius. He assented, upon condition that he should comply with the bishops, then, at court. He subscribed the condemnation of Athanasius, and a confession or creed which had been framed by the Arians at Sirmium. And he no sooner had recovered his see that he declared himself for the Creed of Niceae, as Theodoret testifies. (Theodoret, Hist. lib. ii. c. 17.). The Emperor knew what he wanted people to believe. So did the bishops at his court. Athanasius stuck by the orthodox creed. Constantius was an avowed Arian, became sole ruler in 350, at the death of his brother, Constans.
qas: answers: text: Constantius
question: Who tried to bribe Liberius?

answers: text: three days
question: How much warning was Liberius given before his exile?

answers: text: Beroea
question: Where did Liberius go?

answers: text: were refused
question: Did bribery work in convincing Liberius to believe the Arians?

answers: text: comply with the bishops
question: What did Liberius have to promise to do in order to return?

context: When Emperor Constantine I died, Athanasius was allowed to return to his See of Alexandria. Shortly thereafter, however, Constantine's son, the new Roman Emperor Constantius II, renewed the order for Athanasius's banishment in 338. Athanasius went to Rome, where he was under the protection of Constans, the Emperor of the West. During this time, Gregory of Cappadocia was installed as the Patriarch of Alexandria, usurping the absent Athanasius. Athanasius did, however, remain in contact with his people through his annual Festal Letters, in which he also announced on which date Easter would be celebrated that year.
qas: answers: text: When Emperor Constantine I died
question: At what point could Athanasius return to Alexandria?

answers: text: Constans
question: Who provided for his protection while he was in Rome?

answers: text: Gregory of Cappadocia
question: Who became Patriarch in Alexandria while Athanasius was away?

answers: text: Festal Letters
question: How did the people of Alexandria know when to celebrate Easter?

answers: text: Constantius II
question: Who declared Athanasius to be exiled again?

context: T. Gilmartin, (Professor of History, Maynooth, 1890), writes in Church History, Vol. 1, Ch XVII: By Constantius's order, the sole ruler of The Roman Empire at the death of his brother Constans, the Council of Arles in 353, was held, which was presided over by Vincent, Bishop of Capua, in the name of Pope Liberius. The fathers terrified of the threats of the Emperor, an avowed Arian, they consented to the condemnation of Athanasius. The Pope refused to accept their decision, and requested the Emperor to hold another Council, in which the charges against Athanasius could be freely investigated. To this Constantius consented, for he felt able to control it, at Milan. Milan was named as the place, here three hundred bishops assembled, most from the West, only a few from the East, in 355. They met in the Church of Milan. Shortly, the Emperor ordered them to a hall in the Imperial Palace, thus ending any free debate. He presented an Arian formula of faith for their acceptance. He threatened any who refused with exile and death. All, with the exception of Dionysius (bishop of Milan), and the two Papal Legates, viz., Eusebius of Vercelli and Lucifer of Cagliari, consented to the Arian Creed and the condemnation of Athanasius. Those who refused were sent into exile. The decrees were forwarded to the Pope for approval, but were rejected, because of the violence to which the bishops were subjected.
qas: answers: text: threats of the Emperor
question: Why did the Bishops condemn Athanasius?

answers: text: sent into exile
question: What happened to the Bishops who did not take the oath?

answers: text: Pope refused to accept
question: Did the Pope agree with this order?

answers: text: Constantius consented
question: Did the Emperor agree to a new trial for Athanasius?

answers: text: Arian formula of faith
question: What oath did the Bishops have to take at the trial?

context: In 361, after the death of Emperor Constantius, shortly followed by the murder of the very unpopular Bishop George, Athanasius returned to his patriarchate. The following year he convened a council at Alexandria, and presided over it with Eusebius of Vercelli. Athanasius appealed for unity among all those who had faith in Christianity, even if they differed on matters of terminology. This prepared the groundwork for his definition of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. However, the council also was directed against those who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit, the human soul of Christ, and Christ's divinity. Mild measures were agreed on for those heretic bishops who repented, but severe penance was decreed for the chief leaders of the major heresies.
qas: answers: text: murder
question: What happened to Bishop George?

answers: text: severe penance
question: What happened to Bishop leaders who did not agree with the doctrine?

answers: text: after the death of Emperor Constantius
question: When did Athanasius return to his position as Patriarch?

answers: text: Eusebius of Vercelli
question: Who joined him when he formed a council to encourage unity among Christians?

context: Two years later, the Emperor Valens, who favored the Arian position, in his turn exiled Athanasius. This time however, Athanasius simply left for the outskirts of Alexandria, where he stayed for only a few months before the local authorities convinced Valens to retract his order of exile. Some early reports state that Athanasius spent this period of exile at his family's ancestral tomb in a Christian cemetery. It was during this period, the final exile, that he is said to have spent four months in hiding in his father's tomb. (Soz., "Hist. Eccl.", VI, xii; Soc., "Hist. Eccl.", IV, xii).
qas: answers: text: Arian
question: What Christian beliefs did Emperor Valens adhere to?

answers: text: outskirts of Alexandria
question: Where did Athanasius during his latest exile?

answers: text: few months
question: For how long was he exiled this time?

answers: text: his father's tomb
question: Where did he hide during this time?

answers: text: local authorities
question: Who convinced Valens to let him return to Alexandria?

context: Athanasius is the first person to identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that are in use today. Up until then, various similar lists of works to be read in churches were in use. Athanasius compiled the list to resolve questions about such texts as The Epistle of Barnabas. Athanasius includes the Book of Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah and places the Book of Esther among the "7 books not in the canon but to be read" along with the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Judith, Tobit, the Didache, and the Shepherd of Hermas.
qas: answers: text: Athanasius
question: Who standardized the books of the New Testament?

answers: text: various
question: What books were used before his decision to standardize?

answers: text: 7 books
question: How many books are listed that should be included but were not?

answers: text: 27 books
question: How many books are in the New Testament?

answers: text: in use today
question: Have those books changed over time?

context: Perhaps, his most notable letter was his Festal Letter, written to his Church in Alexandria when he was in exile, as he could not be in their presence. This letter shows clearly his stand that accepting Jesus is the Divine Son of God is not optional but necessary; "I know moreover that not only this thing saddens you, but also the fact that while others have obtained the churches by violence, you are meanwhile cast out from your places. For they hold the places, but you the Apostolic Faith. They are, it is true, in the places, but outside of the true Faith; while you are outside the places indeed, but the Faith, within you. Let us consider whether is the greater, the place or the Faith. Clearly the true Faith. Who then has lost more, or who possesses more? He who holds the place, or he who holds the Faith?
qas: answers: text: not optional but necessary
question: Did Athanasius feel that it was important to believe that Jesus was the Son of God?

answers: text: the true Faith
question: Did his place more value on his Faith or where he was living?

answers: text: outside of the true Faith
question: Did he think that the people that had exiled him were true believers?

answers: text: within you
question: Where did Athanasius think Faith resides?

answers: text: his Church in Alexandria
question: Who was the Festal Letter written for?

context: Alban Butler, writes on the subject: "Five months after this great Council, Nicae, St Alexander lying on his death-bed, recommended to his clergy and people the choice of Athanasius for his successor, thrice repeating his name. In consequence of his recommendation, the bishops of all Egypt assembled at Alexandria, and finding the people and clergy unanimous in their choice of Athanasius for patriarch, they confirmed the election about the middle of year 326. He seems, then, to have been about thirty years of age. " 
qas: answers: text: thrice repeating his name
question: How did the people  know that Alexander had chosen Athanasius as his successor?

answers: text: thirty years
question: How old was Athanasius when he was chosen as Patriarch?

answers: text: bishops of all Egypt
question: Who came to Alexandria to confirm the choice?

answers: text: unanimous in their choice
question: Did all the people want him as Patriarch?

answers: text: Five months
question: How long after the Council of Nicae did Alexander die?

context: The Gospel of John and particularly the first chapter demonstrates the Divinity of Jesus. This Gospel in itself is the greatest support of Athanasius's stand. The Gospel of John's first chapter began to be said at the end of Mass, we believe as a result of Athanasius, and his life's stand, but quietly. The Last Gospel of The Mass, The Eucharist, St John[1:1–14], together with the prayer; "Placeat tibi", the Blessing, are all private devotions that have been gradually absorbed by the liturgical service. The beginning of John's Gospel was much used as an object of special devotion throughout the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, the practice of saying it at the altar grew; eventually Pius V made this practice universal for the Roman Rite in his edition of the Missal (1570). It became a firm custom with exceptions in using an other Gospel in use from 1920. So the Missals showed different last Gospel for certain Feast days. A Prayer Card for the St John's Gospel. Also:
qas: answers: text: Gospel of John
question: Which of the Gospels most agrees with Athanasius?

answers: text: the Divinity of Jesus
question: What does this Gospel show that Athanasius also believed?

answers: text: a result of Athanasius
question: Why is the Gospel of John said at the end of Catholic Mass?

answers: text: at the altar
question: Where was this Gospel said?

answers: text: certain Feast days
question: When are different Gospels said?

context: Scholars now believe that the Arian Party was not monolithic, but held drastically different theological views that spanned the early Christian theological spectrum. They supported the tenets of Origenist thought and theology, but had little else in common. Moreover, many labelled "Arian" did not consider themselves followers of Arius. In addition, non-Homoousian bishops disagreed with being labeled as followers of Arius, since Arius was merely a presbyter, while they were fully ordained bishops. However, others point to the Council of Nicaea as proof in and of itself that Arianism was a real theological ideology.[citation needed]
qas: answers: text: different theological views
question: Did all Arians believe the same things?

answers: text: supported the tenets
question: Were Arians also Origenists?

answers: text: bishops disagreed
question: Did the bishops consider themselves Arians?

answers: text: a real theological ideology
question: What did the Council of Nicaea decide about Arianism?

answers: text: not monolithic
question: Did Arians have one set of beliefs?