Homily, 5-2-22; Memorial of St. Athanasius
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Athanasius who lived in the 4th century. He was a key player in the Council of Nicaea which took place in the year 325. The council was held to resolve a conflict caused by the followers of Arius, a priest from Alexandria. The proponents of Arianism claimed that Jesus was a creature, that He was created by God. They said that He was like God, but not the same substance. Their claims and arguments called into question the divinity of Jesus and, in effect, the concept of the Trinity. At Nicaea, the Church declared Arianism to be a heresy. They stated that Jesus was: