FaithMarks on May 2, 2025--Athanasius of Alexandria Dies (373 AD)

“Then Athanasius is against the world.”

Today we remember Athanasius of Alexandria, one of the most courageous defenders of the Christian faith in all of church history. He died on May 2, 373 AD, after a lifetime of standing firm when nearly everyone else fell away.

In the 4th century, a popular teacher named Arius taught that Jesus wasn’t fully God—just a created being, higher than the rest, but not equal to the Father. This idea spread quickly. Many bishops accepted it. So did emperors. But Athanasius refused.

He insisted that Jesus Christ is of the same essence (homoousios) as the Father—eternal, divine, fully God.

For this, Athanasius was exiled five times. He spent years in hiding. His life was threatened. But he never gave up. The phrase that came to define his legacy?

“Athanasius contra mundum”—Athanasius against the world.

Why does that matter today? Because Athanasius reminds us that truth is worth standing for, even when it's costly. That Jesus isn't just a good man or a spiritual guide—He is God in the flesh. And that faithfulness may mean loneliness, but never meaninglessness.

Athanasius once wrote:

“He became what we are so that He might make us what He is.”

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

May we be bold like Athanasius. May we hold fast to truth, even if we stand alone.