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May 2nd: Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Gospel text
Mt 10,22-25a
Mt 10,22-25a
Jesus said to his disciples, «Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next».
Gospel's Commentary
Today we celebrate St. Athanasius (Alexandria, Egypt), one of the most important Fathers of the Church. As a youngster he joined the Council of Nicaea (325), the first one of the Ecumenical Councils. It was there where the “Creed” we recite at the Mass on holidays, originated. At that time, the Alexandrian presbyter Arius was spreading his doctrine which pretended that Christ was not truly God, but an intermediate being between God and man. The Council of Nicaea asserted that the Son is Fully God; wholly divine.
—Athanasius —Bishop of Alexandria from the year 328— had to flee five times from his city; suffering because of his faith, spent up to seventeen years in exile.