- St. Athanasius
Athanasius was the bishop of Alexandria from 328 until his death in 373.
He lived at a time when the heresy of an Alexandrian priest named Arius was widespread. Arianism maintained that the Son of God was created by god, and used as an instrument for the creation of the world. The famous phrase of the Arians was, "There was a time when he was not." Jesus, therefore, was not God by nature, but a created being who had the dignity of "Son of God" bestowed on him.
Athansius helped lead the fight against Arianism and participated in the Council of Nicaea which formulated the familiar creed used at Mass.
Athanasius' strong opposition to Arianism earned him many enemies. Three times he was exiled, the last of which lasted for six years, from February 9, 356, to February 21, 362.
On this day in 362, Athanasius returned to Alexandria from that final exile.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw