Times & Tribulations of St Athanasius – May 02 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence
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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on May 02, 2023, memorial of St Athanasius, on how he had to battle against the heresy of Arianism that denied the divinity of Christ and had to do this almost alone against many other bishops and even the emperor. He earned the moniker "Athanasius against the world".
Saint Athanasius, born in Alexandria, Egypt around 297, was a defender of the faith against the heresy of Arianism. In his lifetime, he became a deacon, and later bishop of Alexandria. Athanasius was instrumental in the First Council of Nicaea in 325, where the true faith was professed, stating the Son is consubstantial with the Father (John 10:30 - I and the Father are one - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?30).
Throughout his life, Athanasius was exiled five times due to false accusations and his refusal to compromise with heresy. He wrote three discourses against the Arians, earning him the title of Doctor of the Church. Saint Athanasius also held a deep love for Our Lady, referring to her as Theotokos, the Mother of God (Luke 1:43 - Elizabeth calls Mary the mother of her Lord - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?43), which contributed to the definition of the Divine Maternity as a dogma.
00:00 – Introduction
00:07 – Saint Athanasius's Birth and Background
01:01 – Athanasius's Name and Significance
01:32 – The Arianism Heresy and its Spread
02:04 – Arian Theories and their Implications
02:30 – Saint Athanasius Becomes a Deacon
02:46 – The First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea
03:12 – Arianism's Persistence and Struggles
03:40 – Athanasius Becomes Bishop of Alexandria
04:12 – Athanasius's Characteristics and Abilities
04:45 – Exile and Calumnies Against Athanasius
06:39 – Arian Bishops and Consequences
07:00 – Athanasius's Writings and Doctor of the Church
07:24 – Athanasius's Love for Our Lady and the Theotokos
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Athanasius - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=336
Readings: Tuesday 4th Week of Easter - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050223.cfm
1st: act 11:19-26
Resp: psa 87:1-7
Gsp: joh 10:22-30
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1067&r=1709
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and YouTube: https://youtu.be/EKFY0drlSi8
