g. Arius and Athanasius

Arius and AthanasiusFrom the beginning of the Church the question was reflected upon, whether Jesus God and man at the same time, or only God or only man. Was the Son subordinate to the Father or were they equal? Often these reflections lead to discussions and conflicts. Arius, a deacon from Alexandria, taught that Jesus was not the equal of God, but one of God's creatures. The Son was subordinate to the Father in his opinion A council lead by Alexander Patriarch of Alexandria, condemned him, but he got a lot of support from other bishops. The emperor Constantine convened in 325 a Council in Nicea, to solve the question. Athanasius, the main supporter of Alexander, and his successor, was an important spokesman of the Catholics, those people who believed in the Trinity: Father and Son were equal. Arius was condemned at this Council, and Athanasius got the job to put the official doctrine into words: into a creed. The condemnation did not lead to peace in the church. The whole forth century conflicts between Arians and Catholics went on, especially because the emperors often (for political reasons) changed sides. Alternatively Arian and Catholic bischops were exiled. Athanasius also was exiled, a.o. to Treves. Many further councils were devoted to the question. St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, may have been a participant of one of them. In 381 a council was held in Constantinople, that confirmed the creed of Nicea, and emperor Theodosius, last emperor of the whole Roman empire, saw to it that the whole empire accepted it. Athanasius had already died at that time. Ambrose was now the leader of the Catholics, but he did not come from Egypt. Other peoples remained Arian for quite some time, e.g. the Goths, the Vandals, the Alans and the Lombards.

Theodosius made Christianity the state religion, and closed e.g., the temples of Isis. The temple of Philae, which since the construction of the Aswan dam is on the island Agilka, a well-known touristic attraction, remained open for another hundred years.

The Nicean creed as put into words by Athanasius is as follows:

"We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."

(Some people doubt whether this text is really from Athanasius).

The Apostolic creed, as we know it, has been put into words about 200 year after the Nicean creed. Clear indication of the conflict between Arians and Catholics have been removed from the text. They were not very important any more.