Articles

A Copt’s Life in the Midst of Persecution & Victory in Christ Jesus:

Athanasius of Alexandria (c 295-373 AD)

A Portrait of Courage, Steadfastness, Fidelity and Wisdom 

by Ed Rizkalla

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Heb 13.8 

“Iycouc Pi,rictoc `ncaf nem voou @ `ncof `ncov pe@ nem sa `eneh”                    

“يسوع المسيح هو هو الامس واليوم والي الابد”      

The Christians of Egypt, the Copts, observe the departure of one of the most outstanding Copts of all ages,  and a valiant defender of the truth of the ONE Triune God of all creation and the Christian faith, Athanasius of Alexandria, on Pashon (a.k.a. Bashans) 7th, 1726 AM, or May 15th, 2010 AD. Saint Athanasius the Apostolic was the 20th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He is a well-respected Father and Doctor of the universal Church both in the East and the West.

However, as the Copts continue to face persecution at present in their own land Egypt at the hands of Islamist groups and their supporters in the Egyptian State agencies, so it was in Athanasius’ time persecution against the Copts in their own land Egypt at the hands of the pagans, heretics and their supporters in the imperial court at Constantinople. Satan (عدو الخير), the enemy of all goodness, always seeks to subvert the truth of God, faith in his love and salvation for all mankind through Jesus Christ. In the 4th century AD, the enemy of all goodness fomented lies to beguile the believers, and blinded some to follow heretic beliefs. The Arian heresy, which denies the divinity of Christ the Lord, spread throughout the Byzantine Empire and found adherents among some bishops and at the imperial court. Athanasius spent his life defending the true and orthodox faith in Christ, and incurred the wrath of the heretics, their supporters, and several Emperors. Many throughout both the East and West, including some friends and believers, denounced him and acquiesced to the Arian heresy, however Athanasius was a true soldier of Christ Jesus. He spent his life teaching, preaching, and admonishing from the pulpit and in writing to explain the orthodox Christian faith, and the falsehood of the Arian heresy. The Coptic Orthodox Church’s book of the Synaxarium (1) indicates that Saint Athanasius was exiled five times. It also notes “For his steadfastness and his firm stand for justice, the world described him by the saying: “Athanasius against the world”. Readers not familiar with the life of Saint Athanasius may want to refer to some brief outlines for his life, e.g. (1), (2), and (3).

The life of Saint Athanasius provides a portrait for a Copt’s life in the midst of persecution. It is a portrait of Coptic courage, fidelity, steadfastness, and wisdom. It also illustrates that faith, hope, and fidelity to Christ never disappoint, and with patience lead to ultimate victory. Athanasius’ writings continue to inspire and edify in our day and age, as they have done over the centuries. Athanasius was a prolific writer, whose writings and letters span decades. As the bishop of Alexandria, a city which (2) “was the most important center of trade in the whole empire; and its primacy as an emporium of ideas was more commanding than that of Rome or Constantinople, Antioch or Marseilles.”, he was entrusted by the universal Church to determine the date of celebrating Easter. Athanasius’ Festal letters (4) provide the date for the Easter to other Churches, as well as address many important topics and issues regarding the Christian faith. Among his well-known festal letters is letter XXXIX, in which he, guided by the Holy Spirit, delineated the Canonical books of the of the Holy Bible, of both the Old and New Testaments, as well as books not included in the Canon but appointed by the Fathers as useful for admonition and instruction.

The following excerpts from his festal letters address the very notion and concept life, feasts (or holidays) and joy in our human experience. Though his writing dates back to the 4th century AD, it remains valuable for our modern times, as people continue to grapple with the notions of life and seek fulfillment and happiness, however most often than not, might experience material bliss but alas not the  joy. In letter II for Easter 330 AD, Athanasius addresses the notions of life stating “For there is no fellowship between the words of the saints, and the fancies of human invention; for the saints are the ministers of the truth, preaching the kingdom of heaven; but those who are borne in an opposite direction, having nothing better than to eat, and think their end is that they shall cease to exist, while they say, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Then in his letter III for Easter 331 AD, Athanasius provides the Christian answer for the notions of feasts and experiencing joy in life, noting “For what is the feast, but the service of the soul? And what else is that service, but prolonged prayer to God, and unceasing thanksgiving? The unthankful having put these far from them, consequently also rightly deprive themselves of the joy springing there from; for joy and gladness are taken from their mouth.” In his letter III, Athanasius alludes to some of the difficulties he has experienced; however regardless of these difficulties he advocates the energetic pursuit of life in its fullness, to serve God and mankind. Thus he states “For although we have been held under restraint by those who afflict us…yet thanks be to God, who comforts the afflicted, that we have not been put to silence, as though overcome by the wickedness of our accusers; but obeying the voice of truth……As therefore he who withholds corn in seed-time is accursed, according to the divine proverb; so he who is careless about grace, and hides it without culture, is properly cast out as a wicked and unthankful person. On this account, he praises those who increased [their talents], saying, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful in a little, I will place thee over much; enter into the joy of thy Lord.”