Hierarch · c. 296–373
Athanasius the Great
Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria
New Calendar January 18 Old Calendar January 31
Why they are a saint
Athanasius the Great was chief defender of the Nicene faith against Arianism; repeatedly exiled from his see. His Life of Anthony shaped monasticism in East and West. The years given for this life are c. 296–373. Orthodox Christians remember him as a hierarch who kept the apostolic faith in his see.
Life
Saint Athanasius took part in the First Ecumenical Council while still a deacon, and surpassed all in his zeal for the teaching that Christ is of one essence (homoousios) with the Father, and not a creature, as the Arians proclaimed.
As Archbishop of Alexandria he spent most of his life in exile from his see because of the plotting of his enemies. He returned to his flock near the end of his life and reposed in 373. He is commemorated together with Saint Cyril of Alexandria on January 18, and the transfer of his relics is remembered on May 2.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for Orthodox doctrine / anti-Arian confession (Great of Alexandria). The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Athanasius the Great, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Athanasius of Athos; Athanasius of Brest; many later Athanasiuses.