Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Oct 6, 2026 · 3 hr 10 min · 39 segments
"Saint Athanasius The Father of Orthodoxy" by Frances Alice Forbes delves into the life and contributions of Saint Athanasius, a pivotal figure in the establishment of Christian orthodoxy. This…
"You need much learning to be a priest." "I love learning," said the boy.
Alexander noted the broad, intelligent brow, the keen eyes, and the clear-cut face before him.
His heart went out to this frank and fearless lad who loved the martyrs.
"Come to me this evening and we will talk of this," he said, for his guests were at last to be seen approaching and his duty lay with them.
That evening, the boy and the patriarch had much to say to each other as they walked under the palm trees in the garden of the episcopal palace.
Alexander learned how Athanasius had been brought up in the Christian faith under the shadow of the great persecution, among those who counted it the highest honor to shed their blood for Christ.
He had been well taught in the famous Greek schools of Alexandria and was full of enthusiasm for the great Greek philosophers and poets.
Strong of will, noble of heart, and keen of intellect, the boy was born to something great.
Of that, the patriarch felt assured.
The church had need of such men as these in troubled times when the dangers of heresy had succeeded those of persecution.
Alexander at once resolved to take Athanasius into his own household and to bring him up as his own son, an inspiration for which he was often to thank God in years to come.
The boy soon grew to love the gentle and holy patriarch, who would act with such strength and decision when it was needful for the good of the church.
He was constantly in touch with men of every rank and country, for Alexandria was a city where people of all nations and all creeds met.
There even existed a set of philosophers who tried to make a religion for themselves out of an amalgamation of several others.
Athanasius was still very young when he began to act as secretary to the patriarch, accompanying him on all his journeys throughout his vast diocese, and he himself tells us how he stayed for a time among the monks in the desert of Egypt and how his young soul was set on fire by the holiness of their lives.
Neither science, nor logic, nor philosophy offered any difficulty to the brilliant young scholar whose knowledge of scripture and theology was to astonish the men of his time.
Alexander himself, as he grew older, leaned more and more upon Athanasius, consulting him, young as he was, on the most important matters.
So the years rolled on and the boy grew into manhood, gentle and strong as we are told by one who knew him, high in prowess, humble in spirit, full of sympathy, angelic in mind and face.
That he would make a mark on the world of his time, few who knew him doubted.
But of the dauntless soldier spirit that slumbered behind that gentle mien, of the steadfast will that no human power could shake, they knew but little.
God's moment had not yet come.
End of chapter one of Saint Athanasius, The Father of Orthodoxy.
"You need much learning to be a priest." "I love learning," said the boy.
Alexander noted the broad, intelligent brow, the keen eyes, and the clear-cut face before him.
His heart went out to this frank and fearless lad who loved the martyrs.
"Come to me this evening and we will talk of this," he said, for his guests were at last to be seen approaching and his duty lay with them.
That evening, the boy and the patriarch had much to say to each other as they walked under the palm trees in the garden of the episcopal palace.
Alexander learned how Athanasius had been brought up in the Christian faith under the shadow of the great persecution, among those who counted it the highest honor to shed their blood for Christ.
He had been well taught in the famous Greek schools of Alexandria and was full of enthusiasm for the great Greek philosophers and poets.
Strong of will, noble of heart, and keen of intellect, the boy was born to something great.
Of that, the patriarch felt assured.
The church had need of such men as these in troubled times when the dangers of heresy had succeeded those of persecution.
Alexander at once resolved to take Athanasius into his own household and to bring him up as his own son, an inspiration for which he was often to thank God in years to come.
The boy soon grew to love the gentle and holy patriarch, who would act with such strength and decision when it was needful for the good of the church.
He was constantly in touch with men of every rank and country, for Alexandria was a city where people of all nations and all creeds met.
There even existed a set of philosophers who tried to make a religion for themselves out of an amalgamation of several others.
Athanasius was still very young when he began to act as secretary to the patriarch, accompanying him on all his journeys throughout his vast diocese, and he himself tells us how he stayed for a time among the monks in the desert of Egypt and how his young soul was set on fire by the holiness of their lives.
Neither science, nor logic, nor philosophy offered any difficulty to the brilliant young scholar whose knowledge of scripture and theology was to astonish the men of his time.
Alexander himself, as he grew older, leaned more and more upon Athanasius, consulting him, young as he was, on the most important matters.
So the years rolled on and the boy grew into manhood, gentle and strong as we are told by one who knew him, high in prowess, humble in spirit, full of sympathy, angelic in mind and face.
That he would make a mark on the world of his time, few who knew him doubted.
But of the dauntless soldier spirit that slumbered behind that gentle mien, of the steadfast will that no human power could shake, they knew but little.
God's moment had not yet come.
End of chapter one of Saint Athanasius, The Father of Orthodoxy.
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