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Standard-Bearers of the Faith
Saint Athanasius: The Father of Orthodoxy
As a young cleric, he was present at the Council of Nicea (325), and though he did not want to be bishop, none was found better suited for the job. He fought the Arian Heresy through every vicissitude and finally triumphed for orthodoxy. Here is a popular biography for young and old of the Saint who is called "The Champion of Orthodoxy." .The famous Athanasian Creed is named after him. Impr. 116 pgs 3 Illus, PB
116 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1919
108 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
F.A. Forbes
75 books21 followersF. A. Forbes (16 March 1869 – 1936) was the nom de plume of Mother Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart from Scotland and a religious author.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 26, 2024
Short, readable, but not scholarly, and probably somewhat fictionalized account of Athanasius and his fight against the Arians.
May 10, 2012
While the major events in the life of Athanasius are presented, the reader should note that this book is more historical fiction than a true biography. It is probably not necessary to state this, as it will be evident upon reading the first few pages, what with their too-good-to-be-true tale of the boy Athanasius running around the streets of Alexandria, pretending to be the bishop as he play baptizes his companions pretending to be the catechumens, with the aged Patriarch Alexander looking on in portending gaze.
For what it's worth, though, it is a quick and easy read for anyone who wants to get to know Athanasius of Alexandria better.
For what it's worth, though, it is a quick and easy read for anyone who wants to get to know Athanasius of Alexandria better.
August 7, 2024
Impressive life story but wish the book focused more looking at the Nicene episode to understand the main reason why he was so persecuted by Arius and co.
May 14, 2018
A short but inspiring account of the life of Athanasius. I knew something of his life before reading this, now the story has been fleshed out. This is written in an accessible style and also provides helpful context about the Arian heresy and the origins of the Nicene Creed. A great summary of Athanasius' character and witness is found at the end of the book: "He was a living example of the truth that a man may be large-minded and yet strong; that he may hate error, yet love the erring - stand like a rock against heresy, yet be full of compassion for heretics".
February 9, 2013
It is a religious look at the time in Rome when many of the thoughts of the day were varying from a belief in the one true God. A picture of the one true God without a begotten Son within his being. Also all the thoughts of the former ways of Rome and the pantheon of gods, who formerly years earlier were the staple of Roman life.
I thought that the man Athanasius is a venerable man highly to have a life worth seeking after in the front of men who took religion very lightly, though very seriously in their own way, to hold to the truth as taught by the men first next to the Christ.
It was interesting to see how the Empire at this time looked at this man and the men that surrounded him because of their beliefs and upbringing. Julian, the Apostate, a man who sought to bring the empire back under the old way of Rome before Constantine, was first a better solution for the freedom that he gave the Christians than his cousin, Constantius, who tried to destroy Athanasius at every turn for his beliefs.
The time of Arianism was truly a time to stand for the faith of Jesus Christ or a time to fall by the wayside into Heresy of the highest order, but the truly wonderful thing in this book is the way one man showed so much compassion to the very people who were weak and enemies until the end.
I thought that the man Athanasius is a venerable man highly to have a life worth seeking after in the front of men who took religion very lightly, though very seriously in their own way, to hold to the truth as taught by the men first next to the Christ.
It was interesting to see how the Empire at this time looked at this man and the men that surrounded him because of their beliefs and upbringing. Julian, the Apostate, a man who sought to bring the empire back under the old way of Rome before Constantine, was first a better solution for the freedom that he gave the Christians than his cousin, Constantius, who tried to destroy Athanasius at every turn for his beliefs.
The time of Arianism was truly a time to stand for the faith of Jesus Christ or a time to fall by the wayside into Heresy of the highest order, but the truly wonderful thing in this book is the way one man showed so much compassion to the very people who were weak and enemies until the end.
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March 2, 2013A biography of Athanasius of Alexandria, a theologian from the 3rd century. I can't vouch for the author's reliability or the accuracy of this particular work, but I found it an enjoyable and engaging read.
March 8, 2015
I love this book. It is easy to read and packed with soul stirring info. I believe that should be required reading for every Christian. Without his obedience who knows what lies would of seeped in.
January 14, 2023
A good introduction to the life of a venerable church father. Certainly suitable for younger readers.
July 25, 2021
While certainly entertaining, it is quite a fantastical approach to the great Athanasius. While there are well-recorded truths within, ones easily verified by other historical accounts, there are things quite unreal contained within. Those truths, sprinkled throughout this work serve to appreciate his life and ministry more and it gives credence to why the Athanasian Creed was given his namesake, as he truly was a soldier for orthodoxy and suffered to hold the Divinity of Christ above all things.
June 19, 2019
Brief overview of the life of Athanasius written as a narrative with a mix of creative license and quotes from documents. It reads like a story, providing dates and names and events to learn more about later if you want to do that. I learned some new things without having to plow through a lot of dry material written for academics. And that is exactly what I wanted to do!
July 22, 2020
A must read about a true man of God.
Wow I just finished this incredible biography. He stood for truth under such circumstances that most would have given up. Athanasius Truly Loved God!I
Truly fought for The Truth of scriptures. Persecuted by apostates who he refused to let them destroy orthodoxy.
The author F.A. Forbes did a masterful job.
Wow I just finished this incredible biography. He stood for truth under such circumstances that most would have given up. Athanasius Truly Loved God!I
Truly fought for The Truth of scriptures. Persecuted by apostates who he refused to let them destroy orthodoxy.
The author F.A. Forbes did a masterful job.
January 9, 2025
Would love to read a more historical, in depth account of his life. This man was like Batman against the Arian heresy.
“The Arians had the Roman Emperor on their side, but the pen of Athanasius was more powerful than the armies of Constantius.”
Legend
“The Arians had the Roman Emperor on their side, but the pen of Athanasius was more powerful than the armies of Constantius.”
Legend
July 13, 2017
Very well written, interesting and informing.
September 2, 2017
Gran biografía
Un libro breve pero sustancioso. Perfecto para todo aquel que necesita un cuadro inmediato de este gran líder de la Iglesia.
Un libro breve pero sustancioso. Perfecto para todo aquel que necesita un cuadro inmediato de este gran líder de la Iglesia.
May 22, 2018
Very typical writing for the age in which it was written but a good general overview of Anthanasius' life.
June 22, 2020
A nice little biography of St. Athanasius, which chronicles much of the Arian controversy.
June 29, 2020
A persistent, well-loved man who stood up for his faith, repeatedly upholding the truths of the Nicene Creed to all on numerous attacks by the Arians who denied that Christ is God.
August 2, 2021
A nice history of a prayer
I liked it . it was short and rich with a field of great people to learn from. I think it's was great.
I liked it . it was short and rich with a field of great people to learn from. I think it's was great.
December 2, 2021
This is a great intro to Athanasius. This is the book that sparked many other reads on the early church fathers and how orthodoxy came to be.
October 13, 2024
While not a scholarly account of St Athanasius (C.295–373), it is a good grounding for one to hear about the Saint of the Orthodoxy that bears his name.
The Student's Companion to the Theologians, 2009 - Wiley Online Library further stated : Athanasius was dethroned because Emperor Julian could not stand Athanasius’ aggressive stance against “Arians. ». One thinks that Justinian was the best leader at Constantinople, but maybe there is a story behind the story.
More research to come.
The Student's Companion to the Theologians, 2009 - Wiley Online Library further stated : Athanasius was dethroned because Emperor Julian could not stand Athanasius’ aggressive stance against “Arians. ». One thinks that Justinian was the best leader at Constantinople, but maybe there is a story behind the story.
More research to come.
August 30, 2016
This is a short biography about Athanasius of Alexandria, a 4th century Egyptian bishop famous for his articulation and defense of the deity of Christ. His resolve to cling to this doctrine no matter the cost, his peace in the face of persecution, his sharp mind, and his love for the people of Aelxandria make for a great and even inspirational story.
The book also shows the serious error of marrying church and state. The early 4th century churches, exasperated from pagan-rule persecution, were desperate accepted Constantine as Christian and tied in state approval with church authority. This is what gave us the Council of Nicea (at which the young Athanasius, not even a bishop, made his famous debut). Although we are grateful for the articulation of Jesus' divinity found in the resulting creed, it is unfortunate that it was a council presided over by an emperor. The results were predictable. If you use an impressionable emperor to enforce good theology, someone else will use him to enforce bad theology. This is not pointed out in the book, because it is written from a Romanist perspective. Because of that, expect some goofy story lines and miracles that sound more like historical fiction than non-fiction
Another thing that I found fascinating in this book was Athanasius' reputation for evangelism. The pagan emperor Julian called him the enemy of the gods, and also said that if he stayed there, there would not be one pagan left in the whole city.
There are many things that we should not try to mimic from Athanasius' life. But one thing is certain: if we would take equal care to articulate the historic doctrines of the faith that he did in articulating Christ's deity, and if we had the same level of commitment to teach people those doctrines, and if we were willing to go through what Athanasius went through in confessing those doctrines, God's people would be greatly blessed.
"If the world is against Athanasius, then Athanasius is against the world." - Athanasius of Alexandria
The book also shows the serious error of marrying church and state. The early 4th century churches, exasperated from pagan-rule persecution, were desperate accepted Constantine as Christian and tied in state approval with church authority. This is what gave us the Council of Nicea (at which the young Athanasius, not even a bishop, made his famous debut). Although we are grateful for the articulation of Jesus' divinity found in the resulting creed, it is unfortunate that it was a council presided over by an emperor. The results were predictable. If you use an impressionable emperor to enforce good theology, someone else will use him to enforce bad theology. This is not pointed out in the book, because it is written from a Romanist perspective. Because of that, expect some goofy story lines and miracles that sound more like historical fiction than non-fiction
Another thing that I found fascinating in this book was Athanasius' reputation for evangelism. The pagan emperor Julian called him the enemy of the gods, and also said that if he stayed there, there would not be one pagan left in the whole city.
There are many things that we should not try to mimic from Athanasius' life. But one thing is certain: if we would take equal care to articulate the historic doctrines of the faith that he did in articulating Christ's deity, and if we had the same level of commitment to teach people those doctrines, and if we were willing to go through what Athanasius went through in confessing those doctrines, God's people would be greatly blessed.
"If the world is against Athanasius, then Athanasius is against the world." - Athanasius of Alexandria
March 10, 2025
🖊️ In this book, not only do we get a biography of Saint Athanasius, we also get a basic background on the Nicene Creed and the political in-fighting surrounding it that concerned the wording of the Creed, the split between the Eastern and Latin Churches, and Saint Athanasius himself. Greatly educational and fascinating biography on one of the Church’s important saints. It was so captivating, I read it one evening straight through. This was worth reading!
I learned much by reading this book, and it was enjoyable.
Note about the authoress: F. A. Forbes (1869–1936) was the nom de plume of Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She was born in Scotland as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. A short time later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant. From there, she wrote many religious biographies, most famously one about Pope Saint Pius X.
📕 Published — 1919. In the public domain.
જ⁀ 🍋 Read on Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.
༺✲༅✲༻༒༺✲༄༅✲༻
I learned much by reading this book, and it was enjoyable.
Note about the authoress: F. A. Forbes (1869–1936) was the nom de plume of Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She was born in Scotland as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. A short time later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant. From there, she wrote many religious biographies, most famously one about Pope Saint Pius X.
📕 Published — 1919. In the public domain.
જ⁀ 🍋 Read on Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.
༺✲༅✲༻༒༺✲༄༅✲༻
August 7, 2014
Saint Athanasius
Clear and concise. F.A. Forbes, tells of an array of intriguing slices in the full life of St. Euthanasia. The compelling details add to arousing the reader's curiosity and continual interests. St. Athanasius fascinates those readers who are seeking the one true faith which St. Athanasius preserved. May all readers of this excellent book be blessed, now and forevermore.
Clear and concise. F.A. Forbes, tells of an array of intriguing slices in the full life of St. Euthanasia. The compelling details add to arousing the reader's curiosity and continual interests. St. Athanasius fascinates those readers who are seeking the one true faith which St. Athanasius preserved. May all readers of this excellent book be blessed, now and forevermore.
June 3, 2019
The troubles St Athanasus experienced are not dissimilar to those of today. Doctrinal debates and heresy galore...with the threat of physical violence always present. This holy man was physically at the front and spiritually too. Heroic and courageous as well as wise are just a few of the virtues this saint exhibited. As the church is currently undergoing a similar passion, it is proper to ask St Athanasus to pray for us.
May 26, 2012
This account of the life of Athanasius is remarkable. It's highly readable, fast paced, and well structured. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Nicene Creed.
April 28, 2016
Great book
This book is a must for anyone wanting to learn about their Catholic faith. It is very informative and tells the story very well. It is the perfect book for people wanting to know about the Arian heresy or the beginnings of the Nicene creed.
This book is a must for anyone wanting to learn about their Catholic faith. It is very informative and tells the story very well. It is the perfect book for people wanting to know about the Arian heresy or the beginnings of the Nicene creed.
June 23, 2016
Great book! The tone is that of a historical-narrative, almost as if one is reading the pages of a LOTR novel. Father Athansius was a brilliant man, and every Christian is indebted to him in defending the holiness and truth of the Trinity against the heresiarch Arius.
May 26, 2012
Interesting history but not strongly spiritually moving.
October 31, 2013
Great little book that provides highlights from the life of Athanasius and the events surrounding the Nicene Creed.
October 25, 2014
This is a book you should read. I am biased a bit since I hold Athanasius in high regard but really, you should enjoy this short work on his life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews