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monasticism -- The so-called Athanasian Creed dates from well after
Athanasius's death and draws upon the phraseology of Augustine's De
trinitate {Note: The Athanasian Creed, was probably written by Vincent
of Lérins in about (475-525 A.D.) as a summary of Athanasius' works
and writings in the same way that the Apostles' Creed was earlier
written by Ambrose in about 390 A.D. as a summary of the Apostles
(N.T) works and writings.}
Athanasius is counted as one of the Great Doctors of the Church in Eastern Orthodoxy where he is also labeled the
"Father of Orthodoxy". He is also one of the four Great Doctors of the Church from the East in the Roman Catholic
Church. He is renowned in the Protestant churches, who label him "Father of The Canon". Athanasius is venerated
as a Christian saint, whose feast day is 2 May in Western Christianity, 15 May in the Coptic Orthodox Church, and
18 January in the other Eastern Orthodox churches. He is venerated by the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox, the
Roman Catholics, the Lutherans, and the Anglican Communion. ... Athanasius' letters include one "Letter
Concerning the Decrees of the Council of Nicaea" (De Decretis), which is an account of the proceedings of that
council, and another letter in the year 367 which was the first known listing of the New Testament including all
those books now accepted everywhere as the New Testament. (earlier similar lists vary by the omission or addition
of a few books, see Development of the New Testament canon). Several of his letters also survive. In one of these,
to Epictetus of Corinth, Athanasius anticipates future controversies in his defense of the humanity of Christ.
Another of his letters, to Dracontius, urges that monk to leave the desert for the more active duties of a bishop.
There are several other works ascribed to him, although not necessarily generally accepted as being his own work.
These include the Athanasian creed, which is today generally seen as being of 5th-century Galician origin.
Athanasius was not what would be called a speculative theologian. As he stated in his First Letters to Serapion, he
held on to "the tradition, teaching, and faith proclaimed by the apostles and guarded by the fathers." In some cases,
this led to his taking the position that faith should take priority over reason. He held that not only was the Son of
God consubstantial with the Father, but so was the Holy Spirit, which had a great deal of influence in the
development of later doctrines regarding the Trinity.
Wikipedia: Ambrose - Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as
Saint Ambrose (337 - 4 April 397), was a bishop of Milan who became
one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century -
He was one of the four original doctors (of particular importance) of
the Roman Catholic Church - In spite of Imperial opposition, Bishop
Ambrose declared: "If you demand my person, I am ready to submit:
carry me to prison or to death, I will not resist; but I will never betray
the Church of Christ. I will not call upon the people to succour me; I
will die at the foot of the altar rather than desert it. The tumult of the
people I will not encourage: but God alone can appease it." - Soon after
acquiring the undisputed possession of the Roman empire, Theodosius
died at Milan in 395, and two years later (April 4, 397) Ambrose also
died - He was succeeded as bishop of Milan by Simplician - Ambrose's
body may still be viewed in the church of S. Ambrogio in Milan, where
it has been continuously venerated - along with the bodies identified in
his time as being those of St. Gervase and St. Protase - and is one of
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