Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Exiled.

 Yes, that is essentially accurate. Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373), one of the most important defenders of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism, was exiled multiple times by different emperors. Here is a more detailed breakdown of his exiles:

  1. Exiled by Constantine (335–337) – At the Council of Tyre in 335, Athanasius was accused of various charges, including obstructing grain shipments to Constantinople. Emperor Constantine exiled him to Trier (modern Germany). However, after Constantine's death in 337, his son Constans allowed Athanasius to return.

  2. Exiled by Constantius II (339–346) – Constantius II, who favored Arianism, opposed Athanasius. In 339, he deposed Athanasius and installed the Arian bishop Gregory of Cappadocia in Alexandria. Athanasius fled to Rome, where he found support from Pope Julius I. He was later restored in 346.

  3. Exiled by Constantius II (356–362) – Under increasing Arian influence, Constantius II exiled Athanasius again in 356. He fled into the Egyptian desert, where he stayed among the monks and continued writing against Arianism.

  4. Exiled by Julian the Apostate (362–363) – Julian, seeking to weaken the Christian church, allowed many exiled bishops to return, including Athanasius. However, after seeing Athanasius' influence in strengthening Nicene Christianity, Julian exiled him again in 362. Athanasius withdrew briefly but returned after Julian's death in 363.

  5. Exiled by Valens (365–366) – Emperor Valens, an Arian sympathizer, ordered Athanasius' removal again in 365. Athanasius hid for a few months but was allowed to return in 366, spending the rest of his life in Alexandria until his death in 373.

In total, Athanasius was exiled five times over his lifetime, spending roughly 17 years in exile out of his 45-year tenure as bishop of Alexandria. His steadfast opposition to Arianism earned him the title Athanasius contra mundum ("Athanasius against the world").