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.
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.