St Athansius Part One

Part One
On the 7th day of the Coptic Month of Pashons we celebrate the life and struggles of the Patriarch St Athanasius the Apostolic. Part One, his Early Life.

St Pope Julius of Alexandria wrote about the strong and blessed St Athanasius thus, “If precious metals, such as gold and silver, are tried in the fire, what can we say of so great a man, who has been through so many perils and afflictions?”

Athanasius was born to pagan parents sometime between the year 295 - 298 A.D. When he was in school, there were Christian children acting the Christian rituals; some as priests, some as deacons and one of them as a bishop. Athanasius asked their permission to participate with them. “You are pagan,” they proclaimed, “and you are not allowed to mix with us." He responded, "I am from now on a Christian."

They rejoiced with him, and made him a patriarch over them in the play. They enthroned him on a high place, and offered him honor and respect. The archbishop of Alexandria (also known as “pope” or “abba”) witnessed this re-enactment by the children, “The baptism of the catechumens!" He exclaimed, "but this looks to be real!"

Quickly, he called a servant and told him to go down to the children and bring them to him. Summoned to appear before the authority, the children approached with some uneasiness, and intrepidation. The young Athanasius stepped to the front of the group.

"What were you doing down there on the shore?" asked the Patriarch.

Athanasius’ clear eyes looked at him with interest, but without a vestige of fear. “We were playing," he said. "It was the baptism of the catechumens. I was the bishop, and they"—pointing to his companions, “ were the catechumens."

"Are you a Christian?" asked Alexander.

"Yes," answered the boy proudly.

"And these?"

"Catechumens."

"What did you do?"

"I poured the water on them and said the words."

"What words?"

The boy repeated the formula in perfect Greek.

"Did you pour the water as you said the words?"

"Yes."

The Patriarch's face was troubled. "It is a dangerous game to play at," he said. "What would you say if I told you that you had really baptized them?"

The boy looked at him in amazement.

"But I am not a bishop," he said.

The Patriarch could not help smiling. “Although the bishop usually does baptize the catechumens," he said, "it is not necessary that it should be a bishop, not even necessary that it should be a priest."

The boy-bishop looked grave, his companions frightened, the Patriarch thoughtful.

"What would you like to be?" The Archpriest asked of the young Athanasius.

"A priest," was the prompt answer.

"A bishop perhaps?" asked Alexander with a smile, "you think it is an easy and a glorious life?"

The boy's eyes looked straight into the Patriarch's.

"The blessed Peter was a martyr," he answered.

"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. Later Pope Alexander wrote about Athanasius: "This child would be in a great position one day."

When Athanasius' father died, his mother brought him to Pope Alexander, who taught them the principles of the Christian faith and baptized them. They gave their money to the poor, and stayed with the Pope, who taught Athanasius the church subjects, ordained him deacon and made him a personal secretary.