St. Athanasius was born around the year 295 in Alexandria, Egypt. A deacon and secretary to the bishop of Alexandria, he went to the Council of Nicea in 325. There he began a lifelong battle against the Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s divinity. He became the bishop of Alexandria around 328, and he spent about 17 years of his time as bishop in exile due to political issues surrounding the Arian heresy. St. Athanasius also fought for the recognition of the Nicene Creed. This confessor and doctor of the church died May 2, 373, in Alexandria.