On This Day

Athanasius is elected Patriarch bishop of Alexandria

Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the...

Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Church Father, the chief proponent of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian Christian leader of the fourth century.

Conflict with Arius and Arianism, as well as with successive Roman emperors, shaped Athanasius' career.

Historical Significance

Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I).

Events Before

  1. BC Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great

    The Battle of the Echinades was one of the naval battles of the Lamian War (323–322 BC), fought between the Macedonian navy under Cleitus the White and the Athenian navy.

  2. Battle of Adrianople: Roman Emperor Constantine I defeats his co-emperor Licinius, who flees to Byzantium

    Valerius Licinianus Licinius was Roman emperor from 308 to 324. For most of his reign, he was the colleague and rival of Constantine I, with whom he co-authored the Edict of Milan that granted...

  3. Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor.

    Martinian (Latin: Martinianus; died 325) was Roman emperor from July to September 324.

  4. Old St. Peter's Basilica consecrated in Rome (stood 4th - 16th century), later replaced by current Basilica

    Old St. Peter's Basilica consecrated in Rome (stood 4th - 16th century), later replaced by current Basilica

Events After

  1. Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Ea

    Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire

  2. BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela

    BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela

  3. BC Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus

    The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.

  4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre is consecrated in Jerusalem

    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, is a fourth-century church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

  5. St Mark is elected Pope

    Pope Mark (Latin: Marcus) was the bishop of Rome from 18 January to his death on 7 October 336. Little is known of Mark's early life.

More from the 320s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 9, 328?
Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Church Father, the chief proponent of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian Christian leader of the fourth century.
Why is Athanasius is elected Patriarch bishop of Alexandria significant?
Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I).

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