Athanasius was born around 293 in the culturally diverse city of Alexandria, Egypt.  As a young child, Bishop Alexander observed Athanasius imitating the sacrament of Baptism with his friends.

Later, the bishop would invite a well-educated and cultured Athanasius to be his secretary. At the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), Athanasius argued intensely against the denial of Christ’s Divinity, a growing viewpoint led by Arius.

Athanasius would become bishop, and his defense of the Incarnation would cause his frequent exile as the Roman Emperor was influenced by Arianism.  He was eventually found innocent of all allegations that were used to justify his banishments.

Athanasius was the first to identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that are in use today.