We cite the Nicene Creed every time we attend Mass. But many Catholics do not seem to know much about how this important Creed came about from the Nicene Council, 325 AD. And it seems that only a small number of Catholics know that the Nicene Council was convened by Emperor Constantine to resolve the Arian controversy to preserve the ecumenical unity of the Church and the Christendom.
At the Nicene Council, though it learned toward the
Arius’ heretical Christology, in which the divinity of Christ the Son was
denied, because the Son is “different” from the Father and the Holy Spirit, as
well. This view of Arius seemed to be an extreme counter-reaction to the heresy
of the Sabellianism (modalism), which denies the distinctness of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, thanks to the efforts of Alexander, the predecessor
of Athanasius, at the council, the Arianism was found to be another heresy, and
Arius was excommunicated. Nevertheless, the Arian heresy remained strong and
continued to threat the orthodoxy of the Nicene Creed and the Church.
Having succeeding a great apologist of the authentic Christology,
Alexander, Athanasius became Bishop of Alexandria in 328. And he continued to
fight against the growing popularity of the Arian heresy. But this resulted in
persecution against himself. For his defense of the authentic Christology and
the legitimacy of the Nicene Creed, especially on the consubstantiality of the
Father and the Son, which Arius denied, Athanasius was falsely accused by
powerful and influential supporters of the Arian heretic doctrine. Because of
this, Athanasius had to leave
Alexandria, moving from place to place, until it became safe enough to
return.
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St. Athanasius reminds us that not only following
Christ but defending the authenticity of his teaching may result in persecution
not only by the secular worldly power but also by even by fellow Christians –
heretic Christians and those who uphold a popular heresy in the Church.
If you raise a doctrinal or theological question on
what has been popular in the Church, you may be treated as Athanasius was
treated by fellow Christians – even by some priests and bishops.
Today’s Church is divided by various ideologies. But
these are not just ideologies. Many of these controversial ideologies touch on
our Scriptures and the doctrine. Some bishops, priests, and theologians espouse
heretical ideologies, with their authorities.
In response, many seem not to raise issues for the
sake of “tolerance” and “unity”. But, some, though small in the number, stand
up to uphold “ad fontes” of the Vatican II Council principle, to fight
against heretical or misleading teaching on the other Vatican II principle, “aggiornamento”
.
Where do you stand on this reality of today’s Church? How do you place St.
Athanasius in this reality of the Church today?
Remember, St. Athanasius of Alexandria:
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him with the spirit of
wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory, alleluia. Entrance Antiphon (cf. Ben Sirach 15:5)
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