The Monastic Letters of St Athanasius the Great

De: Saint Athanasius

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 120
Scholars have often concentrated on the theological writings of St Athanasius (c. 296-373 AD) and on his influence as a religious leader, so that his contribution to the monastic life has not received due recognition. In these six letters addressed to monks, Athanasius is revealed as a wise spiritual guide and loving pastor, determined that the monks should receive sound teaching, so as to avoid the pitfalls of heresies current at that time. As Leslie Barnard notes in his Introduction, ‘The permanent significance of these letters lies in their wisdom, moderation and balance.’ Saint Athanasius (c. 295 - 373), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, was born in Alexandria of Christian parents. After successful studies, he spent time in the desert in retreat with Saint Antony the Great. In 325, he attended as a deacon the Council of Nicea, where his influence began to be felt. He was elected Archbishop of Alexandria in 328, but seventeen of the forty-six years of his episcopate were spent in exile, due to his active and ruthless stand against the heretical teachings of Arius. His extant writings include a ‘Life’ of Saint Antony and treatises on Christian dogma.

After service in the Second World War, Leslie William Barnard (1924-2016) graduated from St Catherine’s College, Oxford, in 1948 with a degree in Theology. He was ordained in the 1950s and served a number of parishes. He undertook a PhD in Patristic studies at Southampton University, and in 1968 was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Leeds. In retirement, Leslie wrote a series of three biographies of eighteenth century bishops who were, like himself, Patristic scholars: John Potter (1989), Thomas Secker (1998), and Thomas Herring (2005).