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Our father among the saints '''Athanasius of Alexandria''' (also spelled "Athanasios") was a bishop of Alexandria and major theological writer in the fourth century. He is also called '''Athanasius the Great''' and '''St. Athanasius the Apostolic'''. He was born in 298 and died on [[May 2]], 373. His [[feast day]] in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[January 18]].

== Life ==

He was born to pagan parents. When he was in school he saw a group of Christians acting out services and when he asked to join them, they refused. From then on he declared himself Christian. The Patriarch at that time, Pope Alexander, predicted that he would eventually hold a great position.

[[Image:StAthanasiusShrineinStMarkCathedralCairo.jpg|thumb|St. Athanasius Shrine (where the saint's [[relics]] are preserved) under St. Mark's Cathedral, Cairo]] The [[saint]] was originally buried in Alexandria. His holy body was later transferred to Italy. H.H. [[Pope]] [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Shenouda III]] restored the [[relics]] of St. Athanasius to Egypt on [[May 15|15 May]] 1973 [http://www.avarewase.org/en/map/athanas.htm], after his historical visit to the Vatican and meeting with H.H. Pope Paul VI. The relics of St. Athanasius the Great of Alexandria are currently preserved under the new St. [[Apostle Mark|Mark]] [[Coptic]] Orthodox Cathedral in Deir El-Anba Rowais, Abbassiya, Cairo, Egypt.

The following is a [[troparion]] (hymn) to St. Athanasius sung in some Orthodox churches:

: ''O holy father Athanasius,