From the Prologue of Ochrid
Athanasius was born in Alexandria in the year 296, and from his very childhood had an inclination for the spiritual calling. He was a deacon under Archbishop Alexander, and accompanied him to Nicaea to the First Ecumenical Council. At this Council Athanasius distinguished himself by his learning, piety and zeal for Orthodoxy. He contributed very much to the suppression of the Arian heresy and the establishment of Orthodoxy. He wrote the Symbol of Faith, which was adopted at the Council. After Alexander's death, Athanasius was elected Archbishop of Alexandria. He remained in the office of archbishop for over forty years, although not the entire time on the archiepiscopal throne. Nearly his whole life he was persecuted by heretics. Of the emperors, he was most persecuted by: Constantius, Julian and Valens; of the bishops by Eusebius of Nicomedia, along with many others; and of the heretics by Arius and his followers. He was forced to hide from his persecutors even in a well, in a tomb, in private houses, in deserts. Twice he was forced to flee to Rome. Only before death did he live for a time peacefully as the good shepherd in the midst of his good flock, which truly loved him. Few are the saints who were so ruthlessly slandered and so criminally persecuted as Saint Athanasius. But his great soul patiently endured everything for the love of Christ and finally emerged victorious from all that terrible and prolonged struggle. For counsel, comfort and moral support he often went to Saint Anthony, whom he honored as his spiritual father. The man who formulated the greatest truth had much to suffer for that truth, until the Lord gave him rest in His kingdom as His "faithful servant," in the year 373 (see May 2).
