The Diocese of Allentown celebrates the feast day of Saint Athanasius, a bishop and doctor of the church.

“#Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Feast Day: May 2 // Died: 373 Patronage: Theologians, faithful Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you,” the diocese posted on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofAllentown/photos/a.118132644897687/5392045167506382/

St. Athanasius was born in Alexandria near the end of the 3rd century, according to Britannica. Athanasius is remembered as a primary defender of the faith against Arianism, which was a heresy claiming that Jesus does not share in the same divinity as God. Athanasius authored several important works, including The Life of St. Antony, On the Incarnation, and Four Orations Against the Arians. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Athanasius

Athanasius succeeded Bishop Alexander as Bishop of Alexandria in the year 328, according to Catholic.org. He is a doctor of the church and patron saint of theologians and the Catholic faithful. His feast day is celebrated on May 2, the anniversary of his death. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=336

“Doctor of the Church” is an official title that a pope can bestow upon a person who has made significant and lasting contributions to the church, according to Crossroads Initiative. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, only 36 people have ever been granted this title. There are three requirements to becoming a Doctor of the Church: “holiness that is truly outstanding, even among saints”; “depth of doctrinal insight”; and “an extensive body of writings which the church can recommend as an expression of the authentic and life-giving Catholic Tradition.” https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/doctors-of-the-catholic-church/