5th Sunday of Easter, May 02, 2021

Intentions - 01 May - for the parishioners of St. Michael’s and St. Athanasius' exile lasted for two and a half years. He returned to Alexandria Gabriel’s parishes. in 338 to find both Emperor Constantine and Arius had died. Constantine's 02 May - for the parishioners of St. Michael’s and St. empire was divided between his three sons, Constantine II, Constantius and Constans. Gabriel’s parishes. However, in 353 Athanasius would face more condemnations by the Arians Intentions are $15.00 in the councils at Arles, France and again in 355 in Milan, Italy. Persecution continued against Athanasius and escalated to physical attacks “I am the true vine,” connect to me says Jesus, Offertory Collection against him. While he was celebrating a vigil Liturgy in a church in Egypt, “Abide in me as I in you” find purpose and life soldiers forced their way in and killed some of the congregation. Athanasius through my love and you will find peace and be April 25 - $370.70 Vocation Works - $85.00 Thank You managed to escape and hid in the desert, where a group of monks kept him satisfied. These are the words that Jesus speaks to safe for six years. us through the Gospels. These are also the words During his years as a hermit, he wrote his Apology to Constantius, the May 02 that he speaks to our hearts when we spent time with him, when we

Apology for His Flight, the Letter to the Monks, and the History of the connect to and abide in his world of love. Saint Athanasius: St. Athanasius, also known as Athanasius the Arians. Great and Athanasius the Confessor, was a bishop and doctor of the church. Athanasius returned to Alexandria after the death of Constantius in 361 and Some months ago, I began creating a small chapel in the rectory He is called the "Father of Orthodoxy," the "Pillar of the Church" and the new emperor, Julian, revoked all sentences of exile enacted by his where I live. A place where I could be alone with God, a place of "Champion of Christ's Divinity." Athanasius became one of the most predecessor. contemplation and peace away from the distractions of the world. A dedicated opponents of the heresy of Arianism. Much of his life was a This lasted only a few months though. Emperor Julian's plan for paganizing place to turn away from the virtual world of the Internet- testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ. the Christian world couldn't get very far so long as Athanasius, the champion connectedness, towards the real presence of God’s love. At first it Born in either 296 or 298 in Alexandria, Egypt to a prominent Christian for Catholic faith, was around. Therefore, Julian exiled Athanasius and he was just being in the room that brought me a sense of peace and holi- family, Athanasius received a wonderful education in Christian doctrine, once again sought refuge in the desert. ness, then this feeling began to permeate the walls into the adjacent Greek literature, philosophy, rhetoric and jurisprudence. He stayed there until 363 when Julian died and the next emperor, Emperor rooms and then through the barriers around my own heart. He was well studied in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospel accounts and Jovian reinstalled him. Jovian's reign was a short one, and Athanasius was the Christian texts which would later be recognized by the Church as the Such is the peace of Christ, such is the response to abiding in his again banished just eight months later. love. Jesus constantly offers such a place to all of us, and he contin- canon of the New Testament. Over the course of his life, Athanasius was banished five times and spent 17 Around 323, Arius, an ambitious priest of the Alexandrian Church, denied years of his life in exile for the defense of the doctrine of Christ's divinity. ues to offer it through the media of our lives, through the technology the Divinity of Christ, and began spreading word that Jesus Christ was not However, the last years of his life were peaceful and he died on May 2, 373 of faith that is available for anyone to connect to. Each moment of truly divine, but merely created in time by the Eternal Father. in Alexandria. life, no matter what the circumstance, is an invitation and opportunity Athanasius stood alongside Alexander during the famous Council of Nicaea His body was transferred, first to Constantinople, then to Venice. to accept God’s presence within and around us. It may seem impos- to determine the matters of dogma. St. Athanasius is often shown as a bishop arguing with a pagan, a bishop ing at first, but eventually this time of visitation becomes more a It was during this meeting, summoned by Emperor Constantine, that Arius' holding an open book or a bishop standing over a defeated heretic. He is a place of residence, a place that we come to recognize as home. sentencing was officially confirmed and the Nicene Creed was adopted as the patron saint of theologians, and faithful Orthodox and Roman Catholic Creed of the Church and a worthy symbol of the orthodox Christian faith. May you find your home in God’s eternal peace, Christians and hailed to this day as a great Defender of the Faith. The early Christian Church, still undivided, rejoiced at the defense of the true Fr. John nature of Jesus Christ. To this day, Athanasius is considered the great “Christ was made man that we might be made God.” defender of the Faith in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. St. Athanasius of Alexandria Just five months later, Alexander died and Athanasius succeeded him after Prayers for the Sick. Please pray for the sick among being unanimously elected. He was consecrated as the new Bishop of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament our families and friends, especially Monique Beaupre, Alexandria in 328 and continued the fight against Arianism. Claudette Cameron, Jean Cassidy, Patricia Cassidy, Sue In 330, Eusebius approached Emperor Constantine and convinced him to You are most welcome to join us . . . Every Jennings, Guy Lauzon, Don Pajot, Father Michael Rud- command Athanasius to allow Arians back into communion. Athanasius Wednesday night at 6:00 pm (confessions available) dick and Lorraine Stafford. The names will remain on refused, noting the Catholic Church could not hold communion with heretics with mass at 7:00pm the list until we are otherwise advised. who attacked the divinity of Christ.

In 335, Emperor Constantine commanded Athanasius to go to the Council of Tyre, Lebanon. The council was full of Athanasius' opponents and was led BOTTLE DRIVE: Please drop off at Church Hall. 205 Bayview Here is the live streaming link on YouTube for our mass at by an Arian. Athanasius realized his condemnation was already pre-decided. Drive, 10:00 am - thru 12:00 pm on May 22th (date changed because St. Michael's at 9 am Sunday Athanasius was exiled for the first time to Trier, Germany. While there, he of covid restrictions) and June 19th StMStG-Live kept in touch with his flock by letter.