Defence of His Flight (Apologia de Fuga)

Saint Athanasius the Great of Alexandria · c. 357 AD

Ante-Nicene Fathers (Roberts–Donaldson), Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe (eds.), Ante-Nicene Fathers, Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing, 1885–1887; digitized by CCEL.

Archbishop of Alexandria; the great defender of the Nicene faith during the long Arian controversy and the chief architect of the Orthodox understanding of the consubstantiality (ὁμοούσιος) of the Son with the Father. Exiled five times by Arianizing emperors. His On the Incarnation of the Word laid the foundation of all subsequent Christological reflection; his Discourses Against the Arians are the locus classicus of the Trinitarian and Christological argument against Arianism; his Life of Antony spread Egyptian monasticism throughout the Christian world. Numbered among the Three Holy Hierarchs and the Pillars of Orthodoxy.

Contents

1. Athanasius charged with cowardice for escaping.
2. Insincerity of this charge.
3. Outrages of the Arians against the Bishops.
4. Proceedings after the Council of Milan.
5. In praise of Hosius.
6. Outrages of George upon the Alexandrians.
7. Outrages of George.
8. If it is wrong to flee, it is worse to persecute.
9. The accusation shews the mind of the accusers.
10. Their real grievance is not that Athanasius is a coward, but that he is free.
11. Examples of Scripture Saints in defence of flight.
12. The Lord an example of timely flight.
13. Example of Our Lord.
14. An hour and a time for all men.
15. The Lord's hour and time.
16. The Lord's example followed by the Saints.
17. A time to flee and a time to stay.
18. The Saints who fled were no cowards.
19. The Saints courageous in their flight, and divinely favoured.
20. Same Subject Continued.
21. The Saints fled for our sakes.
22. Same subject concluded.
23. Persecution is from the Devil.
24. Irruption of Syrianus.
25. Athanasius's wonderful escape.
26. He acted according to the example of the Saints. Character of his accusers.
27. Conclusion.