Holy Fathers Saints Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria and Gregory of Theologian

On July 28 Armenian Church commemorates the feast of the Holy Fathers Sts. Athanesius and Cyril of Alexandria and Gregory of Theologian.

St. Athanasius, Egyptian by birth, was born in Alexandria to pious parents who dedicated their son from an early age to serve the Lord. Growing up, Athanasius became so successful in learning and virtuous life that Alexander - bishop of Alexandria appointed him as his reader, and then ordained him to the diaconate. In 325 young Athanasius accompanied Alexander to the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, where Athanasius, along with pastors and fathers of the Church, defended Orthodox doctrine against Arianism. After the death of Bishop Alexander Athanasius was popularly elected as his successor. Throughout his life, undergoing sorrows and hardships, pursued by enemies of the Church, Athanasius, a true soldier of Christ, meekly bore his cross, was constantly strengthened and enlightened by Holy Spirit. Athanasius - author of many theological works, is considered one of the pillars of the universal Church.

Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. Little is known for certain of Cyril's early life. He was born c. 376, in the small town of Theodosios, Egypt. A few years after his birth, his maternal uncle Theophilus rose to the powerful position of Patriarch of Alexandria. His mother remained close to her brother and under his guidance, Cyril was well educated. His writings show his knowledge of Christian writers of his day, including Eusebius, Origen, Didymus the Blind, and writers of the Church of Alexandria. He received the formal Christian education standard for his day: he studied grammar from age twelve to fourteen (390-392), rhetoric and humanities from fifteen to twenty (393-397) and finally theology and biblical studies (398-402). In 403 he accompanied his uncle to attend a synod in Constantinople. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the late-4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431, which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Patriarch of Constantinople.

St. Gregory the Theologian, this great ecumenical doctor of the Church is also known as Gregory Nazianzen, after the town of his birth. The saint was born through the prayers of his mother, who relentlessly prayed for a son. Being inquisitive by nature, Gregory first studied at Caesarea, then in Palestine, Alexandria and finally in Athens, becoming philosopher and rhetorician. In Athens he studied with St. Basil the Great. The two friends had natural tendency to asceticism, delighting the locals with their monastic feats. At the age of thirty Gregory returned to his homeland, was baptized and made a vow of celibacy. Studying the Scripture day and night, he received the gift of clear contemplation of Christ. Consecrated in 361 by his father in priesthood, he became head of Nazianzen Church, and twenty years later - the bishop of Constantinople. For twelve years the saint taught the people in Orthodox faith and fought against heretics. He participated in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381). Literary heritage of St. Gregory includes numerous sermons and letters.