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"Father Michael E. Molloy, an Orthodox priest from Alaska, has published a biography of the
great Father of the Church Athanasius in a simple but well-researched book, Champion of
Truth: The Life of St. Athanasius. I found it easy to read but fascinating in his depiction
of the saint's lifelong struggle with imperial authority and the Arian heresy. The author
recommends that the reader begin with the appendices. I did so and found them a good background
to the saint's life. A note to the reader: Champion of Truth: The Life of St. Athanasius
is a good introduction to the saint, but not a critical study." --Fr. Don
Piraro in The Priest, February 2004
"Michael Molloy, an Orthodox priest, is the assistant pastor of St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska. He
has admired St. Athanasius for three decades and seeks to remedy the lack of a biography of him. The account describes the
tumultuous life of Athanasius, his exiles and the plots against him, and his battles in defense of the true faith against
the Arians and their supporters. Included are a chronology, a map, and appendices on the city of Alexandria and on life
in Egypt." --W. Charles Heiser in Theology Digest Book Survey,
Summer 2004
From his authorship at the tender age of 20 of the profound
theological work, On the Incarnation, to his pivotal role in the First Ecumenical Council, Athanasius is one of the
most intriguing figures in Constantinian Christianity. This volume provides a sympathetic and winsome introduction to the
life of the beloved Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria. The author, Michael Molloy, serves as Assistant Pastor at
St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska.
Molloy tells the story of Athanasius' life in a compelling way.
So many aspects of Athanasius' life are intriguing -- his influential role at the Council of Nicea; the slander and false
accusation he suffered at the hands of the Arians; his on-again, off-again relationship with the Roman emperor Constantine;
his persistence through five exiles; his identification with Egyptian monastics such as the well-respected hermit Antony.
One cannot help but be struck by the incredible price that Athanasius paid in defending orthodoxy against the Arian
heresy. In all, Athanasius spent about 18 years in exile away from his beloved Alexandria.
In addition to tracing Athanasius' life, the author includes
helpful appendices which describe the political, cultural, economic, and ecclesial background of Alexandria and Upper and
Lower Egypt in Athanasius' day, as well as articles describing in greater detail the practice of monasticism and the life
of the Roman emperor Constantine. Also included are two brief excerpts from Athanasius' Letter to Marcellinus, "A
Guide for the Use of the Psalms," and "The Importance of Chanting the Psalms." As the author mentions in the Preface, it is
helpful to read the appendices first in order to have a better understanding of the historical background of Athanasius'
life and times. In the early pages of the book, Molloy also provides the reader with a helpful chronology of Athanasius'
life, along with an excerpt from Saint Gregory Nazianzen's oration in praise of Athanasius, "On the Great Athanasius," and
an "Aposticha of Vespers for Saint Athanasius" by a contemporary author.
Scholars may be disappointed at the paucity of documentation and
the lack of application of critical historiographic methodology, but this is an excellent book to introduce Athanasius to
a lay audience. --Steve W. Lemke, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA in
Catholic Studies / CatholicBooksReview.org, January 25, 2005
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