SAINT ATHANASIOS THE GREAT 9158
St. Athanasios the Great was born in Alexandria in 296 AD and attended the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 325 as a deacon where he defended with zeal the Orthodox Church against the Arian Heresy. St Athanasios became the next Patriarch of Alexandria, but he was hated by Arians who slandered and persecuted him throughout most of his life. He lived in exile for 46 years, in the desert, in a well, in a grave, and in private houses. He ended his life however in peace in 373, restored again to his flock in Alexandria.