athanasius
Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.)
Four orations answering Arian arguments and setting out the Son as eternally and truly God.
Against the Heathen. (Contra Gentes.)
An early work tracing how idolatry began, and how creation itself still points to its Maker.
Apology to the Emperor. (Apologia Ad Constantium.)
A dignified defence addressed to the emperor, answering the charges brought against Athanasius at court.
Arian History. (Historia Arianorum ad Monachos.)
An account written for the monks, narrating the course of the controversy as Athanasius lived it.
Circular to Bishops of Egypt and Libya. (Ad Episcopos Ægypti Et Libyæ Epistola Encyclica.)
A circular letter warning the Egyptian bishops to weigh doctrinal statements carefully before signing them.
Defence Against the Arians. (Apologia Contra Arianos.)
A defence built largely of documents, letting the record of synods and letters answer for him.
Defence of Dionysius. (De Sententia Dionysii.)
A defence of the earlier bishop Dionysius, showing that his words had been quoted out of their setting.
Defence of His Flight. (Apologia de Fuga.)
An answer to those who called his withdrawal cowardice, arguing from Scripture that flight can be faithful.
Defence of the Nicene Definition. (De Decretis.)
An explanation of why the council chose the words it did, and what they were meant to safeguard.
Encyclical Letter. (Epistola Encyclica.)
A circular letter to the bishops of the world, reporting events in Alexandria and asking for their support.
Letters of Athanasius with Two Ancient Chronicles of His Life
Festal and personal letters, together with two early chronicles that map the course of his life.
Life of Antony. (Vita Antoni.)
The life of the first great desert monk, the book that carried monasticism into the wider world.
On Luke x. 22. (Illud Omnia, &c.)
A short discourse on the Son's knowledge of the Father, drawn from a single verse of Luke.
On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia. (De Synodis.)
A survey of the rival creeds produced by two councils, weighing each against the Nicene faith.
Statement of Faith. (Expositio Fidei.)
A brief and orderly statement of belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Synodal Letter to the Bishops of Africa. (Ad Afros Epistola Synodica.)
A synodal letter to the African bishops, urging them to hold to Nicaea and its wording.
Synodal Letter to the People of Antioch. (Tomus ad Antiochenos.)
A peacemaking letter to a divided Antioch, showing that the parties meant the same thing by different words.
The Incarnation of the Word
The classic account of why God became man: to restore the image and to conquer death from within.