Exercises on Arianism

“Arius affirmed the existence of one God, the Father, eternal, absolute, immutable, incorruptible. This Supreme and Absolute Being, according to his conception, cannot communicate his Being nor even parts of it, neither by creation nor by generation. If God is not a body, he cannot be composite, divisible. Thus, it is impossible for God to beget a child. Everything outside of it, therefore, was created out of nothing. All that exists outside of the Absolute, eternal, uncreated, incommunicable God are mere creatures.”

FRANGIOTTI, Roque. History of heresies – 1st-7th centuries:ideological conflicts within Christianity. São Paulo:Paulus, 1995, p.86-87.

The passage mentions Arianism, a doctrine created by Arius, in the 4th century, which denied the existence:

a) of Christ

b) of original sin

c) of the Trinity

d) of the devil

e) from the Bible

Who was the first ecclesiastical personality to confront the doctrines spread by Arius?

a) Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria

b) Emperor Constantine

c) Saint Athanasius

d) Eusebius of Nicomedia

e) Bishop Osorio of Cordoba

“With the intention of settling the controversy once and for all, Constantine, together with Hosius and Alexander and with other Orthodox bishops, concluded that a general, ecumenical council was necessary. The idea had come, perhaps from the assembly of bishops gathered in Antioch or proposed by Hosius to Constantine. The fact is that the executor of the project was the emperor himself. He was responsible for everything from the convocation to the provision of travel, transport, food and accommodation for the participating bishops. He is present at the assemblies as a judge of decisions. It was a tense council, with passionate, ardent discussions.”

FRANGIOTTI, Roque. History of heresies – 1st-7th centuries:ideological conflicts within Christianity. São Paulo:Paulus, 1995, p.92-93.

Emperor Constantine, concerned about the escalation in violence caused between supporters of Arianism and its critics, convened a council to debate Arian doctrine. This council became known as:

a) Council of Jerusalem

b) Council of Constantinople

c) Council of Sardica

d) Council of Cordoba

e) Council of Nicaea

Disciple of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, fought against the growth of Arianism and was persecuted for it, having been excommunicated and exiled several times. We're talking about:

a) Saint Athanasius

b) Eusebius of Nicomedia

c) Arius

d) Pope Liberius

e) Constantine

Letter C

The passage mentions Arius' belief and his denial of the Trinity. The Trinity is a Christian doctrine that holds that God the Father, Christ and the Holy Spirit are actually just one, who manifests himself from three persons. Arius argued that it was impossible for God to manifest his own nature in another being, so, for Arius, Christ, despite being divine, would have been created by God and, therefore, was not equal to God, being subordinate to Him.

Letter A

Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, was the first to take a stand against the doctrine spread by Arius. Alexander first admonished Arius to abandon his ideas and accept the prevailing orthodoxy. When Arius refused, Alexander convoked a synod (assembly of ecclesiastics), which condemned the principles of Arianism.

Letter E

The Council of Nicaea was organized in 325 by Emperor Constantine under the influence of Hosius of Cordoba or Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria. At the Council, around 300 bishops were gathered to debate various factors, the main one being Arianism. At the end of the council, only two bishops refused to agree to the denial of Arius' principles and were excommunicated for it. Arius was also excommunicated and sentenced to exile.

Letter A

Saint Athanasius was present at the Council of Nicaea with Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, and throughout his life he fought against Arianism. He was persecuted for this when Constantine's sister Constance came to defend Eusebius of Nicomedia. When the exile of Eusebius of Nicomedia was revoked, Athanasius began to be persecuted by the Arians, who managed to force the exile and excommunication of Saint Athanasius.