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Re-examination of the Historical Sources on the Episcopal Ordination of Athanasius

Re-examination of the Historical Sources on the Episcopal Ordination of Athanasius

Nathan K. N.G.

In the Arian and Melitian controversy, the legitimacy of the episcopal ordination of Athanasius is the key issue. If his ordination was illegal, all he did in the controversy would become inappropriate. However, the present historical sources about this ordination show such diverse pictures that Totally different conclusions can be made depending on which sources are to be trusted.

This article tries to re-evaluate each historical source and explore the true historical facts using modern historiographical methods. These historical sources include Athanasius' Apologia contra Arianos, Chronicon Athanasianum, Epiphanius' Panarion,Gregory Nazianzen's Orationes 21, Philostorgius' Historia Ecclesiastica, Socrates' Historia Ecclesiastica, Sozomen's Historia Ecclesiastica and Apophthegmata Patrum. Based on such re-evaluation, an historical re-construction of the episcopal ordination of Athanasius is provided at the end of the article.

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Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...