Athanasius, ath an a'zhe us, SAINT (about 293-373), bishop of Alexandria for forty-seven years and the most prominent churchman of his times. He was known as the most ardent opponent of the Arian heresy and was the target of the fierce opposition of his enemies, who accused him of all manner of crimes, of which, however, he is now deemed wholly innocent, though he was condemned by partisan synods. No less than five times he was exiled by the emperors, and during these periods he resided in Rome and visited many European provinces. The last seven years of his life were spent in enjoyment of his victory over the heretics who had opposed him. He was a vigorous writer of many works, which are now regarded as authoritative in the Church, and which serve as valuable material for the modern historian.