✝️ Of Athanasius 🧑‍🎓 A follower

Athanasian

9.9

A person who follows the teachings of Athanasius, an early church leader, about the Trinity

noun
/ˌæθəˈneɪʒən/

: atanasiano

He identified himself as an Athanasian because of his strong belief in the Nicene Creed.

Examples

As an Athanasian, she defended the church's traditional doctrine of the Trinity at every meeting.
As an Athanasian, she defended the church's traditional doctrine of the Trinity at every meeting.
The debate between the Athanasian and Arian positions shaped early Christian theology.
Many Athanasian scholars emphasize the importance of the Trinity.
The Athanasian creed is a significant statement of faith.
The debate between the Athanasian and Arian positions shaped early Christian theology.
He identified himself as an Athanasian because of his strong belief in the Nicene Creed.

Synonyms

Trinitarian

vsAthanasian

1 9.8

A person who believes God exists as three persons called Father, Son and Holy Spirit

focuses on a particular teacher's detailed teaching about the Trinity

homoousian

vsAthanasian

Formal

9.9

A person who believes the Father and Son share the same nature in Christianity

focuses on supporting a particular teacher's version of that doctrine

Compounds

Athanasian Creed

Formal

9.9

A statement of Christian beliefs about God as three persons and Jesus becoming human

Surface Forms

Athanasian singular

Athanasians plural

Morphology

Athanasian = Athanasius (semi-transparent) = Athanasius + ian

The noun 'Athanasian' meaning 'a follower or supporter of Athanasius' is formed transparently with '-ian' from the proper name, but specific theological content requires background knowledge.

Etymology

An Athanasian is a follower of Athanasius, and the name Athanasius comes from Greek a- 'not' and thanatos 'death', meaning 'immortal'. So an Athanasian is someone who supports the teachings of that leader, especially his view of the Trinity.