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'''Arius''' (AD 250 or 256 - 336) was a fourth-century [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandrian]] [[presbyter]] who was formally condemned as a [[heretic]] by the Orthodox Church. His heresy, referred to as [[Arianism]], consisted of the early fourth century who taught his teaching that the [[Jesus Christ|Son of God ]] was not co-eternaland consubstantial with His Father, that the Son but was rather a created being, and was subordinate to God the Father. This Arius's belief was considered a heresy, called [[Arianism]]. that was condemned by the [[First Ecumenical Council ]], at [[Nicea]] in 325. Yet The council's decision did not immediately stop Arianism, however, the controversy over the heresy continued after the Council as Arius its proponent quickly returned to the favor of [[Constantine the Great|Emperor's]] favor. Only the unusual Even Arius' death of Arius, followed a one year later by the death that of Constantine, temporarily overshadowed did not lay the controversyto rest; that came about—in the Church, at least—through the teachings of the [[Cappadocian Fathers]] and the actions of the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381. Arianism continued to linger in some Gothic and Vandal kingdoms of the West until it was finally suppressed in the seventh century. Arius's ideas are no longer accepted ''in toto'' by any organized entity, though some modern sects like the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and [[Mormonism|Mormons]] display Arian tendencies in their doctrine.

==Life==Arius was apparently of Lybian and Berber descent, born about 250 in North Africa. His father is known as Ammonius. Arius grew up in AlexandriaArianism should be clearly distinguished from "Aryanism", Egypt at the time the city was the center of Christian scholarship. These also were which formed the times when a theological explanation core of the relationship between the Father and Son was being developed. Thus, Arius' teachings became one of the views that were proposed Nazi racial ideology during these ''Christological'' controversies. Arius was a pupil of Lucian of Antioch, a celebrated Christian teacher and [[martyr]]. In 306, Arius sided with Meletius, another Egyptian schismatic, against the [[Bishop]] of Alexandriatwentieth century, Peter. But, their dispute was soon reconciled and Peter [[ordination|ordain]]ed Arius a [[deacon]]. Later, having fallen out again which had nothing whatsoever to do with Peter, Arius gained the friendship of Peter's successor, Achillas, who ordained Arius a [[priest]] in 313, thus giving Arius an official status. Apparently, Arius also had hopes of succeeding Achillas as [[patriarch]] of Alexandria. It was under Bishop Achillas that Arius first became controversial as reported by the historian Socrates Scholasticus. This occurred when Arius presented or his syllogism :''If the Father begat the Son, he that was begotten had a beginning of existence. From this it is evident that there was a time when the Son was not. It therefore necessarily follows that he had his substance from nothing''teachings.

In 318, ==Early life==Arius came into dispute with Bishop Alexander was apparently of AlexandriaLybian and Berber descent, who had succeeded Achillas, over his teachings of the fundamental truth Godborn about 250 (some sources say 256) in North Africa. His father's divine Sonship and substancename was given as Ammonius. While Arius developed a following among grew up in Alexandria, Egypt; at the Syrian prelatestime, an Alexandrian synod the city was a center of some 100 bishops condemned him in 321Christian scholarship. He was excommunicated a pupil of Lucian of Antioch, a celebrated Christian teacher and fled to Palestine[[martyr]]. There he entered into This was the era when a friendship theological explanation of the relationship between the Father and Son was being developed, and Arius' teachings became one of the views proposed during these ''Christological'' controversies. In 306, Arius sided with Meletius, an Egyptian schismatic, against the [[Eusebius Bishop]] of NicomediaAlexandria, [[Peter of Alexandria|Peter]]. But their dispute was soon reconciled, and Peter [[ordination|ordain]]ed Ariusa [[deacon]]. Having fallen out anew with Peter, a proficient writerArius gained the friendship of Peter's successor, produced many compositionsAchillas, who ordained Arius a [[priest]] in both prose and verse defending his belief313, thus giving him official status in a media he called ''Thalia''the Church. Achillas was succeeded by [[Alexander of Alexandria]]; it was under this bishop that Arius first ignited the controversy now that bears his name. Most This argument centered upon the precise nature of these writings are not extantthe [[Jesus Christ|Son of God]], and His relationship to God the Father, having been destroyed as being hereticaland it struck at the very heart of the Orthodox Christian faith.

In opposition==The Arian controversy==According to Church historian Socrates Scholasticus, Arius entered in 318 into a dispute with Bishop [[Alexander of Alexandria presented ]] over his case to Alexander of Constantinople teachings about God's divine Sonship and Eusebius of Nicomedia, where the emperor was in residencesubstance. The arguments continued and became a powerful force within Alexander had attempted to instruct his clergy on the Roman empire, such that unity of the emperor Constantine could no longer ignore it. To settle the arguments he called a [[synod|councilHoly Trinity]] with delegates drawn from all the empire. The purpose , but Arius&mdash;whether through misunderstanding, or a "love of thiscontroversy", the as alleged by Socrates&mdash;opposed his bishop's teaching as smacking of [[First Ecumenical Council|First Council of NiceaSabellianism]].<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf202.ii.iv.v.html Socrates Ecclesiastical History], Vol. 1, Ch. 5.</ref> Arius proffered his own syllogism: ''If the Father begat the Son, he that was to determine as far as possible what begotten had been taught from the a beginningof existence. The Council met in Nicea, near Constantinople in 325. Here From this it is evident that there was a time when the confession of faith presented by Arius Son was cut to piecesnot. It therefore necessarily follows that he had his substance from nothing''. Then This, under of course, denied the guidance essential unity and consubstantiality of Constantine, the Council developed a [[creed]]Holy Trinity, and caused an uproar among Arius's listeners that quickly spread throughout the Nicene Creed for use in catechetical instruction and at baptismsChurch, that rendered as Arius' language hereticalinsisted upon disseminating his ideas.

With this decisionAlthough Arianism carries Arius's name, its doctrines did not entirely originate with him. Lucian of Antioch, Arius 's teacher and his followers were deposed and sent into exile. Yetmentor, much concern remained over the use was accused by Bishop Alexander of being the word source for Arius's heretical teachings&mdash;not so much that Lucian had taught Arianism 'homoousios'per se' ', but rather that was used in formulating the case against he possessed certain heretical tendencies which he passed on to his pupil, Arius. The early<ref>Vasiliev, ill defined definitions A. [http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/vasilief/arianism-council-nicaea.asp Arianism and the Council of homoousios were part Nicaea], from ''History of the arguments used in deposing Paul of Samosata in 269 which at Byzantine Empire'', Chapter One. Retrieved on 2010-02-02.</ref> Indeed, the time were considered noted Russian historian Alexander Vasiliev refers to have Sabellian tendenciesLucian as ''"the Arius before Arius"''.<ref>Vasiliev, A. [http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/vasilief/arianism-council-nicaea. In his arguments against Ariusasp Arianism and the Council of Nicaea], Alexander from ''History of Alexandria refined the definition to mollify the earlier objectionsByzantine Empire'', Chapter One. However, not all agreed Retrieved on 2010-02-02.</ref>

SoWhile Arius developed a following among some Syrian prelates, the decision at Nicea almost immediately came under attack and after an Alexandrian [[synod]] of some 100 bishops summoned by Bishop Alexander died condemned him in 327 many of the supporters of Arius were allowed 321. He was [[excommunication|excommunicated]], and fled to returned to their old positions which allowed Palestine. There he entered into a friendship with [[Eusebius of [[Nicomedia]] again to influence Constantine. Even Arius was allowed to return to Alexandria , a proficient writer, produced many compositions in 331both prose and verse defending his belief, Many of including a poem that he called the proponents ''Thalia''. Most of the Nicene decision began to be deposed these writings were destroyed as they found it impossible to defend the decision without apparently falling into Sabellianism. Eustathius of Antiochbeing heretical, Marcellus though portions of Ancyra, the ''Thalia'' and others, who were supporters of Anthanasius of Alexandria, were among thema few other Arian texts survive.

With Constantine now favoring ==The Council of Nicea==In opposition to Arius, he commanded Anthanasius Alexander of Alexandria presented his case to [[Alexander of Constantinople]] and [[Eusebius of Nicomedia]], where the emperor was in residence. Although the emperor sent a legate to readmit resolve the controversy and publically called upon Arius and Alexander to communion. This Anthanasius refusedsettle their differences, thus leading to charges the dispute was of treason such a nature as to preclude any compromise. Accordingly, the emperor arguments between Arius and exile to Trierhis opponents continued, becoming such a powerful divisive force within the Roman empire that Constantine could no longer abide them. With their acceptance by To settle the emperordilemma once and for all, he called a [[synod|council]] with delegates drawn from all the supporters of Arius began disturbances in Alexandria toward gaining powerempire. The emperor then directed Alexander purpose of Constantinople to receive Arius into communion. Opposed to this, the reinstatement [[First Ecumenical Council|First Council of AriusNicea]], Alexander asked his supporters was to pray for removal determine as far as possible what had been taught by Jesus Christ and His [[Apostles]]. The Council met in Nicea, near Constantinople, in 325. Here, the confession of either him or Arius from this world before faith presented by Arius was re-admitted cut to communionpieces. AndGuided by the emperor, the day before Council developed a creed, the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Nicene Creed]], for use in catechetical instruction and at baptisms. Arius himself was to receive communioncondemned as a heretic; his [[deposition]] from the priesthood and excommunication were confirmed, together with those of all his recalcitrant adherents&mdash;who were then exiled, he died suddenlytogether with Arius. That One champion of Orthodoxy to emerge from this council was 336[[Athanasius the Great]], an Alexandrian deacon who would eventually succeed Bishop Alexander and become one of the Church's greatest warriors against Arianism, authoring one of its most famous Patristic polemicals: ''Against the Arians''.

Although the council seemed to have settled the Arian issue once and for all, concern remained over the use of the word ''homoousios'' that was used in formulating the case against Arius. Early, ill-defined definitions of ''homoousios'' were part of the arguments used in deposing [[Paul of Samosata]] in 269; at the time, these were considered to have Sabellian tendencies. In his polemics against Arius, Alexander of Alexandria refined the definition of ''homoousios'' to mollify these earlier objections.  However, not all of his contemporaries agreed with Alexander's conclusions. The decision at Nicea came almost immediately under attack, and after Alexander died in 327, many of Arius's supporters were allowed to returned to their old positions. This in turn allowed Eusebius of [[Nicomedia]] to influence Constantine anew; even Arius himself was allowed to return to Alexandria in 331. Many proponents of the Nicene decision began to be deposed, as they found it impossible to defend it without apparently falling into Sabellianism. Eustathius of Antioch, Marcellus of Ancyra, and others&mdash;supporters of [[Athanasius the Great|St. Anthanasius of Alexandria]]&mdash;were among them. ==Later years and death ==With Constantine now favoring Arius, he commanded Anthanasius to readmit him to communion. Anthanasius refused, leading to charges of treason against the emperor and Athanasius's exile to Trier. Revelling in their new-found acceptance by Constantine, Arius 's supporters commenced disturbances in Alexandria aimed at taking control there. The emperor now directed Bishop Alexander of Constantinople to receive Arius into communion; vehemently opposed to this, Alexander asked his supporters to pray for the removal of either him or Arius from the world before Arius could be re-admitted to the Church. Incredibly, one day before Arius was to receive communion, he suddenly died. Socrates Scholasticus reports that while parading through the streets of the Imperial City Arius was suddenly seized with pain in his bowels, barely making it to an outdoor privy before expiring due to loss of blood.<ref>''[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wace/biodict.html A Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century A.D., with an Account of the Principal Sects and Heresies]'' by Henry Wace.</ref> While many Orthodox Christians&mdash;then and now&mdash;regarded his demise as miraculous, some scholars believe that Arius was actually poisoned by some of his enemies.<ref>Edward Gibbons "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", Chapter 21, (1776&ndash;88), Jonathan Kirsch, ''God Against the Gods: The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism'', 2004, and Charles Freeman, ''The Closing of the Western Mind: The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason'', 2002.</ref> Although Arius's death and that of Constantine a year later led to reduced debate, the Christological controversies eventually resumed. Ultimately, the [[Cappadocian Fathers]]: [[Basil the Great]], [[Gregory the Theologian]] and [[Gregory of Nyssa]], would provide a lull comprehensive Orthodox answer to the dilemmas raised by Arius, burying Arianism in the Church once and for all. Their doctrines were confirmed by the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381. Arius is still considered by the Orthodox church (and most of the rest of Christianity) to be one of its greatest heretics; in icons of the controversyFirst Ecumenical Council, but he is often portrayed as lying prostrate beneath the feet of [[Jesus Christ|the Lord]] and/or the ‘bishops. ==Arianism today==Today, a so-called "Holy Arian Catholic and Apostolic Church" in England claims to proclaim Arius'Christologicals teachings, even "canonizing" him in 2006. However, this body differs with its namesake on several crucial points, including its rejection of the [[Nativity|Virgin Birth]] and [[Resurrection]] of Christ, which Arius himself never questioned. The Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormon sects are often accused (especially the former) of being Arian; while both certainly exhibit doctrines which tend toward Arianism&mdash;which are rejected by the Orthodox Church as being heretical, along with many other teachings&mdash;each sect' controversies would continue for several more centuriess [[Christology]] differs somewhat from classic Arian doctrine.  No remnant of any of the Arian sects established in Western Europe or elsewhere is known to exist today. ==Notes==<references />

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arius Wikipedia : Arius] (A thoroughly disappointing ''Wikipedia'' article from a JW viewpoint)on Arius.*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01718a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Arius] ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' article on Arius.*[http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/arius-chart The Complete Extant Works of Arius] From the "Fourth Century Christianity" webpage sponsored by Wisconsin Lutheran College.[http://www.fourthcentury.com/]*[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/28161.htm St. Athanasius' ''Discourse Against the Arians''] From Arius's chief opponent at the First Ecumenical Council.