Savrey, V. Ya. The Experience of Christian Philosophy of Religion in the Orations of St. Athanasius of Alexandria ‘Against Hellenes’

Abstract: The bishop of Alexandria Athanasius the Great was famous only as a theologian but also a successor to the tradition of Apologists who taught Christianity to pagans. All scientists who study the history of Christianity speak highly of St. Athanasius’ activity. The author of the present article studies philosophical grounds of the classification of religious worships and substantiations of polytheism provided in ‘Orations Against Hellenes’ of St. Athanasius the Great. Oratio contra gentes is not only a polemic but also educating work by St. Athanasius. In his speech the theologian tried to find the reason why people estranged from the natural knowledge of God. He believed that the reason was in people’s attraction to sensuality. However, St. Athanasius believed that the moral decay is not only in one’s estrangement from observing spiritual reality but in one’s focus on himself. The author of the present research article shows how St. Athanasius’ views developed from the basic concepts to the classification of diversified forms of the polytheistic cult and myth. Therefore, St. Athanasius can be considered the founder of the philosophy of religion in the history of Christianity.

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