“The Bishop rightly understood that the Church's doctrines were inviolable. They were not something to be tampered with by each new generation. Rather, the duty of every generation was to preserve the faith just as it had been received. Jesus Christ had entrusted the Gospel to His disciples. Their calling was to preserve and pass it on to other faithful men who also would do likewise. The truths of the Church could be defined and expounded upon, but not changed.” CatholicCatholicismCatholic Tradition Book:Champion of Truth: The Life of Saint Athanasius Source: Champion of Truth: The Life of Saint Athanasius
“Athanasius' flight into exile had not simply been one of reaction. He had carefully thought out the proper response to persecution. He wrote: "To all men generally, even to us, this law is given, to flee when persecuted, and to hide when sought after, and not rashly tempt the Lord . . . but that men should be ready, that, when the time comes, or when they are taken, they may contend for the truth even unto death. This rule the blessed martyrs observed in their several persecutions. When persecuted they fled, while concealing themselves they showed fortitude, and when discovered they summitted to martyrdom.” CatholicCatholicismPersecution Of ChristiansPersecuted Christians Book:Champion of Truth: The Life of Saint Athanasius Source: Champion of Truth: The Life of Saint Athanasius