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Opposition to Arianism

In about 319, when Athanasius was a deacon, a presbyter named Arius came into a direct conflict with Alexander of Alexandria. It appears that Arius reproached Alexander for what he felt were misguided or heretical teachings being taught by the bishop. At the time, subordinationism was orthodox and Arius embraced a subordinationist Christology. Even Athanasius taught a form of subordination. But Arius taught that Christ, the divine Son (Logos) of God, was made out of nothing, not begotten, which the Eusebians also opposed.

Arius had support from the two most influential bishops at the time Eusebius of Nicomedia and Eusebius of Caesarea. However, they were not followers of Arius. They supported him because they thought that Alexander's theology was even more dangerous. Arius was subsequently excommunicated by Alexander, and Arius began to elicit the support of many bishops who joined in opposition to Alexander.