Thear an Heresy

The arian heresy takes its name from an influential egyptian priest named arius. He taught that, since christ was the begotten son of god, there must have been a time when christ was not. This line of reasoning contrasted sharply with the beliefs of many in the church who believed that father and son were actually two aspects of the same divine whole. Bishop alexander was himself a co substantialist, so when he finally waded into the controversy, it was to condemn arianism as heretical.