Athanasius

Athanasius was a Byzantine monk and a grandson of Theodora, wife of Justinian I. The main sources about him are John of Ephesus, Michael the Syrian and Bar-Hebraeus.

Biography

Athanasius was son to an unnamed daughter of Theodora, wife of Justinian I. He received a religious education, his mentors being Amantius and Sergius of Tella. The former was a monk from Edessa, the latter served as a Syriac Patriarch of Antioch from 544 to 546. Both mentors were Monophysites.

Athanasius became a monk at some point. In 566, Pope Theodosius I of Alexandria died. Athanasius the Monk was a candidate for the vacant throne. He was apparently a failed candidate for the Coptic Papacy.

Athanasius is recorded spending gold to spread this belief:

But Athanasius and Conon had a severe argument and mutually excommunicated each other. Athanasius considered changing his will. But death prevented him from doing so. John records:"Athanasius purposed to change his will, and exclude Conon from it, but died suddenly: and when his will was opened, Conon took what was written in it, while still excommunicating him who had left him the money."