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'''Arius''' (256-336) was an early Christian theologian who taught [[Arianism]], a theology that rejected the [[Trinity]] and taught that Jesus was lesser than God the Father.  All of the writings of Arius were systematically destroyed by the Church, but historians have reconstructed his thoughts from the arguments used against them by orthodox trinitarians.  

'''Arius''' (AD 256-336) was an early [[Christian]] theologian who taught [[Arianism]], a theology that rejected the [[Trinity]] and taught that Jesus was lesser than God the Father.  All of the writings of Arius were systematically destroyed by the Church, but historians have reconstructed his thoughts from the arguments used against them by orthodox trinitarians.  

==Career==

==Career==

Arius became a presbyter (minor priest) in Alexandria. In 318 he disagreed with his bishop on the nature of Christ, and was condemned with his associates at a synod at Alexandria in 320 or 321 and banished. He left the city and found refuge with two powerful churchmen, Eusebius of Caesarea and Eusebius of Nicomedia, who sympathized with his view. The debate spread across the region.  

Arius became a presbyter (minor priest) in Alexandria. In 318 he disagreed with his bishop on the nature of Christ, and was condemned with his associates at a synod at Alexandria in 320 or 321 and banished. He left the city and found refuge with two powerful churchmen, Eusebius of Caesarea and Eusebius of Nicomedia, who sympathized with his view. The debate spread across the region.  

==Nicea==

==Nicea==

The controversy became so heated that the Emperor [[Constantine]], now military master of the East and the West, called the first [[Council of Nicea|General Council of the Church at Nicaea]] to resolve the issue in May 325. Three parties emerged at the Council: the Arian, led by Eusebius of Nicomedia; the Alexandrian; and the moderate, led by Eusebius of Caesarea. The Council banished Arius to Illyria, condemned Arianism, and affirmed that Christ was "begotten, not made," "of one essence with the Father." The unity of the Church seemed achieved.

The controversy became so heated that the Emperor [[Constantine]], now military master of the East and the West, called the first [[Council of Nicea|General Council of the Church at Nicaea]] to resolve the issue in May 325. Three parties emerged at the Council: the Arian, led by Eusebius of Nicomedia; the Alexandrian; and the moderate, led by Eusebius of Caesarea. The Council banished Arius to Illyria, condemned Arianism, and affirmed that Christ was "begotten, not made," "of one essence with the Father." The unity of the Church seemed achieved.