St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Today is the Feast of St. Athanasius.  Depending on whom you read, he was born in 295, 297, or 300, and died on this day in 373.  After his death, he was buried in his native Alexandria, Egypt.  But his relics were transferred to Venice.  In 1973, the Coptic Pope Shenouda III arranged for the return of his relics to Egypt, and there they remain in the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo.  In fact, here's a photo I found on Wikipedia of the shrine where the relics of St. Athanasius are kept:

Last June, Pope Benedict dedicated a Wednesday Audience catechesis to Athanasius' life and contributions to the Church.  Rather than "cut & paste" the address here on the blog, here is the link.  You're all big boys and girls; Go click.