Arianism (Arian)
Arian was an ascetic priest and poet from Alexandria (250 - 336)[1]. In the year 319 he disputed the nature of Jesus Christ with the then bishop of Alexandria. He was excommunicated and declared a heretic along with Simon the Great and Marcion. His doctrine – known today as Monarchism – suggests that the Son and Holy Spirit are subordinate to God the Father[2].
The Council of Nicaea condemned his teachings. Even though Arian was exiled by the Emperor Constantine, his doctrine was adopted by Constantine’s successors, specifically Constantius II (337-361) and Valens (364-378). The Arian doctrine was also well received by the Goths following its preaching by the missionary Ulfilias. As a result of the Goths conquests, Arianism reached as far as Spain and North Africa. It was finally eradicated through an Ecclesiastical edict by the Catholic Church and the Muslim conquest of Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.