Rufinus relates a story that as Bishop Alexander stood by a window, he watched boys playing on the seashore below, imitating the ritual of Christian baptism. He sent for the children and discovered that one of the boys (Athanasius) had acted as bishop. After questioning Athanasius, Bishop Alexander informed him that the baptisms were genuine, as both the form and matter of the sacrament had been performed through the recitation of the correct words and the administration of water, and that he must not continue to do this as those baptized had not been properly catechized. He invited Athanasius and his playfellows to prepare for clerical careers. COUNT 4
QSN1 Were the pretend baptisms real? ANS1 the baptisms were genuine QSN2 As a child, Athanasius imitated what ritual? ANS2 ritual of Christian baptism QSN3 What work did the Bishop suggest for Athanasius? ANS3 clerical careers QSN4 Why was Athanasius instructed to stop pretend baptising? ANS4 not been properly catechized