Apologetics of Athenagoras of Athens

The article contains an analysis of the apologetics of Athenagoras of Athens, the author of the apology «Legatio Pro Christianis» and the treatise «On the Resurrection of the Body». It examines the form of texts, the audience and the functions of apologetics, the dogmatic views of Athenagoras. A conclusion is made that the apology was directed both at the pagan intellectual elite for which the presentation of the Christian doctrine is made, and at the Christians themselves. The followers of the faith of Christ received not only concrete examples for the verbal defense of themselves and their teachings, but the apologist also formed their identity, by building oppositions with the pagan world and its culture, as well as forming the dogmatics.

Keywords: Athenagoras of Athens, ancient religion, early Christianity, Christian apologetics, Middle Platonism.