Arius (250–336) was a schismatic priest from Alexandria whose teaching on the creaturely character of the Son of God was deemed heretical by the Council of Nicaea in 325. Initially he was excommunicated by Peter, Bishop of Alexandria, only to be later reconciled to the church and made a presbyter in 313. Arius’ teachings, known as Arianism, claimed that the Son of God was not eternal but was created by God the Father, making the Son distinct from, and subordinate to, the Father.