# Athanasius lists the New Testament canon (367)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/367-athanasius-lists-the-new-testament-canon
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
Themes: Scripture

Athanasius' Festal Letter is the first to list exactly the 27 books of the New Testament as canonical. At this point in the timeline (367), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Damasus I (1 October 366 – 11 December 384). His claim was contested by Antipope Ursinus.

## Why it matters
Athanasius lists the New Testament canon mattered because it shaped the text, canon or translation of the Bible and how Christians read it.

Pope at the time: [Pope Damasus I](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-damasus-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Development of the New Testament canon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_New_Testament_canon)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Athanasius lists the New Testament canon](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Athanasius+lists+the+New+Testament+canon)
- [Wikipedia — Age Of Councils (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils)