Final answer:
Early significant church fathers in Eastern Christianity include Athanasius and Basil. Athanasius defended the orthodox Christian belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ, while Basil the Great was one of the founders of Eastern monasticism and emphasized simplicity and communal living.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early significant church fathers in Eastern Christianity include Athanasius and Basil. Athanasius (293-373 CE) was Bishop of Alexandria and played a crucial role in affirming the Divinity of Christ at the Council of Nicaea in 325. Basil the Great (329-379 CE) was the bishop of Caesarea and an influential theologian who contributed to the development of Eastern monasticism.
Athanasius defended the orthodox Christian belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. His writings and strong leadership helped secure the victory of Nicene Christianity over Arianism, which denied Christ's divinity. Basil the Great is known as one of the founders of Eastern monasticism. He established guidelines for monastic life, emphasizing simplicity, communal living, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. Basil's writings on spirituality, ethics, and liturgy continue to influence Eastern Christianity to this day.