Athanasius was born in the city of Balad in Upper Mesopotamia .
Athanasius was studied sciences , Syriac and Greek , with his friend Jacob , under the tutelage of Severus Sebokht at the Monastery of Qinnasrin .
Athanasius was born in the city of Balad in Upper Mesopotamia and studied sciences , Syriac and Greek , with his friend Jacob , under the tutelage of Severus Sebokht at the Monastery of Qinnasrin .