Who were the Early Church Fathers, why are they important in Christian history, & why are they relevant today? Overview & introduction

Their technique of guarding the heart bears some similarities with today's use of meditation.

Pope Leo I the Great Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Leo I (400 – 461), also known as Leo the Great, was bishop of Rome from 440 until his death. He was the first pope to have been called "the Great" and is also a Doctor of the Church. Theologically, he is most remembered for issuing the

Pope Leo I the Great Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Leo I (400 – 461), also known as Leo the Great, was bishop of Rome from 440 until his death. He was the first pope to have been called "the Great" and is also a Doctor of the Church. Theologically, he is most remembered for issuing the

icon in the Coptic style of very early desert fathers -- Anthony, John and Makari.

Theodore Abū Qurrah Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Theodore Abū Qurrah (750-825 A.D.) was a 9th-century Bishop and theologian who lived in the early Islamic period. Theodore was of the Melkite tradition, those Eastern Christian churches of the Byzantine Rite that originated in the Middle East and upheld the Christological positions of the Council of Chalcedon. He was the Chalcedonian Bishop

St. Athanasius of Alexandria quotes from Athanasius of Alexandria: → Previous Next Athanasius of Alexandria was the 20th bishop of Alexandria, a Church Father, and the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism. Athanasius is considered one of the four great Eastern Doctors of the Church in the Catholic Church. Conflict with Arius and Arianism as well

Pope Leo I the Great Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Leo I (400 – 461), also known as Leo the Great, was bishop of Rome from 440 until his death. He was the first pope to have been called "the Great" and is also a Doctor of the Church. Theologically, he is most remembered for issuing the

Pope Leo I the Great Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Leo I (400 – 461), also known as Leo the Great, was bishop of Rome from 440 until his death. He was the first pope to have been called "the Great" and is also a Doctor of the Church. Theologically, he is most remembered for issuing the

“Purgatory shows God’s great mercy and washes away the defects of those who long to become one with Him.” – St. Josemaria Escriva When is the last time you heard a homily on purgatory? If your parish is like most, it’s been a very long time. Getting more personal, when is the last time you […]

St. Gregory of Nazianzus quotes from Gregory of Nazianzus:→ Previous Next Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390) was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, and theologian. Gregory is well known for his Trinitarian theology and is sometimes called the "Trinitarian Theologian". His theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the

Proclus of Constantinople Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Proclus of Constantinople (died 446) was an archbishop of Constantinople. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodoxy. Saint Proclus was the friend and disciple of Saint John Chrysostom who ordained him deacon and priest. In 429, on a festival of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), Proclus preached his celebrated sermon on the Incarnation, which was

St. Augustine of Hippo Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian

St. Augustine of Hippo Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian

WE are approaching, not the end of the world, but the end of this age. How, then, will this present era end? Many of the popes have written in prayerful anticipation of a coming age when the Church will establish her spiritual reign to the ends of the earth. But it is clear from

Pope St. Clement I of rome quotes from Pope Clement I of Rome→ Previous Next Saint Clement I of Rome is listed by Irenaeus and Tertullian as the fourth Pope, or bishop of Rome, holding office from 88 AD to his death in 99 AD. He is said to have been consecrated by Peter the Apostle and is

Let your focus on Him do the talking and you will find that place of rest.

Saint Jerome quotes from Saint Jerome:→ Previous Next Saint Jerome (342-420 A.D.), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was known for his teaching on asceticism, Christian morals, and the monastic life and is also recognized as one of the eight Great Doctors of the Church. He is, however, probably best known for his translation of the

Rufinus of Aquileia quotes from Rufinus of Aquileia:→ Previous Next Rufinus of Aquileia (344-411), also known as Tyrannius Rufinus, was a monk, historian, and theologian. Around 370, he was living in a monastic community in Aquileia, Italy, when he met Saint Jerome. In about 372, Rufinus followed Jerome to the eastern Mediterranean, where he studied in

Pope Leo I the Great Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Leo I (400 – 461), also known as Leo the Great, was bishop of Rome from 440 until his death. He was the first pope to have been called "the Great" and is also a Doctor of the Church. Theologically, he is most remembered for issuing the

Proclus of Constantinople Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Proclus of Constantinople (died 446) was an archbishop of Constantinople. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodoxy. Saint Proclus was the friend and disciple of Saint John Chrysostom who ordained him deacon and priest. In 429, on a festival of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), Proclus preached his celebrated sermon on the Incarnation, which was

Pope Hormisdas Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Pope Hormisdas (450 - 523) was the bishop of Rome from 20 July 514 to his death. Upon becoming pope, one of Hormisdas' first actions was to remove the last vestiges of the schism in Rome, receiving back into the Church those adherents of the Laurentian party who

St. Basil the Great quotes from Basil of Caesarea:→ Previous Next Saint Basil the Great, also called Basil of Caesarea, was a Byzantine bishop in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, such as Arianism. Basil was known for his care of the poor and

St. Augustine of Hippo Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian

St. Theodore the Studite Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Theodore the Studite (759–826), also known as Theodorus Studita, was a Byzantine Greek monk and abbot of the Stoudios Monastery in Constantinople. In 794, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI (r. 776–797) decided to separate from his first wife, Maria of Amnia, and to marry Maria's kubikularia (Lady-in-waiting), Theodote, a cousin of Theodore the Studite. The marriage of

St. Peter Chrysologus Scroll for quotes→ Previous Next Peter Chrysologus (380-450) meaning "Peter the Golden-worded", was Bishop of Ravenna from about 433 until his death. He is known as the “Doctor of Homilies” for the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as the Bishop of Ravenna. He is revered as a saint by