CHURCH FATHERSApostolic, Latin, Greek, and

Cappadocian

Apostolic Fathers Apostolic Fathers are the earliest Church

Fathers. Taught by the Apostles and continuing their ministry.

Key figures: Ignatius of Antioch Clement of Rome Polycarp of Smyrna

Latin Fathers

Latin Fathers are so called because they wrote in Latin

Key figures: Tertullian

Battled Gnosticism (specifically Marcionism) Cyprian of Carthage

Battled Novatian at Synod of Carthage in 251 Lapsi being readmitted to Church

St. Jerome Translated the Bible into Latin

Called the Vulgate Ambrose of Milan St. Augustine of Hippo

Greek Fathers

Greek Fathers are so called because they wrote in Greek

Key Figures: Irenaeus of Lyon

Battled Gnosticism in Against Heresies Athanasius of Alexandria

Battled Arianism at Council of Nicea and afterwards

Cyril of Alexandria John Chrysostom Cappadocian Fathers

Cappadocian Fathers The Cappadocian Fathers are Greek Fathers

who were monastics in Cappadocia (modern central Turkey). They were very influential in developing the doctrine of the Trinity

Key Figures: Gregory of Nyssa Gregory of Nazianzus

Defended the divinity of the Holy Spirit against the Arians at Constantinople (381)

Basil the Great

Doctors of the Church Doctor of the Church is a title given to individuals

who offered a particularly influential contribution to theology or doctrine.

There are 35 doctors of the Church Key figures for the period we are studying:

St. Ambrose (Latin Father) St. Augustine (Latin Father) St. Jerome (Latin Father) St. John Chrysostom (Greek Father) St. Basil the Great (Cappadocian) St. Gregory Nazianzus (Cappadocian) St. Athanasius of Alexandria (Greek Father) St. Cyril of Alexandria (Greek Father) Pope St. Leo I (sometimes considered a Latin Father)