Post-Nicene Fathers Christianity in the 5th century

1 post-nicene fathers

1.1 greek fathers
1.2 cappadocian fathers
1.3 cyril of alexandria
1.4 john chrysostom
1.5 latin fathers
1.6 jerome
1.7 augustine of hippo

post-nicene fathers

augustine

late antique christianity produced great many renowned fathers wrote volumes of theological texts, including augustine, gregory nazianzus, cyril of jerusalem, ambrose of milan, jerome, , others. resulted golden age of literary , scholarly activity. of these fathers, such john chrysostom , athanasius, suffered exile, persecution, or martyrdom heretical byzantine emperors. many of writings translated english in compilations of nicene , post-nicene fathers.

the church fathers, church fathers, or fathers of church , influential theologians , writers in christian church, particularly of first 5 centuries of christian history. term used of writers , teachers of church, not saints. teachers particularly known doctors of church, although athanasius called them men of little intellect.

st. athanasius, depicted book, iconographic symbol of importance of writings.


greek fathers

those wrote in greek called greek (church) fathers. famous greek fathers include: irenaeus of lyons, clement of alexandria, heterodox origen, athanasius of alexandria, john chrysostom, cyril of alexandria , cappadocian fathers (basil of caesarea, gregory nazianzus, peter of sebaste , gregory of nyssa.

cappadocian fathers

the cappadocians promoted christian theology , highly respected in both western , eastern churches saints. 4th-century monastic family led saint macrina younger provide central place brothers study , meditate, , provide peaceful shelter mother. abbess macrina fostered education , development of 3 men collectively became designated cappadocian fathers: basil great second oldest of macrina s brothers (the first being famous christian jurist naucratius) , became bishop; gregory of nyssa became bishop of diocese associated thereafter name; , peter of sebaste youngest of makrina s brothers , later became bishop of sebaste.

these scholars along gregory nazianzus set out demonstrate christians hold own in conversations learned greek-speaking intellectuals , christian faith, while against many of ideas of plato , aristotle (and other greek philosophers), scientific , distinctive movement healing of soul of man , union god @ center—one best represented monasticism. made major contributions definition of trinity finalized @ first council of constantinople in 381 , final version of nicene creed formulated there.

subsequent first council of nicea, arianism did not disappear. semi-arians taught son of substance father (homoiousios), against outright arians taught son unlike father (heterousian). son held father not of same essence father. cappadocians worked bring these semi-arians orthodox cause. in writings made extensive use of formula 3 substances (hypostases) in 1 essence (homoousia), , explicitly acknowledged distinction between father , son (a distinction nicea had been accused of blurring) @ same time insisting on essential unity.

cyril of alexandria

cyril of alexandria bishop of alexandria when city @ height of influence , power within roman empire. cyril wrote extensively , leading protagonist in christological controversies of later 4th, , 5th centuries. central figure in first council of ephesus. cyril counted among church fathers , doctors of church, , reputation within christian world has resulted in titles pillar of faith , seal of fathers .

john chrysostom

john chrysostom, archbishop of constantinople, known eloquence in preaching , public speaking, denunciation of abuse of authority both ecclesiastical , political leaders, divine liturgy of st. john chrysostom, , ascetic sensibilities. after death (or according sources, during life) given greek surname chrysostomos, meaning golden mouthed , rendered in english chrysostom.

chrysostom known within christianity chiefly preacher, theologian, , liturgist, particularly in eastern orthodox church. outside christian tradition chrysostom noted 8 of sermons played considerable part in history of christian antisemitism , extensively misused nazis in ideological campaign against jews.

latin fathers

those fathers wrote in latin called latin (church) fathers. these include tertullian (who later in life converted montanism), cyprian of carthage, gregory great, augustine of hippo, ambrose of milan, , jerome.

jerome

saint jerome best known translator of bible greek , hebrew latin. christian apologist. jerome s edition of bible, vulgate, still important text of roman catholic church. recognised roman catholic church doctor of church.

augustine of hippo

saint augustine, bishop of hippo regius, philosopher , theologian. augustine 1 of important figures in development of western christianity. augustine radically influenced platonism. framed concepts of original sin , war understood in west. when rome fell , faith of many christians shaken, augustine developed concept of church spiritual city of god, distinct material city of man. augustine s work defined start of medieval worldview, outlook later firmly established pope gregory great.

augustine born in present-day algeria christian mother, saint monica. educated in north africa , resisted mother s pleas become christian. took concubine , became manichean. later converted christianity, became bishop, , opposed heresies, such belief people can deserve salvation being good. works—including confessions, called first western autobiography—are still read around world. in addition believed in papal supremacy.