Fathers & Doctors of the church

St Augustine

greatest of the fathers of the church prolific for his writings lived a very immoral life converted in early 30's St. Monica (his mother) prayed for his conversion we learn 2 things from him 1) never too late for someone to convert 2) we see the power of intercessory prayer

intercessory

a prayer for someone else

St. Athanasius

bishop of Alexandria, Egypt Arian heresy (false teaching)- Jesus was not truly God was to be exiled for 17 yrs->said Arianism is wrong introduced Monasticism in the west importance: being courageous by our faith remember God will provide-trust in God

St. Basil

bishop of Caesarea (began) father of eastern Monasticism importance: living together in community, striving towards Christianity together

St. Gregory Nazianzus

bishop of Constantinople "The Theologian" "What has no been assumed has no been healed" Importance: 1) looking for the good in everyone 2) defending the entirety of faith

St. John Chrysostom

exiled because his true faith (died on his way to exile) in charge of Constantinople *If we live as Christians, we should expect to be treated like Christ

St. Jerome

greatest achievement: translation of the whole bible to latin *didn't know hebrew->moved to Jerusalem to learn "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ" *he helps us realize the importance of scripture* zealous

Qualifications of Doctors

'to be' about 35 doctors of the church 1) holiness of life 2) orthodox in their teaching 3) male or female 4) no restriction to when they lived 5) (churches) declares as a doctor 6) need to make a profound theological contribution to the church

Qualifications for Fathers

-about 100 fathers of the church 1) holiness of life 2) orthodox in their teaching -someone who follows/agrees with teachings of the church 3) male 4) lived early in history of church 5) declared as fathers

St Gregory the Great

1st Benedict Pope Gregorian chant->took liturgy seriously we learn.. importance of humility his deep love for liturgy

Catherine of Sienna

3rd older dominican; Italian

Hildegard of Bingen

Benedictine; German

St Ambrose

Bishop of Milan; preaching was instrumental to converting Augusta; told state doesn't control church *moral: faith over politics -- reminds us of the power of preached word of God *this converted Augustine

Theresa of Lisieux

Carmelite; France

St. Theresa of Avila

Carmelite; Spanish

4 Great Doctors of the West (Latin Speakers)

St Ambrose St Jerome St Augustine St Gregory the Great

4 Great Doctors of the East (greek speakers)

St. Athanasius St Basil St Gregory Nazianzus St. John Chrysostom