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