Lesson 7 - The Church Fathers

The Church Fathers are the writings generally from the 1st through the 5th (but sometimes 8th) centuries, also called the Patristic Era, that comprise the intellectual and doctrinal foundations of the Church. In the Eastern tradition we especially recognize the Three Holy Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, for their leadership of the Church, but they are certainly not alone. The Apostolic Fathers, writing in the first few centuries after Christ are some of the most foundational of these, and include figures like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch (for whom Fr. Iggy is named), Polycarp of Smyrna, Clement of Alexandria, and others. For this week, I would like for you to select a few of these Fathers, and read a few of their works - you can find all of them online here.