Apostolic Fathers of the Church

Catholic Christians believe that the promise of the Spirit of Truth to guide believers in truth is found in the constant faith of the Church preserved in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. The term "Apostolic Fathers" applies to certain disciples and successors of the twelve apostles. In a more restricted sense, the term is applied to a group of Greek-language writers who were among the martyrs and major figures of the 1st and 2nd centuries in the Christian Church.

Clement I, St. (Clement of Rome)

Personal

4th Bishop of Rome

Place and dates

r. 92 - 101

Writings

I Clement or Letter to the Corinthians (c. 96): earliest piece of literature outside the NT historically attested; addressed disputes in the Church at Corinth;
II Clement (a sermon)(c. 140): Clementine authorship disputed

Personal

Martyr for the faith
Disciple of John the Evangelist
Condemned to die by wild beasts in Rome
Brought from Antioch to Rome and wrote seven letters to churches and individuals along the way

Place and dates

d. 110

Writings

Letter to Ephesians
Letter to Magnesians
Letter to Tralles
Letter to Philadelphians
Letter to Smyrnans
Letter to Polycarp of Smryna
Letter to Romans
These contain warnings against heretical doctrines; contain detailed summaries of doctrines; and a picture of Church organization with bishops, presbyters (elders) and deacons
First to stress Virgin Birth and to use the term "catholic church"

Personal

Received a visit and letter from Ignatius
Represented the Church of Asia Minor in meetings with Pope Anicetus
Dating of Easter
A teacher of Irenaeus
Knew John the Evangelist and other apostles
Was a disciple of John the Evangelist

Place and dates

69-155

Writings

Polycarp to the Philipians
Martyrdom of Polycarp (about him)

Personal

Unknown

Place and dates

(Syria) 70-110?

Writings

Didache ("Teaching"):
A compendium of moral precepts, instructions on organization of church communities, liturgical worship and regulation.
It contains oldest Eucharistic prayer, directions on Baptism, fasting, prayer, treatment of bishops, deacons, prophets

Personal

Surname of Joseph, a member of the early Christian church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36)
Companion of Paul
Did missionary work with Mark (Acts 15:39)

Place and dates

c. 130

Writings

Letter of Barnabas
Allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament

Personal

Contemporary of Polycarp
Knew of a collection of the "sayings of the Lord" to have been written in Aramaic or Hebrew by Matthew

Place and dates

(Phrygia) 120?

Writings

Five Books of Exegeses of the Dominical Oracles:
Quoted by Irenaeus
Witness to the existence of Jewish Christianity

Personal

Little known

Place and dates

(Rome) 140?

Writings

Mandates
Similitudes
The Shepherd: a vivid description of early Christianity

Last Updated: January 3, 1997