Introduction to Patrology

Introduction to Patrology
What is Patrology?
Who is a Father of the Church?
Why Study the Church Fathers?
How to read their Writings?

1. PatrologyPatrology
Talk 1: Introduction to PatrologyTalk 1: Introduction to Patrology
1Cor 4:15 1Cor 4:15 “For although you have ten thousand “For although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers. instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers.
For in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel, I have For in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel, I have
begotten you.”begotten you.”
Pre Servants Program 2009-2010 Pre Servants Program 2009-2010
Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

2. 18th April 2010 Patrology 2
OutlineOutline
•What is Patrology?What is Patrology?
•Who is a Father of the Church?Who is a Father of the Church?
•Why Study the Church Fathers?Why Study the Church Fathers?
•How to read their Writings?How to read their Writings?

3. 18th April 2010 Patrology 3
What is PatrologyWhat is Patrology
The word “Patrology” is derived from the Latin word “Pater” which
means “Father.”
•We are used to calling authors of the Early Christian writings We are used to calling authors of the Early Christian writings
the ‘Fathers of the Church’.the ‘Fathers of the Church’.
1Cor 4:15 1Cor 4:15 “For although you have ten thousand instructors in “For although you have ten thousand instructors in
Christ, yet you have not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, Christ, yet you have not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus,
through the Gospel, I have begotten you.”through the Gospel, I have begotten you.”
•When a man learns from the mouth of another, it is said that he
is the son of the person who teaches him, and the latter is
called his father. [St. Irenaeus – Adv. Haer. 4,41,2]
•The speech is the son of the soul, therefore we call those who
teach us our fathers. [St. Clement of Alexandria – Strom 1,1, 2-
2,1]

4. 18th April 2010 Patrology 4
What is PatrologyWhat is Patrology
•Patrology is the study or science of the Patrology is the study or science of the Church FathersChurch Fathers
–1) The life of the Fathers: In order to understand their writings and sayings, their
lives and the environment in which they lived, must also be considered.
–2) Their acts: The writings, sermons, dialogues, letters, etc. of the Fathers are
inseparable from their own lives. Patrology’s message is to be sure of the
authenticity of these acts scientifically, publishing them and translating them in
modern languages.
–3) More importantly is the discovery of the thoughts of the Fathers, their
dogma, doctrines and concepts concerning God, man, church, salvation,
worship, creation, the body, the heavenly life, etc.
Patrology is the door through which we can enter into the church and attain her
spirit, which affects our inner life, conduct and behavior. Through Patrology, the
acts of the Fathers are transferred into living thoughts and concepts which are
based on a sound foundation, without ignoring the world around us.
[Fr. T.Malaty The Apostolic Fathers]

5. 18th April 2010 Patrology 5
Who is a Father of the Church? - Necessary QualificationsWho is a Father of the Church? - Necessary Qualifications
For us we only regard ‘Fathers of the Church’ as those who have For us we only regard ‘Fathers of the Church’ as those who have
four necessary qualifications, these are:four necessary qualifications, these are:
•Orthodoxy of DoctrineOrthodoxy of Doctrine – The correctness of their teachings – The correctness of their teachings
around: Theology - the nature of Christ and The Holy Trinity, around: Theology - the nature of Christ and The Holy Trinity,
the Church - its Sacraments and life, The Bible and faith.the Church - its Sacraments and life, The Bible and faith.
•Holiness of lifeHoliness of life – “...but whosoever shall do and teach them – “...but whosoever shall do and teach them
the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
(Matt 5:19b)(Matt 5:19b)
•Church AcceptanceChurch Acceptance – The Church needs to acknowledge – The Church needs to acknowledge
her sons for them to be considered teachers.her sons for them to be considered teachers.
•AntiquityAntiquity – Closeness to the Lord and His Apostles. In the – Closeness to the Lord and His Apostles. In the
Oriental Orthodox Churches this dates a little after the council Oriental Orthodox Churches this dates a little after the council
of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. of Chalcedon in 451 A.D.

6. 18th April 2010 Patrology 6
Who are the Church Fathers?Who are the Church Fathers?
The Church Fathers in general are the The Church Fathers in general are the Teachers of the faithTeachers of the faith
among them being the members of the ecumenical councils among them being the members of the ecumenical councils
which defined the doctrine of the church against heresies. They which defined the doctrine of the church against heresies. They
are:are:
•The The Apostolic FathersApostolic Fathers – those who were in touch with the – those who were in touch with the
apostles, such as St. Clement of Rome (disciple of St. Peter, apostles, such as St. Clement of Rome (disciple of St. Peter,
St. Ignatius of Antioch (disciple of St. John), or St. Polycarp of St. Ignatius of Antioch (disciple of St. John), or St. Polycarp of
Smyrna (disciple of St. John and other apostles)Smyrna (disciple of St. John and other apostles)
•The ApologistsThe Apologists who defended Christianity against amongst who defended Christianity against amongst
others: the pagans, the educated classes, the Jews, the rulers others: the pagans, the educated classes, the Jews, the rulers
and authorities of their day. Among them are St. Justin Martyr, and authorities of their day. Among them are St. Justin Martyr,
St. Athenagoras and St. Irenaeus. St. Athenagoras and St. Irenaeus.

7. 18th April 2010 Patrology 7
Who are the Church Fathers?Who are the Church Fathers?
•The The Ecumenical TeachersEcumenical Teachers – Like St. Athanasius the – Like St. Athanasius the
Apostolic, St. Cyril the Great, St. Basil, St. Gregory the Apostolic, St. Cyril the Great, St. Basil, St. Gregory the
Theologian, in the east St. John of the Golden Mouth, Theologian, in the east St. John of the Golden Mouth,
Keprianos, Ambrose, Jerome, and St. Augustine of Keprianos, Ambrose, Jerome, and St. Augustine of
Hippo in the West.Hippo in the West.
•The ConfessorsThe Confessors – who taught, were persecuted for – who taught, were persecuted for
their faith and persevered through it like St. Dioscorus their faith and persevered through it like St. Dioscorus
and St. Severus of Antioch.and St. Severus of Antioch.
•The The early fathers of monasticismearly fathers of monasticism who lived the who lived the
purity of the faith and of its teachings in addition to purity of the faith and of its teachings in addition to
monasticism like St. Anthony the great, St. monasticism like St. Anthony the great, St.
Pachomious of the Kononia, St. Macarius the Great, Pachomious of the Kononia, St. Macarius the Great,
St. Shenouda, St. Isidore Pelusiam.St. Shenouda, St. Isidore Pelusiam.

8. 18th April 2010 Patrology 8
Why Study the Church Fathers?Why Study the Church Fathers?

9. 18th April 2010 Patrology 9
How should we read their writingsHow should we read their writings
1.We must not rely on the writings of a single Father, because no one is
capable of acknowledging the “truth” in its entirety. We only accept the
opinion of a Father, if it is in harmony with the Bible and the church tradition.
2.We must not rely on one or more separate quotation from the acts of any
Father, but rather study all his thoughts and understand the quotations
within his whole work. We must also consider the circumstances and the
church environment, at that time. We must not single out one or more
quotations to form our own opinion.
3.We must study the meaning of the terms which a Father had used.
Sometimes they had certain contemporary philosophical or popular
concepts of the era. Some Fathers used the same pagan or heretic terms of
that time, especially when they wrote to certain worldly groups. They wrote
to them, using their (pagan) own terms, language and concepts.
4.It is very useful to study the meaning of some difficult terms by comparing
them with the same terms used by their contemporary Fathers.
[Fr. T.Malaty The Apostolic Fathers]

10. 18th April 2010 Patrology 9
How should we read their writingsHow should we read their writings
1.We must not rely on the writings of a single Father, because no one is
capable of acknowledging the “truth” in its entirety. We only accept the
opinion of a Father, if it is in harmony with the Bible and the church tradition.
2.We must not rely on one or more separate quotation from the acts of any
Father, but rather study all his thoughts and understand the quotations
within his whole work. We must also consider the circumstances and the
church environment, at that time. We must not single out one or more
quotations to form our own opinion.
3.We must study the meaning of the terms which a Father had used.
Sometimes they had certain contemporary philosophical or popular
concepts of the era. Some Fathers used the same pagan or heretic terms of
that time, especially when they wrote to certain worldly groups. They wrote
to them, using their (pagan) own terms, language and concepts.
4.It is very useful to study the meaning of some difficult terms by comparing
them with the same terms used by their contemporary Fathers.
[Fr. T.Malaty The Apostolic Fathers]