This is a list of the Fathers of the Church, recognized by all major Christian denominations. They had the closest relationship to Jesus and the Apostles and were instrumental in holding the Church together during its early, often difficult and deeply moving journey to bring us the New Testament. Their teachings are authentic, and their insights into Scripture are consistently clear and profound. These are the classic Christian writings to study when exploring various scriptural topics from a Christian perspective. I’m confident you will appreciate their great work. In this brief list, you’ll find the titles of their most important writings.

Apostolic Fathers (1st–2nd Century)

• Clement of Rome (c. 35–99) – Rome, Italy
  Works: First Epistle to the Corinthians

• Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107) – Antioch, Syria
  Works: Letters to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and Polycarp

• Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–155) – Smyrna, Asia Minor
  Works: Epistle to the Philippians

• Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130) – Hierapolis, Phrygia
  Works: Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord (fragments)

• Hermas (fl. mid-2nd century) – Rome, Italy
  Works: The Shepherd of Hermas

• Barnabas (1st–2nd century) – Possibly Alexandria, Egypt
  Works: Epistle of Barnabas

• Mathetes (2nd century) – Unknown
  Works: Epistle to Diognetus

Greek Fathers (2nd–4th Century)

• Justin Martyr (c. 100–165) – Flavia Neapolis
  Works: First Apology, Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho

• Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202) – Smyrna, Asia Minor
  Works: Against Heresies, Proof of the Apostolic Preaching

• Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) – Athens, Greece
  Works: Protrepticus, Paedagogus, Stromata

• Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–254) – Alexandria, Egypt
  Works: On First Principles, Contra Celsum, Commentaries on Scripture

• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373) – Alexandria, Egypt
  Works: On the Incarnation, Life of Antony, Festal Letters

• Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329–390) – Nazianzus, Cappadocia
  Works: Theological Orations, Letters, Poems

• Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) – Nyssa, Cappadocia
  Works: Life of Moses, On the Soul and the Resurrection

• Basil the Great (c. 330–379) – Caesarea, Cappadocia
  Works: Hexaemeron, On the Holy Spirit, Letters

Latin Fathers (2nd–4th Century)

• Tertullian (c. 155–220) – Carthage, North Africa
  Works: Apology, Against Marcion, On the Soul, On the Flesh of Christ

• Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258) – Carthage, North Africa
  Works: On the Unity of the Church, Letters

• Lactantius (c. 250–325) – North Africa
  Works: Divine Institutes, On the Deaths of the Persecutors

• Ambrose of Milan (c. 339–397) – Trier, Germany
  Works: On the Duties of the Clergy, On the Holy Spirit

• Jerome (c. 347–420) – Stridon, Dalmatia
  Works: Vulgate (Bible translation), Letters, Lives of Illustrious Men

• Augustine of Hippo (354–430) – Thagaste, Numidia
  Works: Confessions, City of God, On the Trinity

Syriac Fathers (3rd–4th Century)

• Aphrahat (c. 280–345) – Persian Empire
  Works: Demonstrations

• Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306–373) – Nisibis, Mesopotamia
  Works: Hymns, Commentaries, Sermons

Other Notable Early Christian Writers

• Aristides of Athens (2nd century) – Athens, Greece
  Works: Apology

• Athenagoras of Athens (2nd century) – Athens, Greece
  Works: Plea for the Christians, On the Resurrection of the Dead

• Melito of Sardis (d. c. 180) – Sardis, Asia Minor
  Works: On the Pascha

• Theophilus of Antioch (d. c. 183) – Antioch, Syria
  Works: Apology to Autolycus

• Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170–235) – Rome, Italy
  Works: Refutation of All Heresies, Apostolic Tradition

• Novatian (d. c. 258) – Rome, Italy
  Works: On the Trinity

• Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339) – Caesarea, Palestine
  Works: Ecclesiastical History, Chronicle, Life of Constantine