Which ECF is your favorite?

[Ame4]

I just started reading the ECFs.
If someone has one or more that they gleaned some helpful insight on something new or something that helped them understand something better and would like to post it, please do.

 

[Korah]

I just started reading the ECFs.
If someone has one or more that they gleaned some helpful insight on something new or something that helped them understand something better and would like to post it, please do.

Origen (185-254) was the first great Christian theologian. I am a convinced Origenist.
Korah

 

[MrPolo]

I just started reading the ECFs.
If someone has one or more that they gleaned some helpful insight on something new or something that helped them understand something better and would like to post it, please do.

First I want to say what a worthwhile endeavor I think you are undertaking.

I like Clement's letter to the Corinthians (ca 90 AD) and Irenaeus' Against Heresies (ca 170 AD) (especially Book III, chap 3) both of which speak of the Apostolic Succession of bishops that carried on the true faith of Jesus Christ. I am also quite fond of Vincent of Lerins' Commonitory (ca 420 AD) in which is discussed the nature of the transmission of divine revelation, including Tradition and the development of doctrine. Of course, it's hard to go wrong with Augustine, 4th-5th century---one of my favorite little stories of his is how he describes the conversion of the man Victorinus in Confessions, book VII, chapt 2.4. God bless you. It's hard to summarize only a few!

 

[MoeSzyslak]

What the others said. Plus one of my personal favorites is St. Clement of Alexandria.

 

[BrendanMark]

I haven't read one that hasn't moved, inspired or corrected/deepened my understanding and faith.

Those I've read most of and about include Maximus the Confessor, Gregory of Nazianzen, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria, Irenaeus of Lyon, Athanasius and Augustine.

Now the one thing truly blessed is the Divinity Itself. Whatever else we may suppose It to be, this pure life, the ineffable and incomprehensible good, is beatitude. It is beatitude, this inexpressible beauty which is very grace, wisdom, and power; this true light that is the fount of all goodness, mighty above all else; the one thing loveable which is always the same, rejoicing without end in infinite happiness. Even if one has said about It all one can, yet one has said nothing worthy of It. For the mind cannot reach that which IS; even if we continue to think ever more sublime thoughts about It, yet no word can express what is meant.

But as He who fashioned man made him in the image of God; in a derived sense that which is called by this name should also be held blessed, inasmuch as he participates in the true beatitude.
St Gregory of Nyssa – The Beatitudes – Sermon 1 [Ancient Christian Writers, 1956 Graef, Hilda C. trans. p. 87-88]

 

[judechild]

Try St. Cyril of Jerusalem and St. Justin Martyr!

 

[marlowe007]

Definitely not Tertullian, Irenaeus or Justin because they were chilialists (which I'm not).

I think my favorite would have to be Origen. He was probably more humble than Augustine, and even went as far as self-castration to maintain chastity.

 

[Christos Anesti]

It's so hard to choose! The early ( I guess that would depend on how you classify "early" though?) Father who made the biggest impact on my life would have to be Saint Isaac of Syria though. His writings pour forth the love and endless compassion of our Lord.

Here is a web page dedicated to him

A great article by the Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev on the Saint

My favorite modern Church Father would be Saint Seraphim of Sarov who is also my names Saint.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov:

 

[cheltham]

Eusebius

as a historian of early Christianity is one my favorites,

overall, the Christian Classics Ethereal Library is one of my favorite sites to visit (next to this one)

ccel.org

d

 

[Nicaea 325]

Justin Martyr rocks.

 

[laconicstudent]

I honestly don't know..... This should have been a poll lol.

hmmm for now I'd have to say St. Athanasius of Alexandria.

 

[wpbarrett]

I've read more of Justin Martyr than any of them, I would have to say him.

 

[Agonaces of Susa]

Clement of Alexandria

 

[CryptoLutheran]

It's so hard to choose! The early ( I guess that would depend on how you classify "early" though?) Father who made the biggest impact on my life would have to be Saint Isaac of Syria though. His writings pour forth the love and endless compassion of our Lord.

Here is a web page dedicated to him

A great article by the Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev on the Saint

My favorite modern Church Father would be Saint Seraphim of Sarov who is also my names Saint.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov:

At first I was thinking that the cut-off point would be 5th century-ish or so, so I was thinking along the lines of St. Ignatius of Antioch. However if St. Isaac counts, then I second this; St. Isaac has probably had the biggest impact on my faith of all the ancient Saints and Fathers.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Hairy Tic]

I just started reading the ECFs.
If someone has one or more that they gleaned some helpful insight on something new or something that helped them understand something better and would like to post it, please do.

As to the question in the title:

Just now, probably Arnobius of Sicca (c.300)

Also:

• Origen - definitely
• St. Clement of Rome
  
• St. Clement of Alexandria
• St. Ambrose of Milan
  
• Eusebius of Caesarea
  
• Minucius Felix
• Cyril of Jerusalem
• Egeria
• Firmicus Maternus
• Justin Martyr
• St. Epiphanius of Salamis
  
• Athenagoras
• Maximus Confessor
• St. Bede the Venerable

 

[Sphinx777]

Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose (c. between 337 and 340 – 4 April 397), was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He is counted as one of the four original doctors of the Church.

​

​

.​

 

[xuxana]

Saint Isaac of Syria. his writings on the Holy Spirit were bone chillingly amazing. he's not really super early christianity, tho. more like 7th century but still very, very pious man. also, my SP gave a lecture about St. Gregory Palamas a couple of weeks ago & it was about inner prayer & humility. it was really profound to me & helped me to understand what it means to be still in the Spirit.

 

[Christos Anesti]

If I have to go back to before the 5th Century then it would probably be St Anthony the Great then. Unless maybe we can pick one of the Church Fathers who were also Apostles then it would definitly by St John who wrote the best Gospel.

 

[Clement Alex]

I will have to second St Clement of Alexandria, since that is my user name just shortened. I would also put forth St John Cassian and all the Desert Fathers. I would also suggest the Martyrdom of St Polycarp as a great read.

 

[Christos Anesti]

Maybe St Ephrem the Syrian though. It's really hard to decide.