Does anyone here patristics, or they who are called "Church fathers"? I'm not sure if it's popular among protestant circles, but among Roman catholic and Orthodox circles it's very important. If anyone here has read anything (aside from, say, Augustine) that might be considered patristics? Stuff like Origen, John Chrysostom, Athanasius, Basil The Great, the Desert Fathers, etc? If so, what were your thoughts?

Some of it (their writings) are quite interesting. I'm working through a book of the writings of early church fathers right now. I'm reading Ignatius's letter to the Magnesians, which is very good. Very personal feel to it. I don't take them as canon or authoritative, but I've learned a lot from these guys.

The patristic writings are a brilliant primary source for the belief and practice of the early church, continued to this day (zomp flamewar begins) by the Catholic Church, particularly so in liturgical practice by the Eastern Catholic Churches.

I've read most of the letters by Ignatius of Antioch (essential as he was a leader in the early church of Antioch who quite likely knew John and is reported to have been ordained by Peter and/or John---also he was eaten by lions) as well as sections of Irenaeus's Against Heretics, selections from Clement of Alexandria (Stromota), Cyril of Jerusalem, Maximus the Confessor (not found in Western collections but readily available in the Philokalia),
Polycarp, I Clement (essential for seeing early mention of general idea of Apostolic succession--also likely a friend of Paul's mentioned in Philippians 4), selections from Eusebius' history, Hippolytus of Rome, the historian Socrates (NOT the philosopher who was before the time of Christ), bits from the Cappadocians (Basil, Gregory Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom), Augustine (of course), and a bit from some others here and there. Definitely useful in exploring what the early Church throught about certain issues and such. You can find most of the writings for these online at newadvent.org--just go there and look to the right for the tab for "Fathers."

A small word of caution: it may be useful to distinguish those who were canonized as saints from those who were not. For example, Origen had ideas which were later deemed heretical, as did Tertullian though I believe both died in good standing with the Church after having some difficulties. Those who are saints though not inerrant,
are safer overall though the others are still very important in understanding early Church discussions etc.

Glad someone is interested in these, graybeardheadbanger

"Saints from Home"

Consider the other adult parents in your neighborhood
who watched the children play at their house.

They were trusted to look after your children for
a lot of the time that the Kids were home from school.

It was a neighborhood of joy and peace and safety to play in.

"Sinners and Saints," I always got positive impressions of my
friend's parents.

Oh yes, there was one alcoholic family on the block.
They had no church religion, no Sunday practice.

So I got some negative peer pressure from their son.
The son had kids of his own to raise at age twenty one.

I will never know on this earth, if I will be a good parent.
I'm Grand Father age now 48. Yet I hope for kids in Heaven some day.

The people who have come and gone among my family and freinds
are God's children. Thus my children also.
God Bless you! And be fruitful and multiply.

" A Catholic Metal.com site has started. Your welcome!