The way of the Fathers
How the Church Fathers spoke, acted, argued, lived and died, in their own words. 404 works in fresh English translations, free to read and hear.
Today · Against Idols
“Since the many cannot distinguish what is matter, what is God, or how much lies between them, they approach idols made of matter. Shall we, who distinguish and separate the uncreated from the created, true being from non-being, the intelligible from the sensible, and assign to each its proper name, also approach and…”
Athenagoras · fl. c. 177 AD · Plea for the Christians 15
Today’s Scripture
““What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.”
Isaiah 1:11 · BSB
Start with these
- The Epistle to DiognetusLetter to Diognetus · c. 150 ADlisten
- The Martyrdom of PolycarpChurch of Smyrna · c. 156 ADlisten
- On PrayerOrigen of Alexandria · c. 233–235 ADlisten
- On the Resurrection of the DeadAthenagoras · fl. c. 177 ADlisten
- Polycarp to the PhilippiansPolycarp of Smyrna · c. 69–c. 155 ADlisten
- Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?Clement of Alexandria · c. 150–c. 215 ADlisten
Via Patrum, the way of the Fathers
“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16
Two thousand years of Christian writing, most of it untranslated, out of print, or behind paywalls. We are putting all of it, every Father and every work, into fresh English translations and audio, so anyone can learn how the Fathers spoke, acted, argued, lived and died. Reading and listening here stay free for the whole world, forever.