Church Father | Christianity | Britannica (original) (raw)

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Also known as: Father of the Church

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Last Updated: Dec 31, 2024• Article History

Key People:

Erasmus

Adolf von Harnack

St. Maximus the Confessor

Related Topics:

Apologist

Apostolic Father

Cappadocian Father

Ante-Nicene Father

Post-Nicene Father

Church Father, any of the great bishops and other eminent Christian teachers of the early centuries whose writings remained as a court of appeal for their successors, especially in reference to controverted points of faith or practice. See patristic literature.