Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers
Encyclopedia
A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, usually known as the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (NPNF), is a set of books containing translations of early Christian
writings into English. It was published between 1886 and 1900. Unlike the Ante-Nicene Fathers
which was produced by using earlier translations of the Ante-Nicene Christian Library (ANCL), the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers was printed simultaneously in Europe and in America, by T. & T. Clark, by Christian Literature Company and other American editors. T. & T. Clark]] was surely convinced by the commercial success of the cheaper American version/revision of the ANCL, although of lesser quality on some minor points. An American (in fact a German American), Philip Schaff
, was commissioned to supervise the first series of the NPNF. He was joined by the British Henry Wace
for the second series.
The volumes include the following:
Saint Augustine
St. Chrysostom
See also the Ante-Nicene Fathers
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
writings into English. It was published between 1886 and 1900. Unlike the Ante-Nicene Fathers
Ante-Nicene Fathers
The Ante-Nicene Fathers, subtitled "The Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325", is a collection of books in 10 volumes containing English translations of the majority of Early Christian writings. The period covers the beginning of Christianity until before the promulgation of the Nicene Creed...
which was produced by using earlier translations of the Ante-Nicene Christian Library (ANCL), the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers was printed simultaneously in Europe and in America, by T. & T. Clark, by Christian Literature Company and other American editors. T. & T. Clark]] was surely convinced by the commercial success of the cheaper American version/revision of the ANCL, although of lesser quality on some minor points. An American (in fact a German American), Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff , was a Swiss-born, German-educated Protestant theologian and a historian of the Christian church, who, after his education, lived and taught in the United States.-Biography:...
, was commissioned to supervise the first series of the NPNF. He was joined by the British Henry Wace
Henry Wace
The Very Reverend Henry Wace was Principal of King's College London and Dean of Canterbury...
for the second series.
The volumes include the following:
Saint AugustineAugustine of HippoAugustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
Volumes
- Volume I. Prolegomena: St. Augustine's Life and Work, ConfessionsConfessions (St. Augustine)Confessions is the name of an autobiographical work, consisting of 13 books, by St. Augustine of Hippo, written between AD 397 and AD 398. Modern English translations of it are sometimes published under the title The Confessions of St...
, Letters
- Volume II. The City of God, Christian Doctrine
- Volume III. On the Holy Trinity, Doctrinal Treatises, Moral Treatises
- On the TrinityOn the TrinityOn the Trinity is a Latin book written by Augustine of Hippo to discuss the Trinity in context of the logos.It is placed by him in his Retractations among the works written in AD 400. In letters of AD 410, AD 414, and at the end of AD 415, it is referred to as still unfinished and unpublished...
. The EnchiridionEnchiridion of AugustineThe Enchiridion, Manual, or Handbook of Augustine of Hippo is alternatively titled, "Faith, Hope, and Love". The Enchiridion is a compact treatise on Christian piety, written in response to a request by an otherwise unknown person, named Laurentius, shortly after the death of Saint Jerome in 420...
. On the Catechising of the Uninstructed. A Treatise on Faith and the Creed. Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen. On the Profit of Believing. On the Creed: a Sermon to the Catechumens. On Continence. On the Good of Marriage. Of Holy Virginity. On the Good of Widowhood. On Lying. Against Lying. Of the Work of Monks. On Patience. On Care to Be Had for the Dead.
- On the Trinity
- Volume IV. The Anti-Manichaean Writings, The Anti-Donatist Writings
- Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. On the Morals of the Manichaeans. Concerning Two Souls, Against the Manichaeans. Acts or Disputation Against Fortunatus, the Manichaean. Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Called Fundamental. Reply to Faustus the Manichaean (33 books). Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichaeans. On Baptism, Against the Donatists (7 books). In Answer to the Letters of Petilian, the Donatist, Bishop of Cirta (3 books). A Treatise Concerning the Correction of the Donatists.
- Volume V. Anti-Pelagian Writings
- On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants (3 books). On the Spirit and the Letter. On Nature and Grace, Against Pelagius. Concerning Man's Perfection in Righteousness. On the Proceedings of Pelagius. A Treatise on the Grace of Christ, and on Original Sin. On Marriage and Concupiscence (2 books). On the Soul and Its Origin (4 books). A Treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians (4 books). A Treatise on Grace and Free Will. Treatise on Rebuke and Grace. A Treatise on the Predestination of the Saints. A Treatise on the Gift of Perseverance, Being the Second Book of the Predestination of the Saints.
- Volume VI. Sermon on the Mount, Harmony of the Gospels, Homilies on the Gospels
- Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount. The Harmony of the Gospels. 97 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament.
- Volume VII. Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Soliloquies
- Tractates on John (124 tractates). Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Two Books of Soliloquies.
- Volume VIII. Expositions on the Psalms
St. ChrysostomJohn ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom , Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic...
Volumes
- Volume IX. On the Priesthood, ascetic Treatises, Select Homilies and Letters, Homilies on the Statues
- Treatise on the Priesthood. An Exhortation to Theodore After His Fall. Letter I. Letter II. Letter to a Young Widow. Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas. Eulogy. On the Holy Martyr, S. Babylas. Concerning Lowliness of Mind. Instructions to Catechumens. Three Homilies Concerning the Power of Demons. Against Marcionists and Manichaeans. Homily on the Paralytic Let Down Through the Roof. To Those Who Had Not Attended the Assembly. Homily Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren. On Eutropius, Patrician and Consul. Two Homilies on Eutropius. A Treatise to Prove that No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure Himself. Letters to Olympias. To Castus, Valerius, Diophantus, Cyriacus. Correspondence of St. Chrysostom, and the Church at Constantinople, with Innocent, Bishop of Rome. Homilies Concerning the Statues.
- Volume X. Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew
- Volume XI. Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans
- Volume XII. Homilies on First and Second Corinthians
- Volume XIII. Homilies on the Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon
- Volume XIV. Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II
- Volume I. EusebiusEusebius of CaesareaEusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon...
: Church History from A.D. 1-324, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine
- Volume II. SocratesSocrates ScholasticusSocrates of Constantinople, also known as Socrates Scholasticus, not to be confused with the Greek philosopher Socrates, was a Greek Christian church historian, a contemporary of Sozomen and Theodoret, who used his work; he was born at Constantinople c. 380: the date of his death is unknown...
: Church History from A.D. 305-438; Sozomenus: Church History from A.D. 323-425
- Volume III. TheodoretTheodoretTheodoret of Cyrus or Cyrrhus was an influential author, theologian, and Christian bishop of Cyrrhus, Syria . He played a pivotal role in many early Byzantine church controversies that led to various ecumenical acts and schisms...
, JeromeJeromeSaint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
and GennadiusGennadiusGennadius or Gennadios may refer to:*Gennadius I, Patriarch of Constantinople from 458-471 AD*Gennadius II, Patriarch of Constantinople from 1454-1464 AD*Gennadius of Massilia, 5th-century historian, best known for his work De Viris Illustribus...
, RufinusTyrannius RufinusTyrannius Rufinus or Rufinus of Aquileia was a monk, historian, and theologian. He is most known as a translator of Greek patristic material into Latin—especially the work of Origen.-Life:...
and Jerome
- Volume IV. AthanasiusAthanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
: Select Writings and Letters
- Volume V. Gregory of NyssaGregory of NyssaSt. Gregory of Nyssa was a Christian bishop and saint. He was a younger brother of Basil the Great and a good friend of Gregory of Nazianzus. His significance has long been recognized in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity...
: Dogmatic Treatises; Select Writings and Letters
- Volume VI. JeromeJeromeSaint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
: Letters and Select Works- Letters. The Life of Paulus the First Hermit. The Life of S. Hilarion. The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk. The Dialogue Against the Luciferians. The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary. Against Jovinianus. Against Vigilantius. To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem. Against the Pelagians. Prefaces. Translations from the Septuagint and Chaldee. The Commentaries.
- Volume VII. Cyril of JerusalemCyril of JerusalemCyril of Jerusalem was a distinguished theologian of the early Church . He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. In 1883, Cyril was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII...
, Gregory Nazianzen
- Volume VIII. Basil: Letters and Select Works
- Volume IX. Hilary of PoitiersHilary of PoitiersHilary of Poitiers was Bishop of Poitiers and is a Doctor of the Church. He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" and the "Athanasius of the West." His name comes from the Latin word for happy or cheerful. His optional memorial in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints is 13...
, John of DamascusJohn of DamascusSaint John of Damascus was a Syrian monk and priest...
- Volume X. AmbroseAmbroseAurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose , was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church.-Political career:Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family between about...
: Select Works and Letters- On the Duties of the Clergy. On the Holy Spirit. On the Decease of His Brother Saytrus. Exposition of the Christian Faith. On the Mysteries. Concerning Repentance. Concerning Virgins. Concerning Widows. Selections from the Letters of St. Ambrose. Memorial of Symmachus, Prefect of the City. Sermon Against Auxentius on the Giving Up of the Basilicas.
- Volume XI. Sulpicius SeverusSulpicius SeverusSulpicius Severus was a Christian writer and native of Aquitania. He is known for his chronicle of sacred history, as well as his biography of Saint Martin of Tours.-Life:...
, Vincent of LerinsVincent of LérinsSaint Vincent of Lérins was a Gallic author of early Christian writings.In earlier life he had been engaged in secular pursuits, whether civil or military is not clear, though the term he uses, "secularis militia," might possibly imply the latter...
, John Cassian
- Volume XII. Leo the GreatPope Leo IPope Leo I was pope from September 29, 440 to his death.He was an Italian aristocrat, and is the first pope of the Catholic Church to have been called "the Great". He is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452, persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy...
, Gregory the Great
- Volume XIII. Gregory the Great II, Ephraim SyrusEphrem the SyrianEphrem the Syrian was a Syriac and a prolific Syriac-language hymnographer and theologian of the 4th century. He is venerated by Christians throughout the world, and especially in the Syriac Orthodox Church, as a saint.Ephrem wrote a wide variety of hymns, poems, and sermons in verse, as well as...
, AphrahatAphrahatAphrahat was a Syriac-Christian author of the 4th century from the Adiabene region of Northern Mesopotamia, which was within the Persian Empire, who composed a series of twenty-three expositions or homilies on points of Christian doctrine and practice...
- Volume XIV. The Seven Ecumenical CouncilsFirst seven Ecumenical CouncilsIn the history of Christianity, the first seven Ecumenical Councils, from the First Council of Nicaea to the Second Council of Nicaea , represent an attempt to reach an orthodox consensus and to establish a unified Christendom as the State church of the Roman Empire...
See also the Ante-Nicene Fathers
Ante-Nicene Fathers
The Ante-Nicene Fathers, subtitled "The Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325", is a collection of books in 10 volumes containing English translations of the majority of Early Christian writings. The period covers the beginning of Christianity until before the promulgation of the Nicene Creed...
.
External links
- The full text of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers is freely available at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library and the Tertullian Project.