St. Ambrose: Select Works and Letters

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series #10

by Ambrose of Milan (Editor), Philip Schaff (Editor)

Book by

Genres: Theology

504 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1980

About the author

born perhaps 340

Saint , bishop of Milan from 374, wrote, composed, and imposed orthodoxy on the early Christian Church.

This ecclesiastical figure of the 4th century most influenced. He served as consular prefect of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered, before popular acclamation. Ambrose staunchly opposed Arianism, and people accused him of fostering persecutions of Jews and pagans.

Tradition credits Ambrose with promoting "antiphonal chant", a style in which one side of the choir responds alternately, as well as Veni redemptor gentium, a hymn of Advent.

Ambrose ranks of the four original doctors of the Church, and the patron. He notably influenced Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this volume, after years of reading it in small chunks! Well worth the effort. Although Ambrose misses some things (like extolling virginity at the expense of the glory and goodness of marriage), he has a wealth of spiritual and practical insight.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights were "On the Duties of the Clergy", "On the Death of Satyrus - a moving memorial panegyric to his brother, the warm conviction of "On Repentance", and the famous correspondence with Theodosius, although Ambrose's response to the burning of a synagogue by some monks left a great deal to be desired.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I come once again to those books where I am not nearly qualified to review nor spend enough time in detailed reading to review. These free PDFs available online and are excellent resources for those interested in the church fathers and definitely an excellent resource for those studying anything to do with the period. These few words will have to suffice.