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The Apostolic Fathers: Complete Collection of Early Church Fathers, Including Shepherd of Hermas, Didache, Epistles of Ignatius, Martyrdom of Polycarp, Clement, Barnabas, Diognetus and Commentary
The earliest Christian voices—renewed in clear, modern English.— This edition gathers the complete writings traditionally known as the Apostolic Fathers—texts from the first generations after the apostles—paired with concise book introductions and unobtrusive commentary. Hear pastors, teachers, and martyrs speak on discipleship, unity, worship, leadership, charity, and perseverance.
What’s inside?
1 Clement, 2 Clement, The Didache, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, The Epistle to Diognetus, The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistle of Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, The Shepherd of Hermas
Why this edition?
Modern and Faithful— A smooth, accurate translation that preserves tone, texture, and scriptural resonance.
Guided Reading— Brief introductions orient you to authorship, date, setting, themes, and reception in the early church.
Concise Commentary— Targeted notes clarify names, allusions, and historical context without interrupting the flow.
Reader-First Design— Clean typography, consistent headings, and thoughtful spacing for devotion, classroom, or research.
Who is it for?
Readers, students, and scholars seeking a reliable, approachable gateway to the church’s earliest post-apostolic writings— essential for understanding how the first Christians taught, worshiped, organized, and lived the faith.
Encounter the Apostolic Fathers—complete and contemporary. Engage these foundational texts in a form that is clear, elegant, and grounded—an indispensable companion to Scripture and to the history of early Christianity.
What’s inside?
1 Clement, 2 Clement, The Didache, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, The Epistle to Diognetus, The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistle of Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, The Shepherd of Hermas
Why this edition?
Modern and Faithful— A smooth, accurate translation that preserves tone, texture, and scriptural resonance.
Guided Reading— Brief introductions orient you to authorship, date, setting, themes, and reception in the early church.
Concise Commentary— Targeted notes clarify names, allusions, and historical context without interrupting the flow.
Reader-First Design— Clean typography, consistent headings, and thoughtful spacing for devotion, classroom, or research.
Who is it for?
Readers, students, and scholars seeking a reliable, approachable gateway to the church’s earliest post-apostolic writings— essential for understanding how the first Christians taught, worshiped, organized, and lived the faith.
Encounter the Apostolic Fathers—complete and contemporary. Engage these foundational texts in a form that is clear, elegant, and grounded—an indispensable companion to Scripture and to the history of early Christianity.
- GenresReligion
130 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 14, 2026
This book showcases the writings of some of the Early Church Fathers, and also the Shepherd of Hermas, which was a favorite read of most of the people in the 2nd-Century to 4th-Century church. These writings give us a look into the early church: its teachings, structure, and worship. These are some of the earliest Christian writings we have outside the New Testament.
The publishers at Eterna Verba tell us that this is a complete collection of Early Church Fathers. However, this isn’t even a complete collection of 2nd-Century Church Fathers. There are no writings from Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, or the pieces of Papias. Yet, this is still a great collection and well worth the read for every Christian.
Much of what the Early Church Fathers wrote about was to combat heretics and proclaim the true teachings of Christianity. Many of these Fathers knew and learned from one or more of the Apostles. They form a “chain of custody” of Christian teachings past the New Testament.
This book was edited very well. I found no significant typos or grammatical errors. The Introduction lays a well-founded instruction into the life and culture of the early church. Also, each individual book has a small summary at the beginning that gives the approximate date, and what the book is about.
The publishers at Eterna Verba tell us that this is a complete collection of Early Church Fathers. However, this isn’t even a complete collection of 2nd-Century Church Fathers. There are no writings from Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, or the pieces of Papias. Yet, this is still a great collection and well worth the read for every Christian.
Much of what the Early Church Fathers wrote about was to combat heretics and proclaim the true teachings of Christianity. Many of these Fathers knew and learned from one or more of the Apostles. They form a “chain of custody” of Christian teachings past the New Testament.
This book was edited very well. I found no significant typos or grammatical errors. The Introduction lays a well-founded instruction into the life and culture of the early church. Also, each individual book has a small summary at the beginning that gives the approximate date, and what the book is about.
August 14, 2026
Shepherd of Hermas was recommended by an on-line class from the Institute of Catholic Culture: The Divine Office and Prayers of the Church. This book gave me that reading as well as several others so a real plus
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews