Fathers of the Church

(1) Five apostolic fathers, who were contemporary with the apostles—viz. Clement of Rome, Barʹnabas, Hermas, Ignaʹtius, and Polʹycarp.

(2) The primitive fathers. Those advocates of Christianity who lived in the first three centuries. They consisted of the five apostolic fathers (q.v.), together with the nine following:—Justin, Theophʹilus of Antioch, Irenæus, Clement of Alexandria, Cypʹrian of Carthage, Orʹigen, Gregory Thaumaturʹgus, Dionysius of Alexandria, and Tertullian.

(3) The fathers, or those of the fourth and fifth century, who were of two groups, those of the Greek and those of the Latin Church. (See below.)