AskACatholic.com - Meet the First Christians Page

	Saint Ignatius of Antioch 50-107AD Syrian; ecclesiastical writer, bishop, martyr Wrote several very early Church documents. Ignatius uses the word "Catholic" in his letter to the Smyrnaeans. Epistle to the Ephesians (Short Version) Epistle to the Magnesians (Short Version) Epistle to the Trallians (Short Version) Epistle to the Romans (Short Version) Epistle to the Philadelphians (Short Version) Epistle to the Smyrnaeans(Short Version) Epistle to Polycarp (Short Version) Epistle to Polycarp (Long Version) Epistle to Polycarp (Syrian Version) Second Epistle to the Ephesians (Syrian) Third Epistle (Syrian) The Martyrdom of Ignatius Epistle to the Tarsians (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to the Antiochians (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to Hero a Deacon of Antioch (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to the Philippians (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle of Maria the Proselyte to Ignatius (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to Mary at Neapolis (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to St. John the Apostle (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to St. John (Pseudo-Ignatius) Epistle to the Virgin Mary (Pseudo-Ignatius)

	St. Clement of Rome, 4th Pope of the Catholic Church 60-99AD pope: (88-97) Roman; pope, martyr. The oldest extant Christian homily we have is attributed to him: Second letter of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians (150) First Epistle Second Epistle [SPURIOUS] Two Epistles Concerning Virginity [SPURIOUS] Recognitions --Preface; Books: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X [SPURIOUS]

	St. Polycarp of Smyrna 69-165AD Asia Minor; bishop, defender of orthodoxy, martyr Epistle to the Philippians The Martyrdom of Polycarp

	St. Justin Martyr 100-165AD Samaritan; philosopher, apologist, martyr First Apology Second Apology Dialogue with Trypho Hortatory Address to the Greeks On the Sole Government of God Fragments of the Lost Work on the Resurrection Miscellaneous Fragments from Lost Writings Martyrdom of Justin, Chariton, and other Roman Martyrs Discourse to the Greeks

	St. Irenaeus of Lyons 125-203AD Asia Minor; bishop, missionary, theologian, defender of orthodoxy Adversus haereses Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus

	Tertullian160-230AD North African; ecclesiastical writer, Christian apologist, son of a centurion and trained as a lawyer in Rome. Pagan for half his life. The Apology (Apologeticus) On Idolatry De Spectaculis (The Shows) De Corona (The Chaplet) To Scapula Ad Nationes (To the Nations) Ad Martyras (A Fragment) An Answer to the Jews The Soul's Testimony A Treatise on the Soul The Prescription Against Heretics On the Flesh of Christ On the Resurrection of the Flesh Appendix (Against All Heresies) On Repentance On Baptism On Prayer The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity (Sometimes attributed to Tertullian) Of Patience

	St. Jerome 342-420AD Dalmatian; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar and translator, Doctor of the Church Translated the Holy Scriptures for the Catholic Church by order of Pope Damasus I. Letters The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem The Dialogue Against the Luciferians The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk The Life of S. Hilarion The Life of Paulus the First Hermit Against Jovinianus Against Vigilantius Against the Pelagians Preface to the Chronicle of Eusebius De Viris Illustribus (Illustrious Men) Apology for himself against the Books of Rufinus

	St. Augustine of Hippo 354-430AD North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church. Well loved saint, even among Protestants! Confessions Letters City of God Christian Doctrine On the Holy Trinity On the Catechising of the Uninstructed On Faith and the Creed Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen On the Profit of Believing On the Creed: A Sermon to Catechumens On the Good of Marriage On Holy Virginity On Lying On Patience On Care to be Had For the Dead On the Morals of the Catholic Church On Baptism, Against the Donatists The Correction of the Donatists Merits and Remission of Sin, and Infant Baptism On Nature and Grace On Man's Perfection in Righteousness On the Grace of Christ, and on Original Sin On Marriage and Concupiscence On the Soul and its Origin On Grace and Free Will The Predestination of the Saints/Gift of Perseverance

	St. Gregory I (the Great), 64th Pope of the Catholic Church 540-604AD Roman; pope, abbot, liturgist, reformer, statesman, Doctor of the Church. He helped the poor while spreading and strengthening the faith. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. Pastoral Rule -- Parts I, II, III, and IV Register of Letters -- Books I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV