Sign Up My Profile

Saints and early Christians

Their lives, their own words and their feast days, East and West. Every quotation names the book and chapter it comes from.

all the people

55 people

Ignatius of Antioch The 1st century to about 110 The bishop in chains who wrote seven letters on the road to the lions. Polycarp of Smyrna About 69 to 155 The old bishop who had known John, and would not curse Christ to save his life. Justin Martyr About 100 to about 165 A philosopher who became a Christian, defended the faith to the emperor, and was beheaded for it. Irenaeus of Lyons About 130 to about 200 He heard Polycarp as a boy, then as bishop of Lyons took on the Gnostics. Clement of Alexandria About 150 to about 215 A teacher at Alexandria who wanted Christians to learn from the Greek philosophers, and called the whole of life a festival. Not a saint in most traditions. Tertullian About 160 to after 220 The first great theologian to write in Latin, who defended the Christians and then broke with the Church. Not counted a saint. Origen of Alexandria About 185 to about 254 A great Bible scholar of the early Church, tortured for his faith. Some of his ideas were condemned three centuries after he died. Not counted a saint. Cyprian of Carthage About 200 to 258 Rich orator turned bishop of Carthage, who led his church through persecution and plague and died a martyr. Lactantius About 250 to about 325 A teacher of Latin eloquence who lived through the Great Persecution and wrote that faith cannot be forced. Not counted a saint. Antony the Great About 251 to 356 He heard one Gospel verse, gave away his land, and became the father of monks. The Hearth Athanasius of Alexandria About 296 to 373 Four emperors drove him out of his city five times. He came home every time. Nicholas of Myra The 300s The bishop of Myra behind the stories of secret gifts, Sinterklaas and Santa Claus. Martin of Tours About 316 to 397 Soldier turned monk and bishop, and one of the best loved saints of Gaul. The Oak Macrina the Younger About 330 to 379 or 380 The eldest sister of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. Gregory called her the Teacher. Gregory of Nazianzus About 329 to about 390 Basil the Great's best friend, and the poet and preacher the East still calls the Theologian. The Still Water Basil the Great About 329 to 379 He fed his city in a famine, built a new city for the sick, and would not bend to an emperor. The Herald, young Monica About 331 to 387 Augustine's mother, who wept and prayed for him for years and lived to see him baptised. The Deep Well Gregory of Nyssa About 335 to after 394 Basil the Great's younger brother. He wrote the Life of his sister Macrina, and he hoped God would one day heal everyone. Ambrose of Milan About 339 to 397 A Roman governor, made bishop by a crowd, who baptised Augustine and brought an emperor to public penance. Mary of Egypt About 344 to 421 She ran away to Alexandria at twelve, was stopped at a church door in Jerusalem, and lived 47 years alone in the desert. John Chrysostom About 347 to 407 The preacher known as Golden Mouth, who told the rich that the poor had a claim on their money and died in exile. The Forge Jerome About 347 to 420 The scholar-monk behind the Latin Bible, and one of the fiercest letter-writers in Christian history. The Forge Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 Teacher, convert and bishop of Hippo, who told his own restless story to God in the Confessions. The Spark, young John Cassian About 360 to 435 Monk who carried the wisdom of the Egyptian desert to the West. Patrick About 389 to 461, or about 493 The British slave who went back to Ireland as its bishop, and told his story himself. Boethius About 480 to 524 A Roman statesman and philosopher, who wrote his great book in prison while he waited to die. Benedict of Nursia About 480 to about 547 Hermit, abbot, and author of the Rule that Western monks still follow. The Oak Gregory the Great About 540 to 604 A monk made pope against his will, who fed Rome and sent the mission to the English. The Deep Well Isaac the Syrian The 600s to about 700 Bishop of Nineveh for five months, then a hermit whose writings are now read across the churches. Francis of Assisi 1181 or 1182 to 1226 The merchant's son of Assisi who kissed a leper, gave everything away and founded the Friars Minor. Thomas Aquinas About 1225 to 1274 The Angelic Doctor, who showed that faith and reason agree. His Summa, and the Thomism it began, still shape Christian thought. Abraham Old Testament The herdsman whom God called out of Ur. He believed God's promise and became the father of many nations. Joseph Old Testament Jacob's son, sold by his brothers, who rose from prison to govern Egypt and forgave them. Moses Old Testament He begged God to send someone else. Then he led a whole people through the desert for forty years. The Lookout Rahab Old Testament The woman of Jericho who hid Joshua's spies, tied a scarlet cord in her window and became an ancestor of Jesus. Deborah Old Testament The prophetess who judged Israel under a palm tree, sent Barak to war and sang the victory. Gideon Old Testament He obeyed God, but he did it at night, because he was afraid. The Lookout Ruth Old Testament The widow from Moab who would not leave Naomi, gleaned in the field of Boaz, and became King David's great-grandmother. Hannah Old Testament The woman who prayed for a son so quietly that the priest thought her drunk, then gave him back to God. Jonathan Old Testament King Saul's son, who loved David as himself and faced his father's spear for him. David Old Testament The shepherd who faced Goliath and became king of Israel, a man after God's own heart. Abigail Old Testament The wise wife of Nabal, who rode out with bread and wine and talked David out of bloodshed. Elijah Old Testament After his great victory on Carmel he ran into the wilderness and sat under a tree. The Deep Well Tobit Old Testament The blind exile who buried the dead, whose son went on a journey with an angel. Judith Old Testament The widow of Bethulia who walked into the enemy camp and saved her town from Holofernes. Daniel Old Testament The young exile who explained the dreams of kings, and kept on praying when it meant the lions' den. Esther Old Testament The orphan who became queen of Persia, and risked her life to save her people. Nehemiah Old Testament The Persian king's cupbearer, who rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days. Mary, mother of Jesus New Testament The mother of Jesus, who said yes to God and stood by His cross. John the Baptist New Testament He lived in the wilderness until the day he began to preach. The Oak Martha New Testament Busy with all the preparations. When her brother died, she went out to meet Jesus. The Lookout Mary Magdalene New Testament The woman Jesus freed from seven demons, who stood by His cross and met Him risen in the garden. Peter New Testament He denied Christ three times. Then he wept, came back, and led the Church. The Herald Barnabas New Testament The “Son of Encouragement”, who wanted to give young Mark a second chance. The Hearth Paul New Testament He would not give Mark a second chance. Years later he asked for him. The Forge

where do you stand?

Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? Start

Filters

Group

Lived

East or West

Personality type

Where the Christian Personality Test places them. Our reading, not a church’s.