Teachers of the Antiochian tradition

For two centuries Antioch was the intellectual centre of Eastern Christianity. The bishops, theologians and martyrs gathered here shaped the theology and liturgy of the whole undivided Church — and through the Antiochian tradition continue to shape it today.

English translations of three foundational figures below. Two more teachers of the Antiochene school (Diodore of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia) and the three current patriarchs are available in German.

• c. 35 – c. 110

  Ignatius of Antioch

  Third Bishop of Antioch · Apostolic Father · Martyr

  Coined the term „catholic Church". Seven letters written on the way to martyrdom are the earliest witnesses to an already structured Church after the apostles.

  Feast: 17 October (West) · 20 December (East)
• c. 349 – 407

  John Chrysostom

  Presbyter in Antioch · Patriarch of Constantinople · Doctor of the Church

  The greatest preacher of Greek patristics. Pupil of the Antiochene school. The liturgy that bears his name is to this day the ordinary liturgy of the Byzantine rite.

  Feast: 13 November (East) · 27 January (West)
• c. 676 – 749

  John of Damascus

  Monk · Theologian · Last of the Greek Fathers

  Last of the great Greek Fathers. Wrote the first systematic dogmatics of the East („Fountain of Knowledge"). Defender of icon veneration during the Byzantine iconoclast crisis.

  Feast: 4 December