Introduction to the Church Fathers

Course level:All Levels

Course Duration: 8h 30m

Last Updated:February 10, 2026

This course is taught by:

Course Description

The course is designed as an introduction to to the patristic authors who shaped the theology and praxis of the Orthodox Church from the post-apostolic period through the fourth century and beyond. The course examines the personalities and writings of the major Church Fathers as theologians and spiritual writers, paying close attention to the literary, historical, and cultural contexts in which they lived and wrote.

This course is designed for Orthodox Christians and anyone with an appreciation for the Early Church who is seeking to learn more about the theologians, bishops, exegetes, and hymnographers that we call Church Fathers.

have gained a deeper appreciation for the thought-world of the Early Church
understand the biographical profile and theological contributions of some of the Church’s greatest saints
better understand the patristic context of the Church’s liturgy, iconography, and hymnograpy
have gained wide familiarity with some of the classic authors and texts of Greek patristic literature

Course Modules

Lecture One: Who are the Church Fathers?
a. The Concept of Tradition b. The Authority of the Fathers c. Faith, Reason, and Theology d. The Reception of Patristic Teaching

Who are the Church Fathers?

52:29

Lecture Two: Patristic Exegesis
a. Scripture in the Orthodox Church b. Scripture as an Incarnation of the Word c. Patristic Exegesis: Homilies, Commentaries, Catenae d. Patristic Interpretation: Letter and Spirit

Lecture Three: Patristic Prayer and Hymnody
a. The Nature of Prayer b. Psalmody and Poetry in the Fathers c. Syriac Poetry, Literature, and Hymns d. Greek Meter and Hymnography

Lecture Four: Philosophical Topics in the Fathers.
a. Platonism and Platonic themes b. Aristotelianism and the Peripatetic Tradition c. Stoicism and the Early Church d. Neoplatonism and Neoplatonic Paradigms