Ambrose of Milan
c. 339 – 397 · Born in Trier — Milan (Italy)
Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
A Roman governor acclaimed bishop of Milan by the people before he was even baptised.
Why this person matters
Preacher, hymn writer and pastor, he baptised Augustine and insisted that even emperors are subject to God's law.
As governor he went to calm a disputed election in 374 and was himself acclaimed bishop; he was baptised and ordained within days.
Augustine tells in the Confessions how Ambrose's preaching opened the Scriptures to him; Ambrose baptised him at Easter 387.
After the massacre at Thessalonica (390) he required the emperor Theodosius to do public penance.
Key ideas
- Scripture read in its spiritual sense
- The Church's freedom before political power
Why they still matter
His hymns began a Latin tradition of sung prayer still used today.
Before
- Athanasius of Alexandriac. 296 – 373
Contemporary
- Basil the Greatc. 330 – 379
- Gregory of Nazianzusc. 329 – 390
- Jeromec. 347 – 420
After
- Augustine of Hippo354 – 430
- On the Mysteries
- On the Duties of Ministers
- Hymns
- Early Christian source
- Historical context
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.