Church Fathers

Basil the Great (AD 330–378), also known as Basil of Caesarea, served as bishop of Caesarea and was a Cappadocian Father alongside Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus. He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. He established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. He sometimes went by the epithet Ouranophantor (Greek: Οὐρανοφάντωρ), which means “revealer of heavenly mysteries.”

John Chrysostom (AD 347–407) served as archbishop of Constantinople. He is known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, and his ascetic sensibilities. The epithet Χρυσόστομος (Chrysostomos, anglicized as Chrysostom) means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and denotes his celebrated eloquence.

Gregory of Nazianzus (AD 329–390), also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, was a Cappadocian Father, along with Basil and Gregory of Nyssa. He was named Bishop of Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius. He was an excellent orator who vigorously defended orthodox Christian theology, especially regarding the relationship of the members of the Trinity. Considered one of the foremost theologians in the early church, his Theological Orations (five sermons on the Trinity) is a must-read.