c. AD 339 – 397

Ambrose of Milan

He set an early precedent for the moral independence of the Church from the state.

Back to Church Fathers

Audio narration

0%

Narration is generated on your device, so no audio files are downloaded.

Location
Milan
Role
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Major writings
  • On the Mysteries; On the Sacraments
  • On the Duties of Ministers; hymns
Teachings
  • The consecration changes the bread and wine
  • Christian rulers are subject to the moral law
Connection to apostolic Christianity
His catechetical lectures describe a baptismal and eucharistic liturgy already close to later Roman practice.

Quotations with references

The emperor is within the Church, not above it.

Ambrose, Sermon against Auxentius 36

Sources and References