Theological Word of the Day

The “Apostolic Fathers” is a designation for a first and second century group of Christian leaders and their writings. None of their works are part of the Christian Scriptures, but the “Fathers” are believed to have been taught by the Apostles or had a close relationship with first generation apostolic teachings; hence the term “apostolic.” It is debated as to exactly who is included among the Apostolic Fathers and what writing should be consider a part of this corpus, but most common among them are  St. Clement of Rome, St. Ignatius of Antioch, and St. Polycarp of Smyrna, the Shepherd of Hermes, and the Didache (“The Teaching of the Twelve”).