Concept
Cappadocian Fathers
Overview
The Cappadocian Fathers, also traditionally known as the Three Cappadocians, were a trio of Byzantine Christian prelates, theologians and monks who helped shape both early Christianity and the monastic tradition. Basil the Great (330–379) was Bishop of Caesarea; Basil's younger brother Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335 – c. 395) was Bishop of Nyssa; and a close friend, Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390), became Patriarch of Constantinople. The Cappadocia region, in modern-day Turkey, was an early site of Christian activity. While these three men are typically discussed as the Cappadocians, Macrina, Basil and Gregory's sister, was significant in forming them theologically and in terms of their interpretation of how to live out Christian religious practice.
The Cappadocians advanced the development of early Christian theology, for example the doctrine of the Trinity, and are highly respected as saints in both Western and Eastern churches.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
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Constantine, on the Report of Zosimus, could not obtain pardon for his crimes: he was stained with the blood of his wife, his son and all his kindred. It was in the interest of the human race that such great transgressions should remain without expiation, in order that absolution should not invite their committal, and that universal horror might sometimes stop the villains. The Roman Catholics have expiations which…
Voltaire, Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary
States what Cappadocian Fathers is.
On the other hand, the names which signify essence in an adjectival manner are predicated of the three persons plurally, by reason of the plurality of _supposita._ For we say there are three "existent" or three "wise" beings, or three "eternal," "uncreated," and "immense" beings, if these terms are understood in an adjectival sense. But if taken in a substantive sense, we say "one uncreated, immense, eternal being,"…
Aquinas Thomas, Summa Theologica, Part I
States what Cappadocian Fathers is.
And this custom, coming, I suppose, from apostolical tradition (like many other things which are held to have been handed down under their actual sanction, because they are preserved throughout the whole Church, though they are not found either in their letters, or in the Councils of their successors),--this most wholesome custom, I say, according to the holy Cyprian, began to be what is called amended by his…
of Hippo Augustine, Writings in Connection with the Donatist Controversy
States what Cappadocian Fathers is.
Philosophers who discussed Cappadocian Fathers
Related ideas
- Turkey
- Fresco
- Arianism
- Platonism
- Early Christianity
- Hypostasis (philosophy and religion)
- Christian theology
- Trinity
- Ousia
- Gregory of Nyssa
- Eastern Christianity
Place in the tradition
Part of Idealism.