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Patristics: Writings of the Fathers

Finding primary sources

Over time there have been many different editions produced of the works of the early fathers, some in their original language, and others in translated form, usually with accompanying commentary. 

Printed Materials

Library Search

Use Library Search to find works by the various Church Fathers you are studying on your module. Just enter their name into the search box. 

Fathers you will be studying include:

  • Ambrose of Milan
  • Athanasius of Alexandria
  • Augustine of Hippo
  • Basil of Caesarea
  • Clement of Alexandria
  • Cyprian of Carthage
  • Gregory of Nyssa
  • Ignatius of Antioch
  • Jerome
  • John Chrysostom
  • Justin Martyr
  • Origen
  • Priscillian of Avila
  • The Acts of the Council of Gangra
  • Tertullian

A number of book series are also useful and you can browse or search for materials published in these series:

  • Corpus Christianorum
  • Patrologiae Cursus Completus

Library Databases - Primary Sources

Help is available online with using the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae.

Searching the web for content

Google Scholar Search

General searching on the internet can prove productive, Many works are freely available as they have passed into the public domain and are no longer subject to copyright. You can use Google Scholar to help you find relevant materials.

Take a look at the Making the most of Google Scholar guide for guidance on adjusting the settings of this search engine. By adjusting your settings you will give yourself the best chance of finding full text materials when searching on Google Scholar.

Free web resources

Freely accessible, searchable and browseable online collection of the works of the Early Fathers, produced by the Christian Classis Ethereal Library. Other Christian literature is also freely available via the CCEL site

The Hathi Trust holds many relevant digitised texts.

Take a look and search for works by some of the Fathers you are interested in. For example:

Tip

  • Not all the books on Hathi are accessible in full text.

  • Where books are subject to copyright you will only be able to view bibliographic details and conduct limited searches. 

  • You can choose to search for materials available in Full View Only format - use the checkbox.

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