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Adam, Eve & the Ethiopian Tradition
Kebra Nagast
The Glory of the Kings: Ethiopia's great book of Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Menelik and the Ark of the Covenant.
ReadThe Book of Jasher
The 'Book of the Upright' named in Joshua and 2 Samuel, retelling the story from Creation to the Judges.
ReadFirst & Second Books of Adam and Eve
Also called the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan: the first family's life after Eden, kept in Ethiopia.
ReadThe Slavonic Life of Adam and Eve
A second, Slavonic telling of Adam and Eve's life after Eden.
ReadThe Cave of Treasures
The history of the world from Creation to Christ, told through the line of Seth.
ReadThe Ethiopian Christian Library
The History of Hanna, the Mother of Mary
An Ethiopic service-book on Hanna (Anne), Mary's mother, with readings for the days of the week and salutations to her.
ReadThe Conception and Birth of Our Lady Mary
Joachim and Hanna, Mary's birth and girlhood, and the birth of Jesus, in an Ethiopic retelling.
ReadThe Story of Mary’s Flight to Mount Lebanon
The Holy Family hides in the Lebanon mountains from Herod, helped by the governor Gigar.
ReadThe History of the Virgin Mary as Told to Theophilus
Mary tells Theophilus of Alexandria about her life and the Holy Family's stay in Egypt.
ReadThe Narrative of the Virgin Mary as Told to Timothy
Mary tells Timothy of Alexandria about the Holy Family's flight into Egypt.
ReadThe Covenant of Mercy
Christ's promise to Mary to forgive those who remember her sorrows, in two Ethiopic versions, with salutations.
ReadThe Death of the Virgin Mary as Told by Saint John
John tells of Mary's last days, death and burial.
ReadThe Departure of the Virgin Mary from This World
Mary's persecution by the priests, her death, and her body taken up to heaven.
ReadHow the History of Saint Mary Was Discovered
How a lost book of Mary's history was found and brought to Mount Sinai.
ReadThe Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ethiopian church readings in honour of Mary, with forty-odd miracle stories, each ending in a short verse salutation.
ReadSalutations to the Members of the Body of the Virgin Mary
Ethiopic greetings to Mary, one for each part of her body.
ReadThe Weddase Maryam (Praises of Mary)
The Ethiopian Church's hymns in praise of Mary, one for each day of the week.
ReadThe ’Arganona Weddase (Organ of Praise of Mary)
The opening of a long Ethiopic book of praises to Mary.
ReadThe Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles
A short tract naming the tribe of Israel to which each of the Twelve belonged.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Peter
The Ethiopic history of Peter in Rome, the family of Kewestos and ’Akrosya, and Peter's death on the cross, with the preface to the whole collection.
ReadThe Acts of Saint Peter, as Told by Clement
Clement tells of Peter's visions of heaven and of Mary, his preaching in Antioch and Rome, and the mysteries he received.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Saint Paul
Paul's last teaching in Rome and his beheading under Nero, in the Ethiopic version.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Paul
A long Ethiopic life of Paul, from his conversion through journeys with Barnabas, Philip and Peter to his martyrdom in Rome.
ReadThe Epistle of Dionysius the Areopagite to Timothy
A letter of consolation to Timothy describing the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul in Rome.
ReadThe Contending of Simon, the Son of Cleopas
Simon, son of Cleopas, bishop of Jerusalem after James, and his martyrdom.
ReadThe Contending of Saint James the Just
James, the brother of the Lord, as bishop of Jerusalem, and his death at the hands of the Jews.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Bartholomew
Bartholomew is sold as a slave to preach in the Oasis, and later dies a martyr.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Matthew
Matthew's preaching in the city of Kahenat and his martyrdom in Parthia.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Philip
Philip and Peter preach together, and Philip is martyred in Phrygia.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Andrew
Andrew's journeys with Philemon and with Bartholomew, including the story of the dog-faced man, and his martyrdom.
ReadThe Contending of Saint John the Evangelist
John's shipwreck, his years as a bath-house slave in Ephesus, his preaching, and his death, as told by his disciple Prochorus.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Saint James, the Son of Alphaeus
James, the son of Alphaeus, is stoned in Jerusalem.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Matthias
Andrew rescues Matthias from a city of cannibals, in two Ethiopic versions, with Matthias's martyrdom.
ReadThe Contending of Saint James, the Son of Zebedee
James, the son of Zebedee, preaches in India with Peter and is martyred in Jerusalem.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Saint Mark the Evangelist
Mark founds the church of Alexandria and is dragged to death by the heathen.
ReadThe Contending of Saint Thomas
Thomas is sold as a slave and preaches in India, with the six Ethiopic Acts of Thomas and his martyrdom.
ReadThe Preaching of Judas Thaddeus
Thaddeus and Peter preach in Syria, including the camel and the needle's eye.
ReadThe Life of Takla Haymanot
The Dabra Libanos Life of Ethiopia's great monastic saint Takla Haymanot, from his ancestry and miraculous birth to his preaching, labours and death.
ReadThe Translation of the Body of Takla Haymanot
How Takla Haymanot's bones were moved fifty-seven years after his death, and how his forgotten Life was revealed to John Kama.
ReadThe Miracles of Takla Haymanot
Abba Peter's book of the miracles of Takla Haymanot during his life and at his grave.
ReadThe Book of the Riches of Kings
A short tradition of how Takla Haymanot, warned by a prophesying cock and an angel, anointed Yekuno Amlak and restored the line of David.
ReadThe Life of Takla Haymanot (Waldebba Version)
The shorter, older Life of Takla Haymanot kept at the monastery of Waldebba.
ReadThe Life of Maba' Seyon
The life of Takla Maryam, called Maba' Seyon, a fifteenth-century Ethiopian holy man devoted to Christ's Passion, with miracles of his commemoration bread.
ReadThe Life of Gabra Krestos
The legend of a son of the Emperor Theodosius who left the palace to live unknown as a beggar at a church door.
ReadBaralam and Yewasef
The Ethiopic Barlaam and Josaphat: the hermit Baralam teaches the Indian prince Yewasef the Christian faith through parables.
ReadThe Book of the Bee
A thirteenth-century Syriac compendium by Solomon, bishop of Basra, gathering Church of the East traditions from the Creation to the end of the world.
ReadJewish Writers of Jesus' Time
The Life of Flavius Josephus
Josephus's own account of his life, chiefly his command in Galilee in AD 66–67.
ReadThe Wars of the Jews
Josephus's history of the Jewish revolt against Rome and the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
ReadThe Antiquities of the Jews
A history of the Jewish people from the Creation to the eve of the revolt against Rome, in twenty books.
ReadAllegorical Interpretation
An allegorical commentary on Genesis 2–3: Adam, Eve, the garden and the serpent.
ReadOn the Sacrifices of Abel and Cain
On the offerings of Abel and Cain, and what true sacrifice is.
ReadThat the Worse Attacks the Better
Cain's attack on Abel, read as a picture of what happens in the soul.
ReadOn Husbandry
Noah as a husbandman, and the difference between working the soil and tending the soul.
ReadOn the Migration of Abraham
God's call to Abraham to leave his country, read as the journey of the soul.
ReadOn the Preliminary Studies
Abraham's union with Hagar as a picture of the studies that come before wisdom.
ReadOn Rewards and Punishments
The blessings promised for keeping the law and the curses for breaking it.
ReadOn the Contemplative Life
A description of the Therapeutae, a community of Jewish contemplatives in Egypt.
ReadHypothetica
Parts of a defense of the Jews, with a description of the Essenes, quoted by Eusebius.
ReadOn the Embassy to Gaius
Philo's account of his embassy to the emperor Caligula for the Jews of Alexandria.
ReadSayings of the Jewish Fathers (Pirke Avot)
Sayings of the early rabbis on Torah, wisdom and right living, from the Mishnah.
ReadSefer Yetzirah (The Book of Formation)
An early Jewish teaching on how God created the world through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the ten numbers.
ReadThe Testaments
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
The dying words of Jacob's twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin.
ReadThe Testament of Abraham
The Archangel Michael comes for Abraham, and shows him the judgment of souls.
ReadJoseph and Aseneth
The love story of Joseph and his Egyptian wife Aseneth, and how she came to know the God of Israel.
ReadVisions & Revelations
The Seventh Vision of Daniel
A vision in Daniel's name about the kingdoms of the last days, from the Armenian.
ReadProphets, Wisdom & Ancient Lore
The Martyrdom & Ascension of Isaiah
Isaiah's vision of the seven heavens, and his death under Manasseh.
ReadThe Melchizedek Fragment
The miraculous birth of Melchizedek, the priest-king who blessed Abraham.
ReadThe Lives of the Prophets
Short accounts of where sixteen prophets came from, how they died and where they were buried, from the Armenian.
ReadFragments of Lost Old Testament Books
The few lines that survive, quoted by early writers, from lost books such as the Prayer of Joseph, Eldad and Medad, and the Apocalypses of Elijah and Zephaniah.
ReadPontius Pilate & the Passion
More Gospels, Acts & Traditions
The Diatessaron
Tatian's second-century weaving of the four Gospels into one continuous story, from the Arabic version.
ReadThe Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
Mary's childhood, the birth of Jesus, and the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, in a Latin gospel under Matthew's name.
ReadThe Gospel according to the Egyptians
Sayings of Jesus to Salome quoted by Clement of Alexandria. Not the Nag Hammadi book of the same name.
ReadThe Traditions of Matthias
Sayings of the apostle Matthias quoted by Clement of Alexandria.
ReadFragments of Lost Gospels
Pieces of unknown gospels found on papyrus in Egypt, including Jesus' dispute with a priest in the Temple.
ReadThe Falling Asleep of Mary
John's account of the last days of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the gathering of the apostles.
ReadThe Letter of Pilate to Tiberius
A short letter in Pilate's name to the emperor about the crucifixion.
ReadThe Avenging of the Saviour
The emperor Tiberius is healed by the image of Jesus, and Jerusalem is punished.
ReadThe Acts of Paul
Paul's journeys, his letters with the Corinthians, the lion at Ephesus, and his death in Rome.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Andrew
The letter of the churches of Achaia telling of Andrew's death on the cross.
ReadThe Acts of Peter and Paul
Peter and Paul in Rome, their contest with Simon the sorcerer before Nero, and their deaths.
ReadThe Acts of Peter and Andrew
Peter and Andrew preach in a hostile city, and a camel passes through the eye of a needle.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Bartholomew
Bartholomew in India: the idol falls silent and the king's household believes.
ReadThe Acts of John the Theologian
John's exile to Patmos under Domitian, and his death. A later work, not the Acts of John.
ReadThe Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena
A noblewoman in Spain hears Paul preach, and her sister Polyxena is carried off and rescued.
ReadThe Teaching of Addaeus the Apostle
How the apostle Addaeus brought the gospel to King Abgar and the city of Edessa, from the Syriac.
ReadThe Teaching of the Apostles
Church rules said to have been laid down by the apostles, and where each apostle preached, from the Syriac.
ReadThe Teaching of Simon Cephas in Rome
Peter's preaching in Rome in the days of Claudius, from the Syriac.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Barsamya
The trial of Barsamya, bishop of Edessa, who brought Sharbil to the faith.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Shamuna, Guria and Habib
Two confessors of Edessa beheaded under Diocletian, and the deacon Habib burned under Licinius.
ReadThe Epistle of the Apostles
The risen Jesus answers the apostles' questions, in a letter in the name of the Eleven.
ReadThe Letters of Paul and Seneca
Fourteen short letters said to have passed between Paul and the Roman philosopher Seneca.
ReadThe Letter of Lentulus
A description of Jesus' appearance, in a letter said to be from a Roman official in Judea.
ReadThe Apocryphal Revelation of John
John questions the Lord on Mount Tabor about the Antichrist and the end of the world.
ReadThe Apocalypse of the Virgin
Mary is shown the punishments of the lost and pleads for mercy on them.
ReadThe Narrative of Zosimus
Also called the History of the Rechabites: a hermit's visit to the Blessed Ones who live apart from the world.
ReadThe Clementine Recognitions
Clement of Rome's search for truth, his travels with Peter, and the finding of his lost family.
ReadThe Clementine Homilies
Peter's sermons and debates with Simon Magus, as written down by Clement of Rome, with two letters to James.
ReadActs of the Apostles
The Book of the Resurrection by Bartholomew
Bartholomew's account of the Resurrection, from Coptic Egypt.
ReadGnostic Writings
More from the Nag Hammadi Library
The Prayer of the Apostle Paul
A short prayer for redemption and light, copied at the front of the Jung Codex.
ReadThe Tripartite Tractate
A long Valentinian treatise in three parts: the Father and the aeons, the creation of humanity, and the destinies of the different kinds of people.
ReadThe Coptic Apocalypse of Paul
Paul is led up through the heavens to the tenth heaven; a different work from the Apocalypse of Paul on the Visions shelf.
ReadThe First Apocalypse of James
Jesus teaches his brother James before and after the Crucifixion, given here from both surviving Coptic copies and the Greek fragments.
ReadThe Second Apocalypse of James
James the Just's discourse in Jerusalem, his revelation from Jesus, and his martyrdom.
ReadThe Apocalypse of Adam
Adam tells his son Seth what was revealed to him about the flood, the fire and the coming Illuminator.
ReadThe Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles
Peter and the apostles meet a pearl merchant named Lithargoel, who turns out to be the risen Christ.
ReadThe Authoritative Teaching
A teaching on the soul, which falls into the body and returns to her true home through the Word.
ReadThe Concept of Our Great Power
A revelation of the Great Power and the ages of the world, from the flood to the end.
ReadThe Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth
Hermes Trismegistus leads his pupil into a vision of the eighth and ninth heavens.
ReadThe Prayer of Thanksgiving
A short Hermetic prayer of thanks for knowledge, said before a shared holy meal.
ReadAsclepius 21–29
A Coptic excerpt from the Hermetic Asclepius, on knowledge, the gods, the fate of Egypt and the punishment of souls.
ReadThe Paraphrase of Shem
Derdekeas reveals to Shem the story of Light, Darkness and Spirit, and the soul's escape from Darkness.
ReadThe Coptic Apocalypse of Peter
The Savior shows Peter a vision of the Crucifixion and warns him of false teachers; a different work from the Apocalypse of Peter on the Visions shelf.
ReadThe Letter of Peter to Philip
Peter writes to Philip and gathers the apostles on the Mount of Olives, where the risen Jesus answers their questions.
ReadMelchizedek
A revelation given to Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, about Jesus Christ; a different work from the Melchizedek Fragment.
ReadThe Thought of Norea
A short hymn to the Father of the All: Norea calls out and is welcomed into her everlasting home.
ReadThe Testimony of Truth
A sermon on truth, the Law and baptism, which also attacks other Christian groups.
ReadMarsanes
Marsanes describes his heavenly ascent and teaches on the letters of the alphabet and the soul.
ReadThe Interpretation of Knowledge
A sermon to a divided church on the body of Christ and the gifts of the Spirit.
ReadAllogenes
The revelations received by Allogenes, 'the Stranger', which he passes on to his son Messos.
ReadHypsiphrone
The opening of a revelation to Hypsiphrone, who leaves the place of her virginity.
ReadThe Sentences of Sextus
Wise sayings from the Sentences of Sextus, a book of Christian proverbs, as found in Coptic.
ReadThe Book of Allogenes (Codex Tchacos)
Allogenes, 'the Stranger', is tempted by Satan, prays on Mount Tabor and is taken up to heaven; a different work from Allogenes in Codex XI.
ReadThe Early Defenders of the Faith
The First Apology of Justin
Justin's defence of the Christians, addressed to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, explaining their beliefs and worship and the prophecies fulfilled in Christ.
ReadThe Second Apology of Justin
A shorter appeal to the Roman Senate, written after Christians were put to death in Rome by the prefect Urbicus.
ReadJustin’s Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew
Justin's long debate with Trypho, a Jew, on the Law and on whether Jesus is the Christ foretold by the prophets, opening with the story of Justin's conversion.
ReadJustin on the Sole Government of God
A short tract that uses the Greek poets to show that there is only one God.
ReadFragments of Justin’s Lost Work on the Resurrection
The surviving chapters of Justin's lost work arguing that the body will rise again.
ReadOther Fragments from the Lost Writings of Justin
Short passages from Justin's lost writings, as quoted or reported by later authors.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Justin and His Companions
The record of Justin's trial before the prefect Rusticus in Rome and of his death with six companions.
ReadIrenaeus Against Heresies
Irenaeus's five books describing the Gnostic teachers of his day and answering them from Scripture and the teaching handed down from the apostles.
ReadFragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus
Passages from Irenaeus's lost letters and works, including his letter to Florinus recalling how Polycarp spoke of the apostle John.
ReadTatian’s Address to the Greeks
Tatian's attack on Greek religion and philosophy, with the story of his own conversion and an argument that Moses is older than the Greek writers.
ReadTheophilus to Autolycus
Three books by a bishop of Antioch to his pagan friend Autolycus on the nature of God, the creation, and the age and truth of the Scriptures.
ReadAthenagoras: A Plea for the Christians
A defence addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, answering the charges of atheism, cannibalism and incest made against Christians.
ReadAthenagoras on the Resurrection of the Dead
Athenagoras's argument that the resurrection of the body is possible and is fitting for God to bring about.
ReadClement of Alexandria: Exhortation to the Heathen
Clement's appeal to the Greeks to leave their mysteries and idols and turn to Christ, the Word of God.
ReadThe Instructor of Clement of Alexandria
Clement's guide to Christian living under Christ the Instructor, covering food, drink, dress and conduct, and ending with a hymn to Christ.
ReadThe Stromata, or Miscellanies, of Clement of Alexandria
Clement's Miscellanies on Greek philosophy, faith and knowledge, and on the mature Christian he calls the true Gnostic.
ReadWho Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
Clement's explanation of Christ's words to the rich young man, ending with the story of the apostle John and the young robber.
ReadFragments of Clement of Alexandria
Passages from Clement's lost works, including his short comments on 1 Peter, Jude and the letters of John.
ReadThe Octavius of Minucius Felix
A dialogue on the shore at Ostia in which the Christian Octavius answers his pagan friend Caecilius, who is won over.
ReadThe Martyrdom of Ignatius
An account, written as by his companions, of Ignatius's journey from Antioch to Rome under Trajan and of his death in the arena.
ReadThe Remains of Quadratus
The only surviving passage of the earliest known defence of the faith, addressed to the Emperor Hadrian, on the people Christ healed and raised from the dead.
ReadThe Apology of Aristides the Philosopher
An Athenian philosopher's defence of the faith before the emperor, comparing the gods of the nations with the one God and describing how Christians live.
ReadThe Remains of Melito of Sardis
Passages from the lost writings of Melito, bishop of Sardis, including part of his apology to Marcus Aurelius and his list of the books of the Old Testament.
ReadThe Remains of Hegesippus
Passages from the earliest chronicler of the church, telling of the death of James the Lord's brother, the kinsmen of Jesus, and his own journey to Rome.
ReadThe Remains of Dionysius of Corinth
Passages from a bishop of Corinth's letter thanking the Roman church for its gifts and recalling that Peter and Paul taught in both cities.
ReadThe Remains of Claudius Apollinaris
Passages from a bishop of Hierapolis on the Thundering Legion and on the day of the Lord's Passover.
ReadThe Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons
The churches of Gaul tell the churches of Asia and Phrygia how Pothinus, Blandina and other believers suffered for Christ in AD 177.
ReadThe Remains of Rhodon
A pupil of Tatian describes the divisions among the followers of Marcion and his debate with the aged teacher Apelles.
ReadThe Letter of Polycrates to Victor of Rome
The bishop of Ephesus defends the Asian custom of keeping the Passover on the fourteenth day, naming the apostles and martyrs who kept it.
ReadThe Remains of Theophilus of Caesarea
The close of a synodal letter from Caesarea on the date of Easter, noting that the church of Alexandria keeps the feast on the same day.
ReadThe Remains of Serapion of Antioch
A bishop of Antioch's words against the New Prophecy and on why the church rejected the so-called Gospel of Peter.
ReadThe Remains of Apollonius
Passages from a work against the Montanists, questioning the conduct of their founder and prophetesses.
ReadTertullian
The Apology
Tertullian's defense of the Christians, addressed to the rulers of the Roman Empire, against the charges brought against them.
ReadOn Idolatry
How far a Christian may take part in trades, customs and public offices bound up with the worship of idols.
ReadThe Shows (De Spectaculis)
A warning to Christians, and to those preparing for baptism, against going to the circus, the theatre and the games.
ReadThe Chaplet (De Corona)
Written after a Christian soldier refused to wear the laurel crown, defending his refusal and the authority of church custom.
ReadTo Scapula
An open letter to Scapula, proconsul of Africa, warning him against persecuting the Christians.
ReadTo the Nations (Ad Nationes)
Two books to the heathen, answering the charges made against Christians and examining the pagan gods.
ReadAn Answer to the Jews
Written after a debate between a Christian and a Jewish proselyte, arguing from the prophets that Jesus is the promised Christ.
ReadThe Soul's Testimony
A short argument that the human soul, in its everyday sayings, bears witness to God and to Christian truths.
ReadA Treatise on the Soul
Tertullian's long study of the soul: its origin, nature and powers, sleep and dreams, and its state after death.
ReadThe Prescription Against Heretics
An argument that heretics have no right to use the Scriptures, which belong to the churches founded by the apostles.
ReadThe Five Books Against Marcion
Five books answering Marcion's teaching that the God of the Old Testament is not the Father of Jesus Christ, going through Marcion's Gospel and Paul's letters.
ReadAgainst Hermogenes
An answer to Hermogenes, who taught that God made the world out of matter that had always existed.
ReadAgainst the Valentinians
A short, mocking account of the Valentinian Gnostics and their system of aeons, drawn from earlier Christian writers.
ReadOn the Flesh of Christ
A defense of the reality of Christ's human flesh, born of the Virgin, against Marcion, Apelles and Valentinus.
ReadOn the Resurrection of the Flesh
A full defense of the resurrection of the body against heretics who held that only the soul is saved.
ReadAgainst Praxeas
A defense of the doctrine of the Trinity against Praxeas, who taught that the Father himself was born and suffered.
ReadScorpiace
A defense of martyrdom against Gnostics who taught that God does not require Christians to die for the faith.
ReadOn Repentance
On repentance before baptism, and on the one public confession of sin allowed after it.
ReadOn Baptism
A treatise on baptism, written against a woman of the Cainite sect who denied that it was needed.
ReadOn Prayer
An explanation of the Lord's Prayer, with directions on how and when Christians should pray.
ReadTo the Martyrs (Ad Martyras)
A letter of encouragement to Christians held in prison and awaiting martyrdom.
ReadOf Patience
A treatise on patience as the virtue shown by God and Christ, which Tertullian admits he himself lacks.
ReadOn the Pallium
Tertullian's reply to the men of Carthage, defending his wearing of the philosopher's cloak instead of the toga.
ReadOn the Apparel of Women
Two books urging Christian women to modesty in dress, jewellery and make-up.
ReadOn the Veiling of Virgins
An argument that unmarried women should be veiled in church, as married women are.
ReadTo His Wife
Two books to his wife, asking her not to remarry after his death, or if she does, to marry only a Christian.
ReadOn Exhortation to Chastity
A letter to a friend whose wife had died, urging him not to marry again.
ReadOn Modesty
A treatise from his Montanist period against the forgiveness of adultery and other grave sins by the bishop.
ReadOn Fasting
A defense, from his Montanist period, of stricter fasts against the "Psychics", his name for the Catholic majority.
ReadOn Flight in Persecution (De Fuga in Persecutione)
A letter to Fabius arguing that Christians must not flee from persecution or buy their way out of it.
ReadCyprian & the Third-Century Church
The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas
The prison diary of Perpetua, a young mother martyred at Carthage in AD 203, with Saturus's vision and the account of the martyrs' deaths.
ReadThe Instructions of Commodianus
Short acrostic poems by Commodian warning pagans, Jews and careless Christians, and teaching the Christian life.
ReadThe Refutation of All Heresies
Hippolytus traces each heresy of his day back to Greek philosophy, astrology or the mysteries, and ends with a statement of the true faith.
ReadFragments of Hippolytus on the Scriptures
Surviving pieces of Hippolytus's commentaries on Genesis, the Psalms, Proverbs and other books of Scripture.
ReadHippolytus on Daniel
Hippolytus's commentary on Daniel, with his comments on the story of Susannah, in fragments.
ReadTreatise on Christ and Antichrist
Hippolytus gathers the prophecies of Scripture about the Antichrist and the end of the world.
ReadExpository Treatise Against the Jews
Hippolytus addresses a Jewish reader and shows from the Psalms that Christ's sufferings were foretold.
ReadAgainst Plato, on the Cause of the Universe
A fragment on the state of souls in Hades and on the coming judgment, addressed to the Greeks.
ReadAgainst the Heresy of One Noetus
Hippolytus answers Noetus, who taught that the Father himself was born and suffered, and sets out the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ReadAthanasius, Jerome & the Desert
Against the Heathen (Contra Gentes)
The first half of Athanasius's early two-part defence of the faith: idol worship is shown to be false, and God is known through the soul and through the order of creation.
ReadOn the Incarnation of the Word
Athanasius explains why the Word of God took a human body, died and rose again, and answers the objections of Jews and Greeks.
ReadThe Life of Antony
Athanasius's account of the Egyptian hermit Antony: his call, his battles with demons in the desert, his teaching to the monks and his death.
ReadThe Deposition of Arius
The letter in which Bishop Alexander of Alexandria tells the Church that Arius and his followers have been put out of communion, signed by his clergy.
ReadThe Letter of Eusebius of Caesarea to His Diocese
Eusebius of Caesarea explains to his people what was decided about the creed at the Council of Nicaea, and why he signed it.
ReadStatement of Faith (Expositio Fidei)
A short statement of belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, written by Athanasius.
ReadOn Luke 10:22 (Illud Omnia)
Athanasius explains the words 'All things were delivered to Me by My Father' against the Arians.
ReadEncyclical Letter to the Bishops
Athanasius tells the bishops of the whole Church of the violence that came with Gregory's seizure of the church of Alexandria in 339, and asks them to stand with him.
ReadDefence Against the Arians (Apologia contra Arianos)
Athanasius answers the charges brought against him, setting out the letters of councils, bishops and emperors that cleared his name.
ReadSaint Basil & Gregory the Theologian
On the Holy Spirit
Basil's treatise of 374–375, written for Amphilochius of Iconium, defending the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.
ReadOration 1: On Easter and His Reluctance
Gregory's first sermon, preached at Easter 362 soon after his ordination as priest, on the feast and his reluctance to take up the office.
ReadOration 2: In Defence of His Flight to Pontus, and His Return, After His Ordination to the Priesthood, with an Exposition of the Character of the Priestly Office
Gregory's defence of his flight to Pontus after his ordination, with a long account of the duties and dignity of the priesthood.
ReadOration 3: To Those Who Had Invited Him, and Not Come to Receive Him
A short address of about Easter 362 to those who had urged him to come back but did not come to hear him.
ReadOration 7: Panegyric on His Brother S. Cæsarius
Gregory's funeral panegyric on his younger brother Cæsarius, a physician at the imperial court, probably given in 369.
ReadOration 12: To His Father, When He Had Entrusted to Him the Care of the Church of Nazianzus
A short address of 372 to his father on taking up, as his coadjutor, the care of the church of Nazianzus.
ReadOration 16: On His Father's Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail
A sermon of 373, preached in place of his father after cattle plague, drought and a storm of hail had ruined Nazianzus.
ReadSaint Augustine
The Confessions
Augustine's thirteen books addressed to God: the first ten tell of his own life, the last three treat the opening of Genesis.
ReadThe City of God
Augustine's answer to the pagans who blamed the sack of Rome on Christianity, and his history of the earthly and heavenly cities, in twenty-two books.
ReadOn Christian Doctrine
Rules for finding the meaning of Scripture and for teaching it to others, in four books.
ReadOn the Holy Trinity
Fifteen books on the unity and equality of the Trinity, drawn from Scripture and traced in images found in the human mind.
ReadThe Enchiridion
A handbook written for Laurentius on faith, hope and love, set out through the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.
ReadOn the Catechising of the Uninstructed
Augustine's advice to the deacon Deogratias on how to teach the faith to those who come to be instructed.
ReadOn Faith and the Creed
A discourse on the articles of the Creed, given before a council of African bishops at Hippo.
ReadConcerning Faith of Things Not Seen
A short treatise answering those who mock Christians for being asked to believe in things they cannot see.
ReadOn the Profit of Believing
Written to a friend held by the Manichaeans, who mocked the Church for asking men to believe before they were taught.
ReadClassics of Faith
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis's four short books of counsel on the inner life, humility, and the Holy Communion.
ReadThe Practice of the Presence of God
The conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite lay brother and cook, on living always in God's presence.
ReadThe Little Flowers of St. Francis
The legends of Saint Francis of Assisi and his first companions, collected in fourteenth-century Italy.
ReadRevelations of Divine Love
The sixteen visions of Christ's love shown to Julian, an anchoress of Norwich, in 1373, and her long reflection on them.
ReadThe Cloud of Unknowing
An anonymous fourteenth-century English guide to contemplative prayer, teaching the soul to reach God through love in a 'cloud of unknowing'.
ReadTheologia Germanica
An anonymous fourteenth-century German treatise on giving up self-will and living in union with God, first printed by Martin Luther.
ReadIntroduction to the Devout Life
Francis de Sales's practical guide to a devout life for people living in the world, with meditations, counsels on prayer and the virtues, and remedies for temptation.
ReadThe Spiritual Combat
Lorenzo Scupoli's guide to the inner warfare of the Christian, built on distrust of self, trust in God, spiritual exercise and prayer.
ReadOn Loving God
Bernard of Clairvaux's short treatise on why God is to be loved and in what measure, and on the four degrees of love.
ReadThe Interior Castle
Teresa of Avila's guide to the life of prayer, picturing the soul as a crystal castle of seven mansions with God dwelling at its centre.
ReadThe Pilgrim's Progress
John Bunyan's allegory of Christian's journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, followed by the journey of his wife Christiana and their children.
ReadThe Rule of Saint Benedict
St. Benedict's sixth-century rule for monastic life, covering prayer, work, obedience, humility and the running of a monastery.
ReadThe Paradise of Palladius
Palladius's stories of the monks, hermits and holy women of the Egyptian desert, written for Lausus about 420, in the Syriac version.
ReadThe History of the Monks of Egypt
An account of a journey to the desert fathers of Egypt in the 390s, describing John of Lycopolis, Apollo, and many other monks.
ReadThe Sayings of the Fathers
Hundreds of short sayings and stories of the Egyptian desert fathers, arranged by subject, with their answers to the questions of the brethren.
ReadCassian, The Institutes
Cassian's twelve books on the dress, prayers and rules of the Egyptian monasteries, and on the remedies for the eight principal faults.
ReadCassian, Conference 1: First Conference of Abbot Moses
Abbot Moses teaches that the monk's final end is the kingdom of God, and that his immediate goal is purity of heart.
ReadCassian, Conference 2: Second Conference of Abbot Moses
Abbot Moses on discretion, the gift that keeps a monk from going too far in either direction.
ReadCassian, Conference 3: Conference of Abbot Paphnutius, On the Three Sorts of Renunciations
Abbot Paphnutius on the three ways God calls a soul and the three renunciations a monk must make.
ReadCassian, Conference 4: Conference of Abbot Daniel, On the Lust of the Flesh and of the Spirit
Abbot Daniel on the sudden changes of joy and sadness in the soul, and the struggle between flesh and spirit.
ReadCassian, Conference 5: Conference of Abbot Serapion, On the Eight Principal Faults
Abbot Serapion names the eight principal faults and explains how each is overcome.
ReadCassian, Conference 6: Conference of Abbot Theodore, On the Death of the Saints
Abbot Theodore explains why God allows holy men to be killed, teaching that things are good, bad or indifferent and only sin is truly evil.
ReadCassian, Conference 7: First Conference of Abbot Serenus, On Inconstancy of Mind, and Spiritual Wickedness
Abbot Serenus on the wandering of the mind, and on the power and limits of evil spirits.
ReadCassian, Conference 8: The Second Conference of Abbot Serenus, On Principalities
Abbot Serenus on the different kinds of evil spirits, the principalities and powers named in Scripture.
ReadCassian, Conference 9: The First Conference of Abbot Isaac, On Prayer
Abbot Isaac on the nature of prayer, its kinds, and how pure and unceasing prayer can be gained.
ReadCassian, Conference 10: The Second Conference of Abbot Isaac, On Prayer
Abbot Isaac continues on prayer, beginning with the error of the Anthropomorphites, and teaches a method of continual prayer.
ReadCassian, Conference 11: The First Conference of Abbot Chæremon, On Perfection
Abbot Chaeremon on the three ways faults are overcome, by fear, by hope and by love, and on the perfection of love.
ReadCassian, Conference 13: The Third Conference of Abbot Chæremon, On the Protection of God
Abbot Chaeremon on how God's grace and man's free will work together in every good deed.
ReadCassian, Conference 14: The First Conference of Abbot Nesteros, On Spiritual Knowledge
Abbot Nesteros on practical and spiritual knowledge, and how to understand the Scriptures.
ReadCassian, Conference 15: The Second Conference of Abbot Nesteros, On Divine Gifts
Abbot Nesteros on the gift of miracles, teaching that a man is judged not by wonders but by humility and an upright life.
ReadCassian, Conference 16: The First Conference of Abbot Joseph, On Friendship
Abbot Joseph on true friendship, which only lasts among those of like virtue.
ReadCassian, Conference 17: The Second Conference of Abbot Joseph, On Making Promises
Abbot Joseph on keeping and changing promises, prompted by Cassian and Germanus's promise to return to their own monastery.
ReadCassian, Conference 18: Conference of Abbot Piamun, On the Three Sorts of Monks
Abbot Piamun on the sorts of monks in Egypt, and on true humility and patience.
ReadCassian, Conference 19: Conference of Abbot John, On the Aim of the Coenobite and Hermit
Abbot John explains why he left the hermit's life for a monastery, and compares the two callings.
ReadCassian, Conference 20: Conference of Abbot Pinufius, On the End of Penitence and the Marks of Satisfaction
Abbot Pinufius on the end of penitence and the signs that a sin has been forgiven.
ReadCassian, Conference 21: The First Conference of Abbot Theonas, On the Relaxation During the Fifty Days
How Theonas renounced the world, and his teaching on why the Egyptian monks do not fast in the fifty days after Easter.
ReadCassian, Conference 23: The Third Conference of Abbot Theonas, On Sinlessness
Abbot Theonas on the Apostle's words 'the good that I would I do not', and why no man is without sin.
ReadCassian, Conference 24: Conference of Abbot Abraham, On Mortification
Abbot Abraham on the place and work suited to solitaries, and on the temptation to return to one's own country.
ReadThe Confession of St. Patrick
Patrick's own account of his capture as a youth, his slavery and escape, and his return to Ireland as a missionary bishop.
ReadThe Letter to Coroticus
Patrick's open letter condemning the soldiers of Coroticus, who killed and enslaved newly baptized Irish Christians.
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