The Didache
An early Christian guide to the two ways, baptism, fasting, prayer, the Eucharist, traveling ministers, community order, and watchfulness.
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Apostolic Fathers
The earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament
A curated path through the Didache, First Clement, the seven letters of Ignatius, and the Martyrdom of Polycarp.
10 works
Curated in editorial order
Open in Library filters →First Clement
An early Christian letter from the church at Rome to the church at Corinth, traditionally associated with Clement of Rome, calling a divided community back to repentance, humility, peace, and the restoration of unjustly deposed presbyters.
Letter to the Ephesians
Ignatius writes to the Church at Ephesus about Christian unity, faithful discipleship, resistance to false teaching, and life centered on Jesus Christ.
Letter to the Magnesians
Ignatius exhorts the Magnesian church to unity, respect for its young bishop, and a distinctly Christian life grounded in Jesus Christ.
Letter to the Trallians
Ignatius praises the Trallians for their steadfastness and urges unity in the Church while warning against teaching that denies Christ’s real suffering.
Letter to the Romans
In his most personal letter, Ignatius asks the Roman Christians not to prevent his martyrdom and expresses his desire to attain Christ through faithful endurance.
Letter to the Philadelphians
Ignatius calls the Philadelphian church away from division and rival teaching toward one Eucharist, one ecclesial fellowship, and faith centered on Jesus Christ.
Letter to the Smyrnaeans
Ignatius defends the reality of Christ’s incarnation, suffering, and resurrection and connects that confession to Eucharistic and ecclesial unity.
Letter to Polycarp
Ignatius gives Bishop Polycarp practical pastoral counsel on perseverance, care of the vulnerable, marriage, church order, and service to the wider Church.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
The work describes earlier martyrs, Polycarp’s arrest and prayer, his hearing before the proconsul, his execution, the dispute over his remains, and the community’s commemoration of his martyrdom. A separate textual appendix preserves the alternative conclusion transmitted in the Moscow manuscript.