Over the past 800 years, 37 saints have been recognized as a “Doctor of the Church.” But what does that title signify?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes a Doctor of the Church as a person who significantly “advanced the knowledge of God through their writing on theology, spirituality, mysticism, or through their defense of the faith in the face of heresy and schism.” To be declared a Doctor of the Church, the individual must also have been previously canonized as a saint, and they must be officially granted the title by an ecumenical council or pope.
In this inaugural post, the Basilica is delighted to launch a new series focusing on the Doctors of the Church portrayed in the Basilica and their contributions to the faith, beginning with three of the earliest Doctors of the Church. From Saint Athanasius and his fight against heretical teachings, to Saint Ephrem and his efforts to restore sound doctrine to Church music, each of these men used their lives to draw others closer to the truth of the Gospel.
Saint Athanasius: 296-373 A.D.
St. Athanasius was born to Christian parents around the year 296 A.D. in Alexandria. After receiving an education in Christian doctrine, Greek literature and philosophy, rhetoric, and more, he began working as secretary to a prominent bishop in 318. Only a few years later, he was plunged into the Church’s debates over the Arian heresy. Promulgated by Arius, a citizen of Alexandria, Arianism claimed that Christ was created by the Father and was not fully God. As more and more people began to follow Arius’ teachings, the Church decided to hold the Council of Nicaea in 325 to clarify theological questions. In response to the heresy, the Church not only formulated the Nicene Creed, but condemned Arius in an encyclical letter which may have been written by Athanasius himself. At the very least, he was present for the council.
Upon assuming the role of bishop of Alexandria in 328, Athanasius ardently defended the fundamentals of the Nicene Creed and soon found himself assailed by lawsuits, harassment, and more. These complications forced him to flee the city on five separate occasions and spend a total of 17 years in exile over the course of his life. Despite his frustrations, this was a prolific era for him, producing some of his most significant works, including A History of the Arians, three letters to Serapion, a treatise on the synods of Rimini and Seleucia, and a biography of St. Anthony.
In addition to his tireless battles against Arianism, Athanasius also created the first list of books to be included in the Christian Bible. His selection was confirmed as canon by St. Jerome following the translation of the Scriptures into the Vulgate, with no additions or subtractions made. Near the end of his life, Athanasius was invited back to serve as bishop of Alexandria, and he spent his final days in office before passing away in 373. Pope St. Pius V recognized Athanasius as a Doctor of the Church in 1568.
Saint Ephrem the Syrian: 306-373 A.D.
While few details can be found concerning Ephrem’s early life, historians believe he was born around 306 A.D. in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, to Christian parents. After completing his education, Ephrem partnered with the Bishop of Nisibis to start a theological school in their city. Some accounts state that after teaching, he spent time as a hermit, occasionally working as a sailmaker in order to support himself.
When Ephrem was nearly 60 years old, Persia gained control of Nisibis, and fearing persecution because of his faith, Ephrem fled to Edessa. There, he resumed teaching at another biblical school and was later ordained as a deacon. As a deacon, Ephrem distinguished himself as an articulate orator and percipient author. In addition to his sundry biblical commentaries and theological poetry, Ephrem’s greatest contribution to the Church was his hymn-writing. Seeking to combat heretical doctrine that had wormed its way into the Church’s music, Ephrem used the melodies of the flawed songs for his own hymns, writing new, theologically sound lyrics to replace the incorrect ones. He was one of the first Catholic leaders to realize the significance of utilizing music as a tool for teaching spiritual truths – a conviction that earned him the moniker “the Harp of the Holy Spirit.” In 1920, Saint Ephrem became the first Syriac Christian to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem: 315-386 A.D.
Born in Jerusalem in 315 A.D., Cyril became a bishop in 348. At the time, the tentacles of the Arian heresy had reached throughout the Roman Empire, splintering the Church and pitting spiritual leaders against each other.
With his “diplomatic and conciliatory nature,” Cyril was loathe to take a strong stance against either persuasion. Dissatisfied with his ambivalence, many in the Church leveled slanderous accusations against him, and their schemes culminated in Cyril’s 16-year exile, alienating him for nearly half of his career as a bishop. Despite these obstacles, Cyril still managed to leave a significant impact on the faith. He was a father of the Eastern Rite and participated in the First Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.), which defined the equality of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son.
One of his works offers the “earliest statements of Christian theology we possess,” with guidelines for baptism candidates, a positive framework of belief, and an explication of the relationship between faith and works. In 1883, Cyril was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII.
Sources:
“Benedict XVI, General Audience, Wednesday, 28 November, 2007,” The Vatican.
Butler’s Lives of Saints, ed. Bernard Bangley.
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.
“Saint Athanasius,” Franciscan Media.
“Saint Cyril of Jerusalem,” Franciscan Media.
“Saint Ephrem,” Franciscan Media.
“St. Athanasius,” EWTN.
“St. Ephrem,” Catholic Online.
“St. Ephrem,” Catholic News Agency.