Saint Ambrose of Milan was one of the most influential fathers of the early church. From the very beginning of his clerical career he set an outstanding example of Christian leadership. In 374 A.D. he was in his early thirties and a governor of the region surrounding Milan. He was wealthy and well respected, but had never considered becoming a priest. Though he had Christian beliefs, he had not yet even been baptized. When the bishop of Milan died, he was unexpectedly acclaimed bishop by popular demand. At first he resisted, but when pressed, he gave up all of his worldly belongings, agreed to be baptized and ordained, and devoted his talents to the service of the church. Besides providing a great example of personal piety, Ambrose was an important defender of orthodox Catholicism in opposition to the various heresies of the day, including Arianism and Manichaeanism. He had a great influence on Augustine of Hippo, who was later to become the most important Christian theologian of the first millennium.
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It was consistent with the character of Ambrose that his principled stand opposed to the emperors created lasting respect, rather than a lasting rift. Ambrose remained a close advisor to Theodosius for the duration of his reign. He won the respect of members of the imperial court who were not sympathetic to Christian ideas, and his charity toward the poor assured him of great influence also with the masses. He was often called upon to mediate between rival factions and was frequently successful in bringing opposing parties to some agreement. His legal training allowed him to frame issues based on principle and precedent, rather than bias or arbitrary favor, and he used these skills to promote the interests of Christianity, and discourage paganism without appearing to be unfair or heavy-handed.
Born in Germany to Christian parents. | |
Excelled at studies of literature, law, and rhetoric. | |
Promoted to consular prefect of Liguria, with his office in Milan. | |
Bishop of Milan dies. Ambrose was proclaimed bishop by popular demand, though he was not yet baptized. | |
Gave away all riches, and whole-heartedly devoted himself to the service of the Church. | |
Persuaded Emperor Gratian to outlaw all heresy in the Western empire. | |
Presided at the synod of Aquileia, Arian bishops were deposed fron their office. | |
Refused request of Emperor Valentinian II for use of churches for Arian services. | |
St. Augustine is baptized as Christian after being influenced by Ambrose. | |
Excommunicated Emperor Theodosius after the massacre of 7000 Thessalonians. | |
Encouraged the Christian Emperor Valentinian II to suppress pagan worship. | |
Valentinian II is murdered and Eugenius usurps throne. Ambrose flees from Milan. | |
After Theodosius defeats Eugenius, Ambrose requests pardon for all supports of his rival. | |
Ambrose dies, two years after death of Theodosius. |
Emperor's Penance in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Ambrose in | The Early Church, from Ignatius to Augustine by George Hodges |
Ambrose, 340-397 in | Saints and Heroes to the End of the Middle Ages by George Hodges |
St. Ambrose in | Back Matter by books/horne/statesmen/_back.html |
St. Ambrose in | by |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Ambrose rebukes Theodosius, Fugel in Famous Men of Rome |
![]() Saint Ambrose in Saints and Heroes to the End of the Middle Ages |
![]() Ambrose Barring Theodosius from the Church in Greatest Nations - Rome |
![]() Saint Ambrose of Milan in Back Matter |
![]() Ambrose Rebukes Theodosius in Back Matter |
![]() Go back', he said. in Red Book of Heroes |
![]() Do not delay an instant', he cried, 'or it will be too late.' in Red Book of Heroes |
Gratian | Emperor in the West during Ambrose's early years as bishop. Opposed the Arians. |
Valentinian II | Young emperor who succeeded Gratian. Allied at first with the Arians. |
Emperor excommunicated by Ambrose for massacre of civilians at Thessalonia. | |
Greatest Christian theologian of the Middle Ages. Wrote Confessions and City of God. | |
Symmachus | Prominent senator who petitioned for pagan worship privileges to be restored. |
Maximus | Usurped the supreme power in Gaul. |