This comprehensive volume brings together a team of distinguished scholars to create a wide-ranging introduction to patristic authors and their contributions to not only theology and spirituality, but to philosophy, ecclesiology, linguistics, hagiography, liturgics, homiletics, iconology, and other fields. Challenges accepted definitions of patristics and the patristic period – in particular questioning the Western framework in which the field has traditionally been constructed - Includes the work of authors who wrote in languages other than Latin and Greek, including those within the Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, and Arabic Christian traditions - Examines the reception history of prominent as well as lesser-known figures, debating the role of each, and exploring why many have undergone periods of revived interest - Offers synthetic accounts of a number of topics central to patristic studies, including scripture, scholasticism, and the Reformation - Demonstrates the continuing role of these writings in enriching and inspiring our understanding of Christianity "There is nothing to my knowledge quite like this volume... this is a fascinating and innovative volume. It should certainly be required reading for advanced graduate students, and most professional researchers will gain from considering its challenges to current practices, both in relation to content and methodology." (Frances Young, Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum Journal of Ancient Christianity, 2017; 21(2) "The volume certainly is worth purchasing.... It is handy to have now a single volume which holds so many historical keys. Readers may now follow a text through the centuries." ( The Ds Commentary on Books, Fall 2017) "Undergraduates should have access to at least one of these two resources, and the present compendium is excellent for research." ( CHOICE, 2016) "This is a welcome addition to the field as it is the first time that a such a volume has sought to give equal weight to both the Eastern and Western Church traditions. It offers a comprehensive and balanced picture by including material that has long remained obscure because it is primarily known from Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian and Syriac sources, rather than privileging the works of more widely known authors utilising Greek and Latin. At a time when many Eastern Christian traditions are increasingly endangered it becomes even more important to bring knowledge of these writings to the forefront of contemporary scholarship." ― Emma Loosley, University of Exeter "Ken Parry has led a first class team of experts in producing this excellent Wiley Blackwell Companion to Patristics. It advances on the several fine Patrologies already existing to focus critical attention on the issue of how the patristic mindset was received over the ages. Required reading for all serious theologians and historians." ― John A McGuckin, Nielsen Professor of Byzantine Church History "I applaud Ken Parry and his expert collaborators for providing ground-breaking new insights into the lives and writings of a wide representation of Fathers, including those who lived beyond the borders of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Never have I been so persuasively reminded of the importance and enduring significance of the Fathers for contemporary Christianity. This Companion is an indispensable resource for all who truly want to understand and utilize the rich legacy which the Fathers have left us." ― William Tabbernee, Past President, North American Patristics Society "There is nothing to my knowledge quite like this volume … this is a fascinating and innovative volume. It should certainly be required reading for advanced graduate students, and most professional researchers will gain from considering its challenges to current practices, both in relation to content and methodology." — Journal of Ancient Christianity This comprehensive volume brings together a team of distinguished scholars to create a wide-ranging introduction to patristic authors and their contributions to not only theology and spirituality, but to philosophy, ecclesiology, linguistics, hagiography, liturgics, homiletics, iconology, and other fields. These newly commissioned essays by leading scholars cover the reception history of prominent as well as lesser-known figures, offering synthetic accounts of a number of topics central to patristic studies, including scripture, scholasticism, and the Reformation. The volume examines the work of authors who wrote in languages other than Latin and Greek, including those writing within the Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, and Arabic Christian traditions. It challenges accepted definitions and notions about the scope of patristics and the patristic period, in particular questioning the Western framework in which the field has traditionally been constructed. The contributors also demonstrate the importance of knowing which figures have been central to historical events, why some have been neglected