Skip to Main Content

Patristics / Patrology -- The Early Church Fathers & Their Writings: Finding Books

Grounded in the teachings and passion of Jesus Christ, early Christian theologians studied Jewish thought, Greek philosophy, and Greek and Latin vocabulary in their endeavor to explain complex Christian theological concepts.

LibrarySearch book search

Results here are limited to books, ebooks, and book chapters.

Search Turtorials

It is not always easy to find Early Church writings in the online catalog as many large collections do not list individual works; this can make it hard to find things. Often there are several titles in English for the same work; the same with the authors' names; Greek, Latin, and English versions of a Father's name may not always be written in the same manner.  Be sure to ask for help when you need it.

Keyword. City of God by Augustine

This is the broadest kind of search but it can also bring up too much material to sift. One method is enter the author’s name and the first word or two of a title or subject of interest. 

Author. Ephrem the Syrian

The names of authors vary in forms. For example: Ephrem is also known as Ephraim and in the catalog as Ephraeum.  John Damascene as John of Damascus, etc.  Often a keyword search is the best solution.

Title. Stromateis by Clement of Alexandria

If you know the title of a work you can choose title search. Sometimes, though, keyword is best for titles as well. 

Series. Ancient Christian Writers

Many writings of the Early Church are collected in series of separately published books.  Many of these series are shelved together so that browsing a series can be helpful.

Sets

Fathers of the Church
Search series name as Title. Ongoing extensive series with good general information accompanying texts.  Over 100 vols. so far.  Shelved at Ireland by author not by volume number. Quasten abbreviation: FC

Ancient Christian Writers
Search series name as Title. Newer translation with some bibliographies.  More than 50 vols. in series -- not complete. Quasten abbreviation: ACW

The Early Church Fathers
A promising venture with introductions and selections from works.

Search series name as Title

Message of the Fathers of the Church [series]
Selects important texts on various themes drawn from older translations. 

Search series name as Title

Sources of Early Christian Thought [series]
Brief representative samples in recent translations. 

Search series name as Title

Primary Source Documents

Fathers & the Bible

Here are some examples of keyword searches in our online catalog.

  • Chrysostom Bible
  • Fathers Bible
  • Early Interpretation Bible

Google Book Search

Google Book Search

UST's InterLibrary Loan Service