Which writings are included in patristic literature?

Patristic literature consists of the body of works written by Christians before the 8th century, excluding the New Testament. While the term historically referred specifically to the writings of the Fathers of the Christian church—those bishops and teachers recognized for their orthodox faith—modern scholarship defines it more broadly to include the entire spectrum of early Christian literature, regardless of orthodoxy.1

Key Categories and Figures

• Apostolic Fathers: These are the earliest examples of patristic literature, dating primarily from the late 1st and early 2nd centuries. Notable works include the Didachē, the First Letter of Clement, and the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch.2
• Post-Nicene Latin Fathers: This period includes influential theologians and scholars such as St. Ambrose, St. Jerome—known for the Vulgate—and St. Augustine of Hippo, whose works like the Confessions and City of God remain foundational.3
• Diverse Genres: The literature encompasses a wide range of forms, including theological treatises, polemics against heresies, biblical commentaries, letters, hymns, and historical accounts.23