Bibliographical Helps
Numerous key patristic resources for the fourth century are unavailable at many libraries. Some were also published in numerous fascicles and volumes, making it difficult to navigate both the material and the bibliographic information on them. If you need a certain page photocopied, or want to order a fascicle through inter-library loan, it can be tricky to find the right volume. The links below supply useful helps to the contents and make-up of these important works. For a fuller bibliographies of early Christianity, see
The Fathers of the Church: A Comprehensive Introduction. Translated by S. Schatzmann, updated by W. Harmless and H. Drobner. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2007. pp. xli-lvi.
Moreschini, C. and E. Norelli, Early Christian Greek and Latin Literature: A Literary History, Translated by M. O’Connell, volume 2. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005. pp.719-24.
Pages which are part of our Fourth Century Christianity website are noted with the FCC abbreviation.
A
ACO – Acta Conciliorum Oecumenicorum (original texts of the ecumenical councils) contents listed by FCC
These texts were produced by E. Schwartz and edited by Schwartz, Eduard, Straub, and Johannes. They provide Greek texts along with early Latin translations of and relating to the First Council of Ephesus, the Council of Chalcedon, and the Second Council of Constantinople.
ACW – Ancient Christian Writers (English translations of early Christian writings) external link
This series has 58 volumes of ancient Christian writings, many of which are available nowhere else in English translation. This link takes you to the Paulist Press page where you can view the titles of the volumes they have published so far.
ANF – Ante-Nicene Fathers (10 volumes of English translations of early Christian writings) contents listed by FCC
While over 100 years old, this set was a valuable contribution to scholarship at its time, and continues to be valuable because its copyright is expired so it is available on the internet for free. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library edition includes supplemental translations by Roger Pearse.
AW – Athanasius Werke (3 volumes) contents listed by FCC
H.-G. Opitz et al. (1934-5) — works of Athanasius (vol. 1-2) and others documents relating to the Arian controversy (Urkunden, vol. 3).
C
CBCR – Corpus Basilicarum Christianarum Romae
This multi-volume collection by Richard Krautheimer is an important archaeological study on all of the early church buildings in Rome. (A listing of the contents of each volume is forthcoming.)
CC- Corpus Christianorum (Critical editions of early Christian writings) external link
This publishing house produces both a Greek series, CCSG (Corpus Christianorum Series Graeca) and a Latin series, CCSL (Corpus Christianorum Series Latina) series of ancient texts.
Online database that merges CPG and CPL together with two collections of information on saints — Bibliotheca Hagiographa Latinorum and Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graecorum
CPG – Clavis Patrum Graecorum (The second volume of this work by Mauritius Geerard) contents listed by FCC
A checklist of the authors listed in volume 2 of CPG (from Athanasius to Chrysostom, 1974), with the CPG numbers assigned to their works.
CPL – Clavis Patrum Latinorum (A one-volume work by E. Dekkers) contents listed by FCC
A checklist of the authors listed in sections 1 and 2 of CPL (3rd edition, 1995), with the CPL numbers assigned to their works.
CSCO – Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium (Critical editions and translations of early eastern Christian writings, over 600 volumes) external link
This series began in 1903 and includes critical editions of works in Syria, Coptic, Ethiopic, Arabic, Armenian and Georgian. Typically one volume is a critical edition while the next volume is the translation. Early translations were into Latin, but recent translations are in modern languages.
CSEL – Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum (Critical editions of early Christian Latin writings) external link
This series, begun in 1866 and continuing to the present, gives critical editions to replace the volumes in PL (see below). The CSEL website has a list of the volumes arranged by author or volume. To see a list arranged by volume, with links to volumes available free on the Internet, click here. Digitized texts of the volumes not in copyright are available here.
E
EOMIA – Ecclesiae Occidentalis Monumenta Iuris Antiquissima (9 volumes by C. H. Turner, published 1899-1939) contents listed by FCC
A checklist of the contents of EOMIA, showing which canons, creeds, and letters of which councils are found in each volume and fascicle.
F
FC – Fathers of the Church (English translations of early Christian writings) external link
This series has over 108 volumes of ancient Christian writings, many of which are available nowhere else in English translation. This series does not include the original text. This link takes to you the Catholic University Press website where you can view the titles of the volumes they have published so far.
G
GCS – Die Griechischen Christlichen Schriftsteller (Critical editions of early Christian writings) external link
This is a series of ancient Christian texts. There are currently over 50 volumes. The link is to the GCS website which gives a full listing of the texts published in GCS series.
I
ICUR – Inscriptiones Christianae Urbis Romae (Christian inscriptions from the city of Rome) volumes listed by FCC
This series is the most important collection of early Christian epigraphy, being the standard publication for Christian inscriptions found in Rome, including catacombs. These inscriptions can also be searched by ICUR number and accessed online in the Epigraphic Database Bari.
J
JK – Philipp Jaffé and Ferdinand Kaltenbrunner, Regesta Pontificum Romanorum ab Condita Ecclesia ad Annum post Christum Natum MCXCVIII, 2nd ed. (Leipzig: Veit, 1885).
This work attempted to list all known papal acts, letters, and decretals, whether extant or lost, genuine or spurious in one continuosly numbered list from St. Peter through Celestine III (1191-1198). Volume 1 extended to AD 1143.
L
LCL – Loeb Classical Library (Text and translations of Greek and Latin writings from antiquity)
Though this series of more than 400 volumes does not focus on early Christianity, it contains over 20 volumes of Christian writings.
M
Maassen – Geschichte der Quellen und der Literatur des canonischen Rechts im Abendlande (A one-volume work) contents listed by FCC
A listing of extant church canons covered in this volume, compiled by Fred Maassen, which gives the textual history of various versions of church canons and their manuscripts, collections, etc.
Mansi-Sacrorum Conciliorum (A 31-volume work) external link
Information about G. D. Mansi can be found here. His 31-volume Sacrorum Conciliorum is the only publication to contain accounts of all the early Church Councils. Though published in the later half of the 18th century, references to this work are still routine.
N
NPNF – Nicene/Post Nicene Fathers Series 1 and Series 2 (28-volumes of English translations of early Christian writings)
While over 100 years old, this set was a valuable contribution to scholarship at its time, and continues to be valuable because its copyright is expired so it is available on the internet for free. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library edition includes supplemental translations by Roger Pearse.
O
Oxford Early Christian Studies and Early Christian Texts
Oxford University publishes texts with translations under the the category Early Christian Texts, but they also have many translations without texts under the category Early Christian Studies. They have so many publications on the early church, you might have to search to make sure you didn’t miss something in another category such as Classical Studies or Biblical Studies.
P
PG – Patrologia Graeca (Texts of early Christian Greek writings) external link
This 161-volume collection of early Christian Greek writings was compiled by Migne from 1857 to 1866. The link above takes you to the Wikipedia description of the series and the volumes. A list of downloadable versions of the individual volumes can be accessed at Classics Index or at Patristica.net.
PL – Patrologia Latina (Texts early Christian Latin writings) external link
This 217-volume collection of early Christian Latin writings was compiled by Migne from 1844 to 1855.This link takes you to Wikipedia’s listing of the contents which has a few links to some volumes available online. Documenta Catholica Omnia has significant portions of 217 volumes in a read-only format. (or see entire contents) Downloadable versions of the volumes can be accessed here. A list of downloadable versions of the individual volumes can be accessed at Patristica.net.
PO – Patrologia Orientalis (Texts of early Christian writings in multiple languages, with translations in various languages)
This collection of early Christian Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Georgian, Greek and Latin writings was compiled to cover the eastern writings not covered in Patrologia Latina or Patrologia Graeca. Our page lists the contents of the volumes and notes the volumes that are available online.
S
SC – Sources-Chrétiennes (Critical editions of early Christian writings with French translations) external link
This series, begun in 1947, publishes original texts of ancient Christian writings with a French translation on the opposite page. The series contains over 500 works, including many editions of fourth-century writers. This external link will take you to a list of all the authors in their series.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary has published numerous translations and studies of the early church fathers, especially in their “Popular Patristics” series.
T
TTH – Translated Texts for Historians (English translations of important ancient texts)
Though this series does not focus exclusively on Christian authors, it contains over 15 volumes related to early Christianity. FCC lists the volumes in the series here.
See also Fourth Century Christianity’s other pages:
A listing of a few books we have consulted in making this site, or we recommend for more information.
There are several other sources on the web which can assist your study of Fourth Century Christianity
Compiled with commentary by AJW; Last Updated – 11/16/2024 by GLT
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