The Didache
An early guide to Christian life and worship, with teaching on Baptism, fasting, prayer, the Eucharist, ministry, and church order.
~13 min 16 chapters
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Apostolic Fathers
The earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament
About this collection
The Apostolic Fathers preserve some of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. They come from the generations nearest the apostles and give a vivid picture of the Church as it took root and grew.
These writings show Christian life in practice: prayer and fasting, the Eucharist, church order, persecution, repentance, and disputes within local communities. The Didache gives practical instruction for Christian life and worship. First Clement speaks to a church divided by conflict. St Ignatius of Antioch writes with urgency about Christ, the Eucharist, the unity of the Church, and faithfulness in the face of death.
Other works deal with martyrdom, pastoral care, repentance, and the place of Christians in the wider world. The collection gives a close view of how the apostolic faith was being received, lived, and handed on in the earliest generations of the Church.
Texts in this collection
First Clement
A letter to a divided church, calling the Christians of Corinth back to peace, humility, repentance, and good order.
~55 min 65 chapters
Letter to the Ephesians
One of Ignatius’s fullest letters, centered on Christ, the Eucharist, the unity of the Church, and faithfulness in Christian life.
~11 min 22 chapters
Letter to the Magnesians
An early witness to church order and Christian identity, with Ignatius urging unity around a young bishop and a life shaped by faith in Christ.
~7 min 16 chapters
Letter to the Trallians
An early witness to the close link Ignatius draws between Church unity and the confession that Christ truly suffered, died, and rose again.
~6 min 14 chapters
Letter to the Romans
A striking early witness to Christian martyrdom and discipleship, focused on Ignatius’s approaching death rather than a dispute within a local church.
~7 min 11 chapters
Letter to the Philadelphians
A strong expression of Ignatius’s vision of one Eucharistic fellowship, written amid division and disagreement over teaching.
~6 min 12 chapters
Letter to the Smyrnaeans
A vivid early witness to the connection Ignatius draws between Christ’s real humanity, the Eucharist, and the unity of the Church.
~7 min 14 chapters
Letter to Polycarp
A more personal side of Ignatius, offering pastoral counsel to St Polycarp on leadership, discipline, perseverance, and care for the people entrusted to him.
~5 min 9 chapters
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
An early account of Christian martyrdom that remembers St Polycarp’s death as a faithful witness to Christ.
~15 min 22 chapters
The Shepherd of Hermas
A work of visions, commandments, and parables calling Christians to repentance, purity, perseverance, and readiness for judgment.
~2 hrs 32 min 27 reading sections
Letter to Diognetus
A defense of the Christian faith that explains Christian worship, moral life, and the place of Christians within the wider world.
~16 min 12 chapters