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Ambrose of Milan

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[[image:Ambroseofmilan.jpg|right|thumb|Saint Ambrose, mosaic in church St. Ambrogio, Milan]]Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Ambrose of Milan''' came to be [[bishop]] of Milan as the only competent candidate to succeed Auxentius, a bishop of [[Arianism|Arian]] persuasion, in 374. A [[catechumen]] and trained as a lawyer, he learned his [[theology]] through intense study of subject as he was successively [[baptism|baptized]] and then [[Consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] as Bishop of Milan. He held to the [[First Council of NicaeaNicea|Nicene]] belief and through the eloquence of his arguments he persuaded Emperor Gratian to the [[Nicene Creed|Nicene confession]]. Later, he persuaded Gratian to convene a local council, in 381, at Aquileia that deposed the Arian bishops Palladius and Secundianus from their episcopal offices and thus strengthened the Orthodox position in the West. Ambrose zealously combatted imperial court attempts at favoritism to the parties of Arians, the "old" religion, and the [[Judaism|Jews]], particularly opposing the favors from Emperor Valentinian who supported the Arians. In defending the Orthodox position he has often been compared to St. [[Hilary of Poitiers]]. He was known for his [[sermon]]s which greatly influenced the [[conversion]] of [[Augustine of Hippo]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[December 7]].
==Life==
Ambrose was born a citizen of Rome in Trier, Germany, between 337 and 340. His family were Christians. His father was prefect of Gallia Narbonensis, his mother a woman of intellect. He was educated in Rome a for a career following that of his father. As his education in literature, law, and rhetoric progressed he was placed by praetor Anicius Probus on the council of Ligura and Emilia and then made consular prefect with headquarters in Milan. In this position he established himself as an excellent administrator.
[[File:Ambrose-milan0010.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Saint Ambrose of Milan]]
In the contention between the Nicene and Arian parties for the succession to the vacant [[see]] of Milan after the death of the Arian Auxentius in 374, an address that Ambrose delivered in the midst of the crisis led to his acclamation as the only competent candidate for the position of bishop of Milan. While he was only a catechumen, he was quickly baptized and then within days installed as the new bishop of Milan. He quickly began studying theological under Simplician, a [[presbyter]] of Rome. After settling his personal life, dividing his money among the poor and arranging for the care of his family, and he, then, devoted himself to the work of the church.
While much of his support from the people came from his popularity and reverence paid to him, he also built upon these associations with the poor and with introduction of popular reforms in the order and manner of public worship. He also preached on the public characters of his time, in which the applause of the people was often mingled with derision of the imperial court. While the court was often displeased with his religious positions and his conduct, they respected his political talents and when the need arose, they solicited his aid which he generously granted. Thus, when Magnus Maximus usurped power in Gaul and was considering entering Italy, Valentinian asked Ambrose to go to Gaul and dissuade him from doing so. Ambrose's journey was successful. In a second try for mediation, Ambrose was not as successful as his advice was not followed, allowing Maximus to enter Italy and take Milan. While Justina and her son fled, Ambrose remained in Milan and attended to many of those who suffered from the invasion.
In the power struggles of the late fourth century, [[Theodosius the Great|Theodosius I]], emperor of the East, came to be in undisputed possession of the Roman empire. Yet, Ambrose chastised Theodosius for a massacre in [[Thessalonica]], bidding him to emulate [[David]] in repentance. Also, he encouraged Theodosius in the enactment of the "Theodosian decrees" which were more characteristic of Ambrose agenda that that of Theodosius. After the defeat of Eugenius he asked for pardon of those who supported Eugenius. Ambrose passed away on [[April 4]], 397, two years after the death of Theodosius. Ambrose's successor as bishop of Milan was Simplician.
Ambrose is ranked with the great Western Christian leaders of the time: Augustine, St. [[Jerome]], St. [[Gregory the Great]], and St. [[Hilary of Poitiers]]. Ambrose was most known for his administrative talents, given his education and early experience before becoming a bishop. Yet, like Hilary he was an Alexandrian and was in the forefront in the doctrinal issues of the day, particularly those concerning Arianism. His sermons were famous and were influential in the conversion of Augustine. His endeavors in [[hymnography|hymn writing]] became models of hymns of dignified simplicity for future times. Ambrose is credited with introducing [[antiphonal chant]]ing wherein one choir alternates with another. Of particular note is that Ambrose baptized Augustine, his celebrated convert.
==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103485 St. Ambrose the Bishop of Milan] ([[OCA]])
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.aspsaints_view?contentid=326 &type=saints Ambrose, Bishop of Milan] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/TOC.htm Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. X: St. Ambrose] from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
*[[Wikipedia:Ambrose]]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/a/cap09.htm St. Ambrose of Milan's Icon and story]
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:4th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]
[[ro:Ambrozie al Milanului]]
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