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(If any of the references don’t make sense, do some fascinating research & learn about these giants of our Faith!)

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ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (ca 50- ca 110)
They hauled to Rome’s arena this great Bishop bound in fetters
En route he wrote to feed his Flock with seven zealous letters
He called Christ’s Bread a medicine for everlasting glory
Himself became “pure bread of Christ” for lions; a true story!

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ST. JUSTIN MARTYR (ca 100- ca 165)
“Apology” was written in response to persecution
It argued Mother Church to be a peaceful institution
He called the idols “demons” (note, this wasn’t metaphorical)
For Christ fulfilled, as “Logos”, every kind of ancient oracle!

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ST. IRENAEUS OF LYONS (ca 120- ca 202)
In “Countering the Heresies” he laid the errors bare
Valentinus and his claims he warned all to beware
He taught that Christ was “second Adam”, God and man in full
His “Mary-Eve” typology blooms love for Mary’s role

For Valentinus claimed salvation lies in secret “gnosis”
But Irenaeus taught that Gnosticism was atrocious
He taught a truth that’s known as “Anakephalaiosis”:
Christ Jesus recapitulated ALL, and that’s TRUE GNOSIS!

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TERTULLIAN OF CARTHAGE (ca 160- ca 220)
Tertullian abandoned false and harmful paganism
A Catholic he became but then accepted Montanism
He said the “blood of martyrs is the seed” for Mother Church
His view of Christ’s two natures guides all seekers in their search

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ST. CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE (d. 258)
St. Cyprian said, don’t delay, get baptized super quickly
The Eucharist makes present Jesus’ sacrifice of Calvary
If Holy Church is not your Mother, God is not your Father
If you’re not with an apostolic bishop, then don’t bother!

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ORIGEN OF ALEXANDRIA (ca 185- ca 254)
Young Origen sought martyrdom but mom emptied his dresser
The leader of two schools and a very smart professor
His speculations weird may make you think him a regressor
But later tortured for his faith, he died a brave confessor

Origen, claimed St. Jerome, was father to Arianism
(Arius was no church father! He fomented schism!)
Origen said there’s no time when Christ did not exist
Think him a big heretic? O no! Cease and desist!

For Origen was very influential and prolific
His teachings found in “De Principi’is” are just terrific
And commentaries on the Word by Origen abound
With sanctifying content that’s doctrinally quite sound!