# Patristic Lineage

> A sourced visualization of the human chain from Jesus through the Apostles to the Church Fathers (AD 30 – 750). Every person and every relationship is backed by a primary-source citation (Eusebius, Irenaeus, Jerome, etc.) graded as documented, tradition, or disputed.

Total figures tracked: 206. Total relationships: 317.

## Core pages
- [Lineage home](https://patristic.io/): interactive timeline + network graph of all figures.
- [Father of the Day](https://patristic.io/today): a daily-rotating featured figure with a full reading card and newsletter signup. Deterministic by date — same date always returns the same figure. JSON at https://patristic.io/api/today.
- [Map](https://patristic.io/map): geographic Mediterranean view with a year scrubber (AD 30–760) showing where figures were active across time.
- [Bishops](https://patristic.io/bishops): bishops grouped by their see (Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople, etc.), ordered chronologically — the apostolic-succession-proper view of the dataset.
- [Schisms](https://patristic.io/schisms): every major split of the patristic age (Judaizers through 1054), with the question, what was decided, and who was involved — color-coded by whether the schism was resolved, lingered, or remains in effect.
- [Start here](https://patristic.io/start-here): plain-English introduction to the Fathers, the eras, and the terminology.
- [Directory](https://patristic.io/directory): searchable index of every figure.
- [Methodology](https://patristic.io/about): how relationships are sourced and graded; explains apostolic-succession-vs-transmission distinction.

## Eras
- [All eras overview](https://patristic.io/eras): summary card and visual timeline for every era.
- [Apostolic age (5–100)](https://patristic.io/eras/apostolic): Jesus, the Twelve, Paul; the New Testament being written.
- [Apostolic Fathers (100–150)](https://patristic.io/eras/apostolic-fathers): the generation that personally knew the apostles or their immediate students.
- [Apologists (130–200)](https://patristic.io/eras/apologists): Christians defending the faith in writing to pagans and heretics.
- [Ante-Nicene (200–325)](https://patristic.io/eras/ante-nicene): bishops define orthodoxy under persecution; ends with the Council of Nicaea.
- [Nicene (325–451)](https://patristic.io/eras/nicene): the great councils — Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, Chalcedon.
- [Post-Nicene (451–600)](https://patristic.io/eras/post-nicene): Christology aftermath, monasticism, Augustine's legacy in the Latin west.
- [Early Medieval (600–750)](https://patristic.io/eras/early-medieval): patristic learning carried by monasteries; closes with John of Damascus.
- [Desert Fathers (250–500)](https://patristic.io/eras/desert-fathers): Egyptian and Syrian ascetic movement; overlaps Ante-Nicene through Post-Nicene.

## Data
- [People (JSON)](https://patristic.io/api/people.json): full structured data for all 206 figures.
- [Relationships (JSON)](https://patristic.io/api/relationships.json): all 317 edges with citations.
- [Schema](https://patristic.io/about): definitions for fields and relationship types.

## Major figures
- [Jesus of Nazareth (-4–30)](https://patristic.io/fathers/jesus-of-nazareth): Central figure of Christianity. Jewish teacher from Nazareth, crucified under Pontius Pilate c. AD 30; confessed by Christians as the Messiah and Son of God. Called and taught the Twelve Apostles.
- [Peter (1–64)](https://patristic.io/fathers/peter-the-apostle): Chief of the Twelve Apostles. Fisherman from Bethsaida; preached at Pentecost, traveled widely, and traditionally martyred in Rome under Nero. Counted by Roman tradition as first bishop of Rome.
- [James the Just (1–62)](https://patristic.io/fathers/james-the-just): Called 'brother of the Lord' in the New Testament (Galatians 1:19; Mark 6:3) — Catholic and Orthodox tradition reads this as kinsman or step-brother through Joseph's prior marriage; most Protestants read it as a literal sibling. Either way, leader of the Jerusalem church for some thirty years. Presided at the Apostolic Council (Acts 15); martyred c. 62 by stoning under high priest Ananus per Josephus and Hegesippus.
- [Luke the Evangelist (1–84)](https://patristic.io/fathers/luke-the-evangelist): Physician and companion of Paul, traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. Identified by Irenaeus as 'a follower of Paul'.
- [Paul of Tarsus (5–65)](https://patristic.io/fathers/paul-of-tarsus): Pharisee turned apostle to the Gentiles after his Damascus-road encounter. Author of at least seven undisputed letters in the New Testament; martyred in Rome under Nero.
- [Mark the Evangelist (5–68)](https://patristic.io/fathers/mark-the-evangelist): Companion of Paul and Barnabas, then 'interpreter' of Peter at Rome (per Papias). Traditional author of the Gospel of Mark and founder of the church of Alexandria.
- [John the Apostle (6–100)](https://patristic.io/fathers/john-the-apostle): Son of Zebedee, brother of James, one of the Twelve and of the inner three. By tradition resided in Ephesus, taught Polycarp and Papias, and lived to the reign of Trajan.
- [Clement of Rome (35–99)](https://patristic.io/fathers/clement-of-rome): Bishop of Rome late in the 1st century. Author of 1 Clement to the Corinthian church c. AD 96 — the earliest surviving Christian document outside the New Testament.
- [Ignatius of Antioch (35–108)](https://patristic.io/fathers/ignatius-of-antioch): Bishop of Antioch, arrested and sent to Rome under Trajan c. 107-110, writing seven letters en route to the churches and to Polycarp. Martyred in Rome.
- [Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155)](https://patristic.io/fathers/polycarp-of-smyrna): Bishop of Smyrna and (per Irenaeus) disciple of John the Apostle. Wrote to the Philippians; martyred by burning c. 155-156. Teacher of Irenaeus of Lyons.
- [Justin Martyr (100–165)](https://patristic.io/fathers/justin-martyr): Greek philosopher converted to Christianity who wrote two Apologies and the Dialogue with Trypho. Taught in Rome and was martyred under Marcus Aurelius c. 165.
- [Irenaeus of Lyons (130–202)](https://patristic.io/fathers/irenaeus-of-lyons): Bishop of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp, and author of Against Heresies, the foundational anti-Gnostic work. Bridge between apostolic and ante-Nicene eras.
- [Clement of Alexandria (150–215)](https://patristic.io/fathers/clement-of-alexandria): Successor to Pantaenus at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Author of Protrepticus, Paedagogus, and Stromateis. Teacher of Origen.
- [Tertullian (155–220)](https://patristic.io/fathers/tertullian): First major Latin Christian author; coined much of Western theological vocabulary (trinitas, persona, substantia). Apologeticus, Adv. Marcionem, De Praescriptione. Later joined the New Prophecy (Montanism).
- [Hippolytus of Rome (170–235)](https://patristic.io/fathers/hippolytus-of-rome): Roman presbyter (and possibly antipope) who wrote the Refutation of All Heresies and the Apostolic Tradition. Exiled to Sardinia under Maximinus Thrax. Some scholars split this figure into two; tradition treats him as one.
- [Origen of Alexandria (185–254)](https://patristic.io/fathers/origen-of-alexandria): Towering Alexandrian biblical scholar and theologian; produced the Hexapla, On First Principles, Against Celsus, and vast commentaries. Tortured under Decius and died from injuries.
- [Cyprian of Carthage (200–258)](https://patristic.io/fathers/cyprian-of-carthage): Bishop of Carthage from 248/9; led the African church through the Decian and Valerianic persecutions. Wrote De Unitate Ecclesiae and 81 letters. Martyred 14 September 258.
- [Anthony the Great (251–356)](https://patristic.io/fathers/anthony-the-great): Father of Christian monasticism; Egyptian hermit whose life was written by Athanasius. Withdrew to the desert c. 285 and helped pattern the eremitic life.
- [Arius (256–336)](https://patristic.io/fathers/arius): Alexandrian presbyter whose teaching that the Son was a created being sparked the Arian controversy. Condemned at Nicaea (325). Heretic.
- [Eusebius of Caesarea (263–339)](https://patristic.io/fathers/eusebius-of-caesarea): Bishop of Caesarea; the 'Father of Church History,' author of Historia Ecclesiastica, Praeparatio Evangelica, Demonstratio Evangelica, and the Life of Constantine. Pupil of Pamphilus.
- [Constantine the Great (272–337)](https://patristic.io/fathers/constantine-the-great): First Christian Roman emperor. Issued the Edict of Milan (313), convened the Council of Nicaea (325), and was baptized on his deathbed by Eusebius of Nicomedia.
- [Pachomius the Great (292–348)](https://patristic.io/fathers/pachomius): Founder of cenobitic (communal) monasticism in Egypt. Established the monastery at Tabennisi and wrote the first monastic rule.
- [Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373)](https://patristic.io/fathers/athanasius-of-alexandria): Bishop of Alexandria and chief defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism. Five times exiled. Wrote On the Incarnation and the Vita Antonii.
- [Ephrem the Syrian (306–373)](https://patristic.io/fathers/ephrem-the-syrian): Syriac deacon, hymnographer and poet-theologian of Nisibis and Edessa. Author of the Hymns on Faith and Hymns on Paradise.
- [Hilary of Poitiers (310–367)](https://patristic.io/fathers/hilary-of-poitiers): Bishop of Poitiers and 'Athanasius of the West.' Defender of Nicene Trinitarianism in Latin; wrote De Trinitate while exiled in Phrygia.
- [Epiphanius of Salamis (310–403)](https://patristic.io/fathers/epiphanius-of-salamis): Bishop of Salamis on Cyprus. Heresiologist; author of the Panarion ('Medicine Chest') against 80 heresies. Vigorous opponent of Origenism.
- [Martin of Tours (316–397)](https://patristic.io/fathers/martin-of-tours): Soldier turned monk and bishop of Tours. Pioneer of Western monasticism; subject of Sulpicius Severus's Vita Martini.
- [Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390)](https://patristic.io/fathers/gregory-of-nazianzus): Cappadocian Father, briefly Archbishop of Constantinople (380-381) and presider over the First Council of Constantinople. Known as 'the Theologian' for his Five Theological Orations.
- [Basil of Caesarea (330–379)](https://patristic.io/fathers/basil-of-caesarea): Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, founder of cenobitic monastic rules in the East, author of On the Holy Spirit. One of the three Cappadocian Fathers.
- [Gregory of Nyssa (335–395)](https://patristic.io/fathers/gregory-of-nyssa): Younger brother of Basil and the third Cappadocian Father. Author of the Life of Moses, Catechetical Oration, and Life of Macrina.
- [Ambrose of Milan (339–397)](https://patristic.io/fathers/ambrose-of-milan): Bishop of Milan and one of the four Latin Doctors. Confronted emperors Theodosius and Valentinian; baptized Augustine in 387.
- [Evagrius Ponticus (345–399)](https://patristic.io/fathers/evagrius-ponticus): Pontic monk in the Egyptian desert. Pioneer of systematic monastic theology (Praktikos, Chapters on Prayer); originated the eight 'logismoi' that became the seven deadly sins.
- [Jerome (347–420)](https://patristic.io/fathers/jerome-of-stridon): Translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible; biblical scholar and prolific letter-writer. Settled in Bethlehem from 386.
- [Shenoute of Atripe (348–466)](https://patristic.io/fathers/shenoute-of-atripe): Coptic abbot of the White Monastery near Atripe (Sohag) in Upper Egypt for some eight decades, the most prolific writer in the Coptic language and arguably the most important figure of native Egyptian Christianity in late antiquity. He authored a vast corpus of sermons, letters, and rules (the Canons), reformed cenobitic discipline beyond the Pachomian model, attacked surviving paganism in the Thebaid, and accompanied Cyril of Alexandria to the Council of Ephesus in 431. Largely absent from Greek and Latin patrologies, his Coptic Sahidic corpus is now central to the study of late-antique monasticism.
- [John Chrysostom (349–407)](https://patristic.io/fathers/john-chrysostom): Archbishop of Constantinople, called 'Golden-Mouth' for his preaching. Greatest preacher of the Greek Fathers; deposed and exiled at the Synod of the Oak (403).
- [Theodore of Mopsuestia (350–428)](https://patristic.io/fathers/theodore-of-mopsuestia): Bishop of Mopsuestia, leading Antiochene exegete and teacher of Nestorius. Posthumously condemned at the Second Council of Constantinople (553).
- [Augustine of Hippo (354–430)](https://patristic.io/fathers/augustine-of-hippo): Bishop of Hippo and the most influential Latin Father. Author of Confessions, City of God, On the Trinity, and the anti-Pelagian works.
- [John Cassian (360–435)](https://patristic.io/fathers/john-cassian): Brought Egyptian monastic spirituality to the Latin West. Author of the Institutes and Conferences; founded monasteries at Marseilles.
- [Cyril of Alexandria (376–444)](https://patristic.io/fathers/cyril-of-alexandria): Patriarch of Alexandria. Chief architect of Christological orthodoxy; presided over the Council of Ephesus (431) which condemned Nestorius.
- [Patrick of Ireland (385–461)](https://patristic.io/fathers/patrick-of-ireland): British missionary bishop who evangelized Ireland in the fifth century. Wrote the Confessio and the Letter to Coroticus, the only sure primary documents.
- [Nestorius (386–451)](https://patristic.io/fathers/nestorius): Archbishop of Constantinople (428-431). Condemned at Ephesus (431) for distinguishing two persons in Christ and denying the title Theotokos. Heretic.
- [Theodoret of Cyrus (393–460)](https://patristic.io/fathers/theodoret-of-cyrus): Bishop of Cyrrhus, Antiochene exegete and historian. Author of an Ecclesiastical History; defended Nestorius then accepted Chalcedon (451).
- [Pope Leo I (400–461)](https://patristic.io/fathers/pope-leo-i): Bishop of Rome 440-461. His Tome (Epistula 28) was acclaimed at the Council of Chalcedon (451). Negotiated with Attila in 452.
- [Boethius (477–524)](https://patristic.io/fathers/boethius): Roman Christian senator, philosopher, and theologian. Wrote the Consolation of Philosophy in prison and the theological Opuscula Sacra (Tractates) defending Chalcedonian Christology and Trinitarian doctrine. Executed under Theodoric. Bridges classical philosophy and medieval scholasticism.
- [Benedict of Nursia (480–547)](https://patristic.io/fathers/benedict-of-nursia): Founder of Western monasticism. Established Monte Cassino c. 529 and authored the Rule of St Benedict, which became the foundational rule for Western cenobitic life. Known almost entirely through Gregory the Great's Dialogues Book 2.
- [Pope Gregory I (the Great) (540–604)](https://patristic.io/fathers/gregory-the-great): Pope from 590-604 and one of the four traditional Latin Doctors of the Church. Wrote the Moralia in Job, Pastoral Rule, Dialogues, and ~850 letters. Sent the Gregorian mission under Augustine to convert the Anglo-Saxons. Reformed liturgy and chant; deeply indebted to Augustine.
- [Isidore of Seville (560–636)](https://patristic.io/fathers/isidore-of-seville): Archbishop of Seville and last of the Latin Fathers. Encyclopedist whose Etymologiae preserved classical learning for the Middle Ages. Presided at the Fourth Council of Toledo (633).
- [Maximus the Confessor (580–662)](https://patristic.io/fathers/maximus-the-confessor): Greek monk and the principal theological opponent of Monothelitism. Defended two wills (divine and human) in Christ. Tried, mutilated (tongue and right hand cut off), and exiled by Constans II. Major systematizer of Greek patristic theology; deep influence on John of Damascus and later Byzantine theology.
- [Bede the Venerable (673–735)](https://patristic.io/fathers/bede-the-venerable): Anglo-Saxon Benedictine monk at Jarrow. Author of Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, the principal source for early English Christianity. Wrote extensive biblical commentaries drawing on Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose, and Gregory the Great. Declared Doctor of the Church.
- [John of Damascus (675–749)](https://patristic.io/fathers/john-of-damascus): Greek monk at Mar Saba and the traditional last of the Greek Fathers. Author of the Fount of Knowledge (including Dialectica, On Heresies, and De Fide Orthodoxa) — the great synthesis of Greek patristic theology. Wrote three Orations Against Those Who Attack the Holy Images defending icons during the iconoclast controversy.
- [Mary, mother of Jesus (?–50)](https://patristic.io/fathers/mary-mother-of-jesus): Mother of Jesus of Nazareth. Present at the crucifixion and entrusted to the disciple John; numbered among the disciples gathered before Pentecost.
- [Mary Magdalene (?–?)](https://patristic.io/fathers/mary-magdalene): Disciple of Jesus from Magdala in Galilee; first witness of the resurrection in all four Gospels. Called 'apostle to the apostles' by later tradition.
- [Andrew (?–60)](https://patristic.io/fathers/andrew-the-apostle): Brother of Peter, fisherman from Bethsaida, one of the Twelve. Traditionally evangelized Scythia and Achaea and was crucified at Patras.
- [James, son of Zebedee (?–44)](https://patristic.io/fathers/james-son-of-zebedee): Brother of John, son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve and of the inner three. Beheaded by Herod Agrippa I c. AD 44 — the first apostle martyred.
- [Matthew the Apostle (?–80)](https://patristic.io/fathers/matthew-the-apostle): Tax collector called by Jesus, one of the Twelve, traditionally the author of the Gospel of Matthew (originally in 'the Hebrew dialect' per Papias).
- [Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (?–530)](https://patristic.io/fathers/pseudo-dionysius-the-areopagite): Anonymous late 5th/early 6th-century Syrian Christian Neoplatonist who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite (Acts 17:34). Author of the Corpus Areopagiticum: Divine Names, Mystical Theology, Celestial Hierarchy, Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, and Letters. Hugely influential on later mystical and scholastic theology. NOT Paul's Athenian convert; identity disputed.