Abstract
The book Priesthood in the First Centuries of the Church. II: Fourth to Fifth Centuries is a continuation of the previous book dedicated to the Patristic theology of the priesthood in the first three centuries.
It provides an overview of Patristic view on the priesthood in the writings of the Church Fathers of the 4th and the 5th century both in the East and the West. Each chapter provides a concise summary of the Church Father's life and theology of the priesthood, followed by an anthology of the primary texts related to the ministry of bishops and priests.
The first part focuses on the Eastern Church Fathers, starting with the Cappadocians, i.e. with Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa. The most prolific author regarding the priesthood, which is John Chrysostom, is studied and presented as well.
Then, an example of a bishop who was part both of the classical and the Christian world is made, i.e. that of Synesius of Cyrene. As the Western Fathers show much more interest in the ministry of the bishops and the priests, the second part is dedicated to them, starting with the Council of Elvira, followed by Hilarius of Arles, the Ambrosiaster, Ambrose of Milan, and his circle, Chromatius of Aquileia, and Maximus of Turin.
After the presentation of Jerome of Stridon, much attention is given to the greatest of the Western Christian writers, i.e. to Augustine of Hippo. The last of the studied authors is Leo the Great.
The book also provides ample bibliography on the ancient Christian writers and their theology of the priesthood, and indices.