Ambrose, St

views updated

Ambrose, St (c.339–97). Bishop of Milan. He was trained in rhetoric and law, and assumed the see in c.374, after having been civil governor. He was famous as a preacher and champion of orthodoxy (e.g. against the Arians). He was a strong advocate of monasticism, writing on asceticism, and also interpreting Eastern theology for the West. He is one of the four original Doctors of the W. Church. Feast day, usually 7 Dec.

More From encyclopedia.com