APOSTOLIC FATHERS. — Since J.-B. Cotelier (d. 1686) gathered into a single collection the works of Barnabas, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, and Hermas as “patres aevi apostolici,” the term “Apostolic Fathers” has been in use. Later, Papias, the fragments of the Elders cited by St. Irenaeus, the Epistle to Diognetus, and the Didache were added to this group.
This designation has only a practical value, for chronologically it does not correspond in every case to its pretensions, dogmatically it is not clear, nor does it reflect the diverse literary genres of all these works.
BIBL.: Among the editions of the A.F., the following are cited: O. Gebhardt-Ad. Harnack-Th. Zahn, Leipzig 1875-77; J. B. Lightfoot, 5 vols., London 1889-91; F. X. Funk, I Tübingen 1901, II published by Fr. Diekamp, 1913; S. Colombo, Turin 1934. V. also E. J. Goodspeed, Index Patristicus sive clavis Patrum Apostolicorum, Leipzig 1907. Studies: H. Reinhold, De graecitate Patrum Apostolicorum (Dissertationes philologicae Halenses, 14 [1808]); A. Cassano, Massa, I P. A., Rome 1938. See also the commentaries in H. Lietzmann, Handbuch zum neuen Testament. Ergänzungsband, Tübingen 1920-23.