During the height of the Roman Empire, it spanned across most of Europe and included parts of Asia Minor and Africa. Also during the early A.D. centuries, paganism and Christianity were locked in fierce battle for most of the time. Saint Ambrose was instrumental in helping Christianity become the most popular religion to the citizens of that time. His oratory skill lives on in his many writings.
Birth and Family Circumstances of Ambrose
Ambrose was born to a noble and very powerful family. His father, Ambrosius, held the highest office possible for a subject – praetorian prefect of Gaul, an area that included present-day France, Britain, Spain, and part of Africa. Ambrose was born in either 339 or 340 a.d. in Trier (most often quoted), Arles, or Lyons. His mother, as with the mother of many saints, was extremely devout. His father died while Ambrose was quite young, and the family moved to Rome. His older sister, Marcellina, was a virgin nun. Ambrose and his older brother Satyrus both studied law, philosophy, and Greek. His education in Greek and in Greek writings was to become extremely important later in his life.
Religious Calling of Ambrose
Ambrose practiced law during his early life. His knowledge, eloquence, and ability helped him to become head of all civil administration, police, and justice systems in Milan, the very same city of which he was shortly to become bishop. It is unknown how long he kept this post, but legend has that he was very popular with the citizens, a bit of a surprise, as Milan was split into fierce factions at the time. The Arian faction, in particular, was well-populated, as it was throughout the Roman Empire. This split — the Arian's believed that Jesus was not actually God, simply a creature created by God — was the major source of religious difference throughout the empire. When the Milan bishop, Auxentius, an Arian, died in 374, a new bishop needed to be elected. The populace elected Ambrose by acclimation, much to his surprise and displeasure. Ambrose refused the post, but was forced by the Emperor himself to accept the position as bishop.
Ambrose's Life in the Church- Fighting Heresy
Ambrose was consecrated as bishop of Milan on December 7, 374, which is still the feast day in which he is honored. People at the time were not baptized until close to death, as sins after baptism were considered especially evil. Ambrose, therefore, in what would later be an oddity, had to be baptized immediately before his consecration. It was during this time in his life that he began his writings, which were to become famous. His adherents included Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine, later in Ambrose's life, was to become a follower also. With multiple changes in rulers, assassinations, and splits between the West and East civil rulers, Ambrose retained his dedication to the Church and attempted to help maintain peace. Despite pressure from different rulers, he remained a staunch Catholic, and refused to give into Arian influence.
He refused a royal edict to hand over a basilica for Arian worship. He also refused a royal announcement that made Arian worship the law of the land, preaching against it openly on Palm Sunday 386. During his tenure as bishop, he allowed all — noble and peasant — to visit. He also prayed often, fasted, and studied Scripture and other writings. His study and knowledge of Greek helped him in his most famous writings. He also put forth the proposition — radical at the time — that intellect and faith could exist together. Ambrose's most famous act is probably his exhortations of the Emperor Theodosius, who was responsible for the slaughter of 7,000 people. Yielding to the pressure applied by Ambrose, the Emperor did public penance, as any commoner would. This was an amazing act of the Church having authority over the civil government of the time.
Ambrose's Death & Sainthood
Ambrose died on Good Friday, April 4, 397. Legend has that for hours preceding his death, he lay with his arms extended, as if on the cross. He was buried in his basilica. Supposed miracles associated with the saint include him bringing a dead boy back to life, exorcising demons, healings, and having visions of his Lord, Jesus. Ambrose was not only canonized, but became one of only Four Great Doctors of the Western Church (the others being Saints Jerome, Augustine, and Pope Gregory the Great). His writings include commentaries on some books of the Bible, volumes later translated by different scholars, and transcripts of his many sermons. Saint Ambrose is considered the patron saint of many different vocations and causes, among them bees and beekeepers – a reference to his "honey tongue," candle makers, learning, schoolchildren, Milan (of course), Bologna, and oddly enough, geese.
Saint Ambrose's Fight Against Heresy Remains His Legacy
Saint Ambrose is one of those individuals of the early Church that was instrumental in defining what the Church was later to become. Not only during his life, but in his death- through his writings- he has affected some of the other great persons of the Church. Perhaps the emblem of Saint Ambrose — a whip, to symbolize his fight against heresy — is the most telling about his mission in life.
Sources:
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Saints. Visionary Living, Inc. Checkmark Books, New York, NY
Loughlin, James F. (2007). Ambrose, Saint. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1914. Catholic Answers (2007), San Diego, CA. Link to Article.
Paul, Tessa. (2009). The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints. Lorenz Books, Anness Publishing Ltd. London, UK.
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