Who Are the Church Fathers in Orthodox Christianity?

The Church Fathers are influential bishops, theologians, teachers, monks, and other Christian writers whose lives and teaching helped express and defend the faith of the early Church.

Are the Fathers a separate source of revelation? No. Orthodox Christians value the Fathers because they witness to the life of the Church and help explain Scripture and Holy Tradition rather than replace them.

Do all Fathers say exactly the same thing? No. Their writings come from different centuries and circumstances. Orthodox theology looks especially to the broad consensus of the Fathers on matters of faith.

For the larger context, see What Is Holy Tradition?.