Doctor Of The Church

Originally, the list only included the Western theologians Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, Jerome and Pope Gregory I, who were named in 1298. The Eastern Doctors, Athanasius, Basil, John Chrysostom, and Gregory of Nazianzus were named in 1568 along with Thomas Aquinas. The three most recent to be named are all women.

The Doctors' works vary greatly in subject and form. Some were prominent writers of letters and short treatises (e.g., Gregory, Ambrose). Others wrote mystic theology (e.g., Catherine of Siena, John of the Cross). Many doctors wrote works defending the Church against heresy (e.g., Augustine, Bellarmine). Augustine also wrote the world's first autobiography (his 'Confessions'). Bede's ' Ecclesiastical History Of The English People ' provides the best information on England in the early middle ages. Systematic theologians include the Scholastic philosophers Anselm, Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas, who is also seen as one of the most significant Medieval thinkers of Western Europe. The writings of the early Doctors provide excellent insights into early Christianity.

The Catholic Church lists the following thirty-three Doctors of the Church; date of promotion to Doctor is listed, if available. The saints marked with an asterisk are venerated by Eastern Orthodoxy as well, but the Eastern Orthodox Church itself does not use the term ''Doctor of the Church''.