Prospective of synthesis: the formation of priests in the early centuries of the Church[1]
 
 
In the previous chapters—after an extensive methodological and bibliographic introduction—we have examined a few texts that deal with priestly formation, in reference to the “tradition of Antioch” (from Ignatius to John Chrysostom) and the “Alexandrian tradition” (mostly Origen).
In this concluding chapter we would like to bring together in a historical systematic framework—from the origins to the 5th century—the readings and the reflections we have had so far. Thus the references to the specific theme of priestly formation in the Fathers will flow along with the historical discourse on the origins and the development of the hierarchical ministers in the Church.[2]

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