ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. leaders and thinkers, living mostly between the end of the first century and the eighth century, whose writings (including biblical commentaries, sermons, histories, poetry and biography) were considered to carry particular authority. Key figures included St Ambrose (b. 340), BishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain of Milan (374-397), St JeromeJerome, St (330/347-420). Biblical scholar. Studied in Rome, then adopted ascetic life. Eventually settled in Bethlehem. Main translator of the Vulgate (340/2-420) and St Augustine (b. 354), Bishop of Hippo in North Africa (396-430). The term can also refer more generally to the many churchmen who were deemed to be authoritative commentators on doctrinal, theological, liturgicalLiturgical Relating to the liturgy (worship) of the church and the festivals of the Church Year. and biblical matters between the 1st and 12th centuries.