Ambrose facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Ambrose of Milan
Bishop of Milan
Detail from possibly contemporary mosaic (c. 380–500) of Ambrose in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Diocese	Mediolanum (Milan)
See	Mediolanum
Enthroned	374 AD
Reign ended	4 April 397
Predecessor	Auxentius
Successor	Simplician
Orders
Consecration	7 December 374
Personal details
Birth name	Aurelius Ambrosius
Born	c. 339 Augusta Treverorum, Gallia Belgica, Roman Empire (modern-day Trier, Germany)
Died	4 April 397(397-04-04) (aged 56–57) Mediolanum, Italia, Roman Empire (modern-day Milan, Italy)
Buried	Crypt of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Denomination	Christian
Sainthood
Feast day	7 December
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Churches Oriental Orthodox Churches Anglican Communion Lutheranism
Title as Saint	Doctor of the Church
Patronage	Milan and beekeepers Other patronage Bakers of honeybread, bees, bishops, candlemakers, chandlers, domestic animals, the French Commissariat, geese, gingerbread makers, learning, schoolchildren, stone masons, students, wax melters and Bologna
Shrines	Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Ambrose of Milan (born around 339, died 397), also known as Saint Ambrose, was an important Christian leader and thinker. He served as the Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. Ambrose was a strong supporter of Roman Christianity, speaking out against other Christian beliefs like Arianism and against paganism. He wrote many influential books and hymns, making him one of the most important religious figures of his time.

Ambrose was a Roman governor in Milan when people unexpectedly chose him to be their bishop in 374. As bishop, he took a firm stand on his beliefs. He is also known for influencing Augustine of Hippo, another famous Christian saint, helping him convert to Christianity. Today, Ambrose is recognized as one of the four traditional Doctors of the Church in Western Christianity. He is considered a saint by many Christian churches and is the patron saint of Milan and beekeepers.

Who Was Saint Ambrose?
Ambrose and the Emperors
Ambrose's Character and Beliefs
Music and Hymns
Images for kids
See Also

Who Was Saint Ambrose?

His Early Life

A relief carving showing Ambrose as a baby with bees around his crib. This carving is from the Altar of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan.

Ambrose was born into a Christian Roman family around the year 339. He was born in Augusta Trevorum, which is now Trier, Germany. His father was likely a high-ranking Roman official.

A famous story says that when Ambrose was a baby, a swarm of bees landed on his face while he was in his cradle. They left a drop of honey. His father saw this as a sign that Ambrose would become a great speaker with a "honeyed tongue." Because of this story, bees and beehives are often seen as symbols of Saint Ambrose.

Ambrose had two siblings, Satyrus and Marcellina, who also became saints. After his father died, his mother moved the family to Rome. There, Ambrose studied literature, law, and rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing effectively). He then followed in his father's footsteps and began a career in public service. Around 372, he became the Roman governor of the region that included Milan.

Becoming Bishop of Milan

In 374, the bishop of Milan, Auxentius, died. There was a lot of disagreement about who should be the next bishop. Ambrose, as governor, went to the church where the election was happening to keep the peace. While he was speaking, someone in the crowd shouted, "Ambrose, bishop!" Soon, everyone joined in.

Ambrose was surprised and didn't want the job. He felt he wasn't ready because he was a relatively new Christian and hadn't even been baptized yet. He tried to hide, but the Roman Emperor Gratian supported the people's choice. So, within a week, Ambrose was baptized, made a priest, and then officially became the new Bishop of Milan. This was a big deal because it was the first time a high-ranking Roman official became a bishop in the Western Roman Empire.

As bishop, Ambrose quickly changed his lifestyle. He gave away his money to the poor and donated all his land, keeping only enough for his sister. This made him even more popular with the people, which gave him a lot of influence throughout his career. His brother, Satyrus, even quit his own important job to help Ambrose manage the church's affairs in Milan.

Standing Up for His Beliefs

Ambrose spent a lot of his time as bishop fighting against a Christian belief called Arianism. Arians believed that God the Son (Jesus) was created by God the Father and was therefore not equal to God the Father. This was different from the mainstream Christian belief that the Father and Son were equal and eternal.

Arianism was popular among many leaders and clergy in the Roman Empire. Even Emperor Valentinian II, who ruled part of the empire, followed Arianism. Ambrose worked hard to explain why Arian beliefs were wrong. He also helped organize a meeting of Western bishops in 381, where Arian leaders were removed from their positions.

Ambrose believed that Christian unity was very important, not just for the church but for the whole Roman Empire. In his time, many people were still pagans, and other religions like Judaism were also present. Ambrose played a key role in defining what orthodox Christianity meant during a time of great religious change.

Ambrose and the Emperors

Ambrose had interesting relationships with the Roman emperors of his time: Gratian, Valentinian II, and Theodosius I. He often used his position as bishop to influence their decisions, especially on religious matters.

Emperor Gratian

Many historians used to think that Ambrose had a very close friendship with Emperor Gratian and guided him in many ways. However, more recent studies suggest that Gratian was already a very religious person before he met Ambrose. Ambrose did write many books and letters for the emperor, praising him. But this kind of praise was common when writing to emperors. Gratian's religious policies were probably more about his own beliefs and the political situation than just Ambrose's influence.

One important event was in 382 when Gratian decided to stop public funding for Rome's ancient pagan religious practices. Ambrose supported this decision.

Emperor Valentinian II

Ambrose had a more difficult relationship with Emperor Valentinian II and his mother, Justina. Valentinian II and his court followed Arianism. In 385, the Arians demanded that Valentinian give them two churches in Milan. Ambrose refused, saying that "What belongs to God, is outside the emperor's power." He believed that church property belonged to God and was protected by the bishop.

When imperial soldiers tried to take the churches, Ambrose and his followers barricaded themselves inside. The soldiers, many of whom supported Ambrose, refused to force their way in. Eventually, the emperor gave up. Ambrose famously told the emperor, "The emperor is in the church, not over the church." This showed his strong belief that the church had its own authority, separate from the emperor's.

Later, when a powerful general named Magnus Maximus threatened Italy, Valentinian sent Ambrose to try and persuade him not to invade. Ambrose was successful the first time, but a second attempt failed, and Magnus Maximus took Milan. Ambrose stayed in the city and even melted down church treasures to help the poor.

Emperor Theodosius I

Emperor Theodosius I, who ruled the East, also supported mainstream Nicene Christianity. In 380, he issued a decree that only Christians who did not support Arian views could have their places of worship officially recognized as "churches." This was a big step towards making Nicene Christianity the main religion of the empire.

After a terrible event called the Massacre of Thessalonica in 390, where many people were killed by imperial soldiers, Ambrose demanded that Theodosius show public sorrow for his actions. Ambrose told the emperor that he would not give him communion (a sacred Christian ritual) until he did. Theodosius agreed and came to church without his imperial robes, showing his regret.

For a long time, people believed that Ambrose had huge power over Theodosius, even stopping him from entering a cathedral. However, modern historians now believe this story is a "pious fiction" – a made-up tale to show Ambrose's influence. They think the relationship between Ambrose and Theodosius was more about negotiations between two powerful leaders of the Roman State and the Church, rather than one person completely dominating the other.

Ambrose's Character and Beliefs

Ambrose was a deeply spiritual man who defended his faith. He was also an aristocrat and a former Roman governor, so he kept some of those attitudes. He was also an ascetic, meaning he lived a simple life and served the poor.

All of Ambrose's writings were meant to promote his religion. He wasn't just recording history; he was trying to convince people and advocate for his beliefs. He had a straightforward way of thinking and was more practical than theoretical.

Caring for the Poor

Ambrose believed strongly that justice and generosity were connected. He thought that caring for each other's interests held society together. He taught that greed could break society apart. He often preached to the wealthy people in Milan, telling them they needed to care for the poor.

Ambrose saw the poor not as outsiders, but as part of a united community. He believed that giving to the poor wasn't just an act of kindness, but a way of giving back resources that God had originally given to everyone equally. He said that justice meant providing for the poor, whom he called our "brothers and sisters" because they "share our common humanity."

Views on Mary

Ambrose's writings greatly influenced later Christian leaders, especially concerning Mary, the mother of Jesus. He emphasized Mary's virginity and her role as the Mother of God. He believed that Christ's birth from a virgin was special and worthy of God. He also saw Mary as a perfect example of purity and virginity.

Influence on Augustine

Ambrose was a famous speaker, and Augustine of Hippo came to Milan specifically to hear him preach. Augustine later wrote in his Confessions that Ambrose's sermons began to change his faith. Ambrose was very busy, but he had a close friend, Simplician, who regularly met with Augustine and introduced him to Christian philosophy. It is widely believed that Ambrose himself baptized Augustine, a very important moment in Christian history.

Music and Hymns

Ambrose was a major innovator in early Christian music, especially in writing hymns. He is sometimes called "The Father of church hymnody." While others wrote Latin hymns before him, Ambrose's hymns are the earliest complete ones we still have today. His style was simple and dignified, and it became a model for many hymns that followed.

Four hymns are definitely known to be written by Ambrose:

"Aeterne rerum conditor"
"Deus creator omnium"
"Iam surgit hora tertia"
"Veni redemptor gentium"

Each of these hymns has eight four-line verses and a clear rhythm. Although a type of church singing called "Ambrosian chant" is named after him, it's not certain that he actually created it. He is also traditionally, but incorrectly, credited with composing the famous hymn "Te Deum".