Doctors of the Church facts for kids

A Doctor of the Church is a special title given in some Christian churches. It comes from the Latin word docere, which means "to teach." This honor is for people who were very important teachers. They helped others understand theology (religious teachings) and doctrine (beliefs).

In the Catholic Church, this title is given to a saint. These saints wrote important books and shared great wisdom. It's a very rare honor, given only after someone has been declared a saint (this process is called canonization).

Great Teachers of the Church

Some of the most famous Doctors of the Church are known as the "Four Great Doctors."

Western Church Doctors

In the Western Church, these four important teachers are:

• Saint Ambrose (who lived from 330 to 397 AD)
• Saint Augustine of Hippo (who lived from 354 to 430 AD)
• Saint Jerome
• Pope Gregory I (also known as Gregory the Great)

Eastern Church Doctors

In the Eastern Church, the four main Doctors are:

• John Chrysostom
• Saint Basil of Caesarea (also called Basil the Great)
• Gregory of Nazianzus
• Athanasius of Alexandria

Other Notable Doctors

Many other people have also received this special title for their wisdom and writings. Some of them include:

• Thomas Aquinas
• Anselm of Canterbury
• Teresa of Ávila
• Thérèse of Lisieux
• Hildegard von Bingen

Images for kids

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  Isidore of Seville, a Doctor of the Church from the 7th century, painted by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. He is shown with a book, which often represents a doctor or scholar.

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  The Four Great Doctors of the Western Church were often painted in art. This painting is by Pier Francesco Sacchi from about 1516. From left to right: Saint Augustine, Pope Gregory I, Saint Jerome, and Saint Ambrose.

See also

In Spanish: Doctor de la Iglesia para niños