What Defines an Early Church Father?
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I do not think there is a clear-cut answer to this question, primarily because the list of Fathers adhered to by the Church (particularly Roman Catholic and Orthodox) would not be exactly the same as that adopted by the secular academy. From the ecclesiastical standpoint, no one should be accepted as a Father who taught what came to be regarded as heresy, though this is not consistent (as for example "Saint" Justin Martyr accepted a subordinationist Christology). Thus, men like Tertullian (a schismatic) and Origen would be excluded. Usually a Father would also be regarded as a saint. (I know of no exceptions.)
But the Academy is more inclusive. Those whose teachings tended toward orthodoxy, in spite of some heresies, are regarded as Fathers (including Tertullian and Origen). The Fathers are generally divided chronologically into two classes - those who lived prior to the Council of Nicea (the pre-Nicenes) and those who lived later (the post-Nicenes). The last of the Fathers is considered to be John of Damascus (8th century).
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Source: stackoverflow.com
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