ST. AMBROSE OF MILAN (DEC. 7TH)

St. Ambrose of Milan

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today is the Feast of St. Ambrose of Milan! He was elevated to the episcopacy just a few days from his baptism by popular demand, quelled Arianism by his simple teachings and profound faithfulness, held so much authority that he could stop Emperor Theodosius from entering the city by his command, and was the pastoral father of St. Augustine of Hippo, the most influential theologian in the West after St. Paul!

“Lord Jesus Christ, you are for me medicine when I am sick; you are my strength when I need help; you are life itself when I fear death; you are the way when I long for heaven; you are light when all is dark; you are my food when I need nourishment.”

St. Ambrose Blocking Emperor Theodosius from Entering Milan After He Ordered the Slaughter of 7000 Innocents  

St. Ambrose’s imprint is writ large on Western Orthodoxy, from the tradition of chant that he sponsored (Ambrosian Chant is the antiphonal style of singing that became central to the singing of Psalms), his method of catechizing new believers, to his writings that expanded upon Greek Fathers and gave them a distinctively Latin flavor. He was the originator of the oft-hear phrase - "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!" Today we remember this lion of the faith, and strive to be like him, fearless in the face of evil and apostasy, and creative and holy in the exposition of the Gospel! 

This is St. Ambrose's famous hymn, "Veni Redemptor Gentium", written for the Season of Advent...

Come, thou Redeemer of the earth,

and manifest thy virgin-birth:

let every age adoring fall;

such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,

But of the Spirit, Thou art still

The Word of God in flesh arrayed,

The promised fruit to men displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained

With virgin honor all unstained;

The banners there of virtue glow;

God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He,

That royal home of purity,

A giant in two-fold substance one,

Rejoicing now His course to run.

From God the Father He proceeds,

To God the Father back He speeds;

His course He runs to death and hell,

Returning on God's throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou!

Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;

The weakness of our mortal state

With deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright

And darkness breathe a newer light,

Where endless faith shall shine serene,

And twilight never intervene.

Collect 

ALMIGHTY GOD, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic and Orthodox Faith and a model of apostolic courage in the face of heresy, raise up in Thy Church men after Thine own heart, to serve her with courage and wisdom. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end! Amen.

St. Ambrose, pray for us!