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ST AMBROSE

St Ambrose was a celebrated father of the Christian church. He was born in 333 or 334, probably at Treves and died in 397. His father was prefect at Treves. He was educated at Rome, studied law, practised as a pleader at Milan, and in 369 was appointed governor of Liguria and AEmilia (North Italy). His kindness and wisdom gained him the esteem and love of the people, and in 374 he was unanimously called to the bishopric of Milan, though not yet baptized. For a time he refused to accept the post, but he had to give way, and at once ranged himself against the Arians. In his struggles against the Arian heresy he was opposed by Justina, mother of Valentinian II, and for a time by the young emperor himself, together with the courtiers and the Gothic troops. Backed by the people of Milan, however, he felt strong enough to deny the Arians the use of a single church in the city, although Justina, in her son's name, demanded that two should be given up. He also carried on a war with paganism, Symmachus, the prefect of the city, an eloquent orator, having endeavoured to restore the freedom to worship heathen deities.

In 390, on account of the massacre at Thessalonica ordered by the emperor Theodosius, he refused him entrance into the church of Milan for eight months. The later years of his life were devoted to the more immediate care of his see. His writings, which are numerous, show that his theological knowledge extended little beyond an acquaintance with the works of the Greek fathers. He wrote Latin hymns, but the Te Deum Laudamus, which has been ascribed to him, was written a century later. He introduced the Ambrosian Chant, a mode of singing more monotonous than the Gregorian which superseded it. He also compiled a form of ritual known by his name.
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