Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

Life

This great holy father of the Orthodox Church was of distinguished lineage; his father was the imperial governor of Gaul and Spain, but in faith an unbeliever, and his mother a Christian. While he was still in the cradle, once a swarm of bees descended upon him, poured honey into his mouth and flew away. And even as a child he would stretch out his hand and say prophetically: Kiss it, for I too shall be a bishop. After the death of his father, the emperor appointed him as his governor of the Ligurian region, in which Milan was the chief city. When the bishop of that city died, there was great dispute between the Orthodox and the Arian heretics concerning the election of a new bishop. Ambrose by duty entered the church to maintain order. At that moment a certain child at its mother's breast cried out: Ambrose—bishop! This the whole people received as the voice of God and, contrary to Ambrose's will, they unanimously chose him as bishop. Ambrose was baptized and within a week passed through all the preceding orders and was ordained bishop. As bishop, Ambrose strengthened the Orthodox Faith, suppressed the heretics, adorned the churches, spread the Faith among unbelievers, wrote many instructive books, and served as an example of a true Christian and Christian pastor. He also composed the well-known thanksgiving hymn: We Praise Thee, O God. This glorious hierarch, whose wisdom and eloquence drew people from distant lands to visit him, was very temperate, industrious and vigilant. He slept little, worked and prayed to God unceasingly, fasted every day except Saturday and Sunday. Therefore God granted him both to see many of God's wonders and to work them himself. He uncovered the relics of the holy martyrs Protasius, Gervasius, Nazarius and Celsus (see October 14). Meek toward humble people, he was fearless before the great. He denounced Empress Justina as a heretic, cursed Maximus the tyrant and murderer, forbade Emperor Theodosius access to the temple until he repented of his sin, and refused to meet with Eugenius the usurper and self-proclaimed emperor. To this God-pleasing man God granted such grace that he even raised the dead, cast demons out of people, healed the sick from every disease, and saw into the future. He reposed peacefully at the dawn of Pascha in the year 397.

From the Hymn of Praise

Ambrose, late converted,Ambrose, quickly consecrated,Pillar of truth, light of piety,Christ's warrior, persecutor of impiety,