Patristics is the study of early Christian writers, known as the Church Fathers. The name patristics derives from the Latin pater (father). The period is generally considered to run from the end of New Testament times (around 100AD) until around the 8th century.

The church fathers are generally divided into the Ante-Nicene Fathers, those who lived and wrote before the Council of Nicea (325) and the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, those who lived and wrote after 325. In addition, the division of the fathers into Greek and Latin writers is also common. Examples of the former are Justin Martyr and Cyril of Alexandria. Among the Latin Fathers are Tertullian and Augustine of Hippo.

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