Ambrose, Bishop of Milan 340-397

                                                                       Hymn by St Ambrose 

O splendor 
of Gods 
glory bright, 
O thou that 
bringest 
light from light, 
O Light of Light, 
light’s living 
spring, O Day 
all days illumining.  

The Lutheran New Book..suggests prayers for

    preachers and hymn writers

       joyful confidence in God’s care

         the church in Milan and Northern Italy

              all leaders of the church, that they 

                  may show by their lives the love of 
                   God for the world. 

“Ambrose was the first Latin 
Church leader to be born, raised and educated not as a pagan but as a Christian.”  Upon the death of the Bishop of Milan, he was acclaimed Bishop even though he was not yet even baptized! The custom at the time was to be baptized as late as possible to give you a better chance of getting into heaven! So much for “the forgiveness of sin...”  But remember that the Council of Nicea that “came up” with the Nicene Creed only met in 325... We often think of that council as a bunch of old men arguing over stuff but our theology has real life consequences...  In any case, Ambrose was persuaded and he was hastily baptized, ordained priest and then bishop, some say all on the same day! His feast day today commemorates that rather than the date of his death, which is more the norm. He died on Easter Eve April 4, 397.