Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and one of the original Doctors of the Church, is revered for his staunch defense of orthodoxy, influential preaching that led to Saint Augustine's conversion, and significant contributions to hymnody and ecclesiastical independence.
Saint Ambrose (c. 339-397 AD) served as the Bishop of Milan and stands as one of the most influential figures of the 4th century, recognized as one of the four original Doctors of the Church. Born into a Roman noble family, he initially pursued a career in law and governance before his unexpected acclamation as bishop by the people of Milan. As bishop, he became a formidable defender of the Nicene Creed against Arianism, a prolific writer on theology, ethics, and virginity, and a pivotal figure in the development of liturgical music, particularly Ambrosian chant. His powerful sermons were instrumental in the conversion of Saint Augustine, and he famously asserted the Church's moral authority over the state, even excommunicating Emperor Theodosius I for a massacre. Saint Ambrose's legacy endures through his theological works, his example of pastoral courage, and his profound impact on the intellectual and spiritual life of the early Church.
Saint Ambrose, a towering figure in the 4th-century Church, was born around 339 AD in Trier, Gaul, into a distinguished Roman Christian family. His father, Aurelius Ambrosius, served as the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul, a high imperial office, which provided young Ambrose with an upbringing steeped in classical education and public service. After his father's early death, Ambrose, his brother Satyrus, and his sister Marcellina moved to Rome, where he received a rigorous education in law, rhetoric, and literature, preparing him for a career in imperial administration. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional administrative and oratorical skills, eventually becoming the governor of Aemilia and Liguria, with his seat in Milan, a city that was then a significant imperial capital.
The year was 390 A.D., and a dark cloud of horror had fallen over the city of Thessalonica. In a fit of vengeful rage, Emperor Theodosius I, the powerful ruler of the Roman Empire, had ordered a brutal massacre of its citizens in retaliation for an earlier uprising. Thousands of innocent lives were extinguished, a stain upon the very fabric of imperial justice. News of this horrific act reached the ears of Bishop Ambrose in Milan, and his heart was pierced with sorrow and righteous indignation.
Ambrose, a man of profound faith and unyielding principle, knew that such an atrocity could not go unaddressed, not even by the most powerful man on earth. He withdrew into prayer and contemplation, emerging with a clear, unwavering conviction. He penned a letter to the Emperor, not as a subject to a sovereign, but as a shepherd to a wayward sheep. In it, he condemned the emperor's actions in the strongest terms, declaring that, until Theodosius performed public penance for his grievous sin, he could not, in good conscience, admit him to the sacraments of the Church. The Body of Christ could not be received by hands still dripping with innocent blood.
Months passed. Theodosius, accustomed to absolute power, initially resisted the bishop's spiritual authority. But as Christmas approached, the emperor, perhaps feeling the weight of his conscience or the pressure of public opinion, decided to attend Mass in the great cathedral of Milan. Dressed in his imperial robes, surrounded by his retinue, he strode confidently towards the church doors, expecting to enter as was his custom.
But there, standing resolute at the threshold, was Bishop Ambrose. His face was stern, his gaze unwavering, a spiritual bulwark against temporal might. As the emperor approached, Ambrose raised a hand, blocking his path. “You dare to enter this sacred place, Theodosius?” he boomed, his voice echoing with divine authority. “You, whose hands are still stained with the blood of the innocent! Do you not tremble at the thought of approaching the altar of God with such guilt upon your soul? The Church is not your palace, Emperor; it is the house of God, and you are but one of its sons, subject to its laws, not above them.”
Theodosius, stunned by this public rebuke from a man who held no worldly power over him, hesitated. His guards looked on, uncertain. For a moment, the fate of the Church's independence hung in the balance. But Ambrose stood firm, his spiritual courage eclipsing the emperor's earthly might. Finally, humbled and contrite, Theodosius turned away from the cathedral doors. For eight long months, he performed public penance, laying aside his imperial insignia, prostrating himself in sackcloth and ashes, and publicly confessing his sin. Only then, when true repentance was evident, did Saint Ambrose readmit the Emperor to the communion of the faithful. This dramatic encounter forever cemented Ambrose's legacy as a fearless defender of the Church's moral authority and a beacon of Christian conscience, demonstrating that even the mightiest rulers are accountable to God.
Observance of the distinct Ambrosian Rite, which includes variations in the liturgical calendar and practices compared to the Roman Rite, most notably a later start to the Lenten season (Ambrosian Carnival).
Saint Ambrose is credited with establishing and shaping the liturgical customs of the Church of Milan, which developed into the Ambrosian Rite.
The public holiday and the opening of the 'Oh Bej! Oh Bej!' Christmas market (Fiera di Sant'Ambrogio) in Milan, marking the start of the Christmas season.
December 7th is the feast day of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan, and it marks a significant annual civic and cultural event in the city.
The blessing of honey or candles, and prayers offered by beekeepers, often taking place in churches or at home.
Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeepers and candlemakers, stemming from a legend that a swarm of bees settled on his mouth as an infant, symbolizing his future eloquence, and because bees produce wax for candles.
A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees. It is often blessed or consumed on his feast day.
Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeepers and candlemakers. This patronage stems from a legend that a swarm of bees settled on his mouth as an infant, symbolizing his future eloquence, and also because bees produce honey.
A traditional Milanese sweet bread loaf, usually prepared and eaten for Christmas and New Year. Its consumption season in Milan traditionally begins with the 'Oh Bej! Oh Bej!' Christmas market, which opens on Saint Ambrose's feast day.
While primarily a Christmas food, Panettone is associated with Saint Ambrose's feast day in Milan because December 7th marks the opening of the 'Oh Bej! Oh Bej!' Christmas market, which signifies the start of the Christmas season and the widespread availability and consumption of this traditional holiday bread.