St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 23 (Mystagogic 5), 10
(c. 350 AD)
“Then we make mention also of those who have already fallen asleep: first,
the patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers
and supplications God would receive our petition; next, we make mention
also of the holy fathers and bishops who have already fallen asleep, and, to
put it simply, of all among us who have already fallen asleep; for we
believe that it will be of very great benefit to the souls of those for whom
the petition is carried up, while this holy and most solemn Sacrifice is laid
out.”
St. Epiphanius of Salamis, Against All Heresies 75, 8 (377 AD)
“Furthermore, as to mentioning the names of the dead, how is there
anything very useful in that? What is more timely or more excellent than
that those who are still here should believe that the departed do live, and
that they have not retreated into nothingness, but that they exist and are
alive with the Master? And so that this most august proclamation might be
told in full, how do they have hope, who are praying for the brethren as if
they were but sojourning in a foreign land? Useful too is the prayer
fashioned on their behalf, even if it does not force back the whole of guilty
charges laid to them.”
St. Augustine of Hippo, Against Faustus the Manichean 20, 21 (c.
400 AD)
“A Christian people celebrates together in religious solemnity the
memorials of the martyrs, both to encourage their being imitated and so
that it can share in their merits and be aided by their prayers. But it is done
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