Why are they important?
Criteria for calling someone a "father” or “mother”
of the Church:
n 1. orthodoxy of doctrine
n 2. holiness of life
n 3. ecclesial approval or “reception”
n 4. antiquity
§ The last point needs a qualification: The criteria neglects
those figures who came after the 8th century (Palamas,
Cabasilas, etc.).