373–397

Ambrose Becomes Bishop of Milan

After the death of the Arian-leaning bishop Auxentius in 373, an election in Milan threatened to turn into a riot. The provincial governor Ambrose came to calm it. A child's cry of "Ambrose for bishop!" was taken up by the crowd. Although still only a catechumen, he was baptized and passed through all the clerical ranks within eight days. He was consecrated bishop on December 1, 373.

Ambrose spread in the West a theology close to that of the Cappadocians. He introduced the allegorical method of interpretation and congregational hymn-singing to the Latin West. He also defended the church's independence from the imperial court. In 385–386 he refused to surrender the Milanese basilicas to the Arian-leaning empress Justina. In 390, threatening excommunication, he compelled Theodosius I to do public penance for the massacre at Thessalonica.

His preaching, including his allegorical reading of Scripture, helped prepare the way for Augustine's conversion.