The '''Ante-Nicene Fathers''' are those early Church fathers (and their associated writings) from the beginning of [[Christianity]] to the time of the creation of the [[Nicene Creed]] (the prefix "ante" means "before"). People in this category include [[Polycarp of Smyrna|Polycarp]], [[Tertullian]], [[Africanus (Christian historian)|Julius Africanus]], [[Ignatius of Antioch|Ignatius]], [[Origen]], and [[Clement of Rome|Clement]].
The writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers are the subject of controversy within Christianity. For instance, historical evidence indicates that the Asia Minor churches in the second century, leading even into the Constantinian Era, were keeping the Old Testament Jewish feast days,<ref>Attridge, Harold W.; Hata, Gōhei (1992). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Eusebius_Christianity_and_Judaism/58uUEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=john+%22chrysostom%22+%22quartodecimans%22&pg=PA317&printsec=frontcover Eusebius, Christianity and Judaism], p. 317. Google Books. Retrieved July 27, 2024.</ref> the observing of which would spark major controversy in modern mainstream Christianity.
Supporters contend that the positions held by the Fathers represent Christian doctrine of the first centuries after the New Testament, and are thus presupposed by certain [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] to be uncorrupted by later distortions and departures introduced by heretics and apostates. When there was conflict about the truly catholic and orthodox interpretation of the Scriptures, theologians sought backing for their position in the writings of "the Fathers". By this they meant teachers of an earlier era who demonstrated how the apostolic scriptures were understood and applied by the apostles and their immediate successors.