What early Church Fathers writings have helped you the most when it comes to apologetics?

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I love this question; but Ignatius of Antioch. Especially this one.(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
The Apostolic Fathers are amazing.
Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Irenaeus are wonderful as well.
 
Ignatius of Antioch’s first use of the term “Catholic Church” from 107 AD, in his letter to the Smyrneans, and Justin Martyr’s First Apology from 155 AD on the Eucharist. Justin Martyr also put to bed the myth of Mithra being an earlier prototype of Jesus. That was from either his first or second apology.
 
St. John Chrysostom’s commentary on Matthew’s gospel and treatise on the priesthood are my most quoted texts. Great proofs for Peter’s primacy and the existence of successors to his particular office.
 
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Well, he said “Catholic Church” and what church today still bears that name? There was only one church, and it was the Catholic Church.
 
The earlier, the better. Ignatius of Antioch 35Ad-100Ad
 
All the Fathers have value depending on the subject, but St Augustine’s writings are the most valuable because Protestants ‘love’ him and consider him one of the few early Christians…they just have no idea that Augustine taught many Catholic “heresies” that would horrify them. Even in just his “Confessions,” which Protestants consider a ‘safe’ historical spiritual Christian classic work of art, Augustine affirms Baptismal Regeneration, Intercession of the Saints, Relics, Sacrifice of the Mass, Basilicas, etc.

Consider:
-The liturgical usage of BLESSED SALT (and the sign of the Cross):
“As a catechumen, I was blessed regularly from birth with the sign of the Cross and was seasoned with God’s salt, for, O Lord, my mother placed great hope in you.” (Confessions 1.11.13)
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-St Augustine on the RELICS OF DEAD SAINTS:
"Thou by a vision made known to Your renowned bishop [St. Ambrose] the spot where lay the bodies of Gervasius and Protasius, the martyrs whom You had in Your secret storehouse preserved uncorrupted for so many years. For when they were dug up and with due honour transferred to the Ambrosian Basilica, not only they who were troubled with unclean spirits were healed, but a certain man also, who had been blind many years begged to be permitted to touch with his handkerchief the bier of Your saints. When he had done this, and put it to his eyes, they were immediately opened. (Confessions 11.7)
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-St Augustine on offering the SACRIFICE OF THE MASS FOR THE DEAD IN PURGATORY:
“So, when the body was carried forth, we both went and returned without tears. For neither in those prayers which we poured forth unto You when the sacrifice of our redemption was offered up unto You for her” (Confessions 11:12,13)
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–On BAPTISM FORGIVING SINS:
And Your purposes were profoundly impressed upon me; and, rejoicing in faith, I praised Your name. And that faith suffered me not to be at rest in >>regard to my past sins, which were not yet forgiven me by Your baptism.<< (Confessions 9:4)
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–On FAITH ALONE NOT ENOUGH:
Although [Nebridius], not being yet a Christian, had fallen into the pit of that most pernicious error of believing Your Son to be a phantasm, yet, coming out thence, >>he held the same belief that we did; not as yet initiated in any of the sacraments of Your Church<<, but a most earnest inquirer after truth. Whom, not long after our conversion and >>regeneration by Your baptism, he being also a faithful member of the Catholic Church<<. (Confessions 9:3)
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–On the EUCHARIST:
whether in the celebration of those sacraments by which are initiated those whom Your mercy searches out in many waters [Baptism]; or in that in which >>the Fish Itself is exhibited<<, which, being raised from the deep, >>the devout earth feeds upon<<… (Confessions 13:23)
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–Augustine tells us how to thank him for the Confessions:
And inspire, O my Lord my God, inspire thy servants, my brothers, that as many of them as shall read these Confessions may also >>at Thy Altar remember Monica<<, thy handmaid (Conf 9:13)
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Still is only one church, and it still is the Catholic Church.

Unam, Sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam
 
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I write and have published on Biblical theology especially and constantly turn to the Fathers of the Church. I have found Saint Augustine most helpful.
I have found that as a whole the Fathers of the Church have superior insight into the meaning of Scripture when comparing them to modern commentators on the Bible, and regularly read what the Fathers have written with great appreciation.
Granted it may take labor to find what they say on specific passages in Scripture and that modern Biblical scholarship is superior when, for example, it comes to the culture of ancient Israel or for its insights from archaeology. But my work concerns a close reading of passages to find their meaning, where the Fathers stand out.
 
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