Ancient, christian theologians such as Augustine (354 - 430 AD) or Origines (ca. 185 - 254 AD) shaped the culture of subsequent epochs with their rich oeuvre and often influence it until today. There are many reasons to deal with the effects of classical works. Elementary requirements for this proposition are good text editions. The research unit would like to work in close Cooperation with similar research projects to make the imperial and late antique Christian culture accessible for the present. For this purpose the project edits historico-critical editions of the greek christian writers, mainly from the first three centuries, as well as the church historians until 600 AD. Texts and studies on the history of early Christian literature, studies on texts edited in the GCS as well as editions of related texts in other languages are also part of the project.
At present, the work is mainly focused on two ancient authors. The research unit and an associated, third-party funded Origines Research Centre edit works by the polymath Origines. The editorial intrest focuses on his comprehensive writings on the explanation of the Old Testament.