Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Appendix 53 What You Should Know about Christian History AD 247-420 From Timothy Paul Jones, Christian History Made Easy , Torrance: Rose Publishing, 2005. p. 26. Five Events You Should Know 1. Era of Martyrs (AD 303-305): Emperor Docletian issued a series of edicts that led to the harshest Roman persecution of the church. 2. Edict of Milan (AD 314): Emperors Constantine and Licinius affirmed Galerius’ decision to legalize Christianity. 3. Arian Controversy (AD 320-364): This Heresy remained popular until the late 300’s. In AD 350, Arians outnumbered Christians in the Eastern Empire. 4. The Council of Nicaea (AD 325): Emperor Constantine invited every overseer in the Roman Empire to deal with the Arian heresy. The Creed of Nicaea confessed the church’s belief in the Trinity. The Council of Nicaea was later recognized as the first general council of the church. 5. Athanasius’ Easter Letter (AD 367): Athanasius’ list of authoritative writings included the same books that appear in the New Testament today. In AD 397, the Synod of Carthage confirmed Athanasius’ list. Eight Names You Should Know 1. Cyprian (died AD 258): Overseer of Carthage, North Africa. Allowed Christians who faltered during persecution to return to 2. Helena (AD 255-330): Devout Christian and mother of Emperor Constantine. In 326 she visited the Holy Land and had churches built in Bethlehem and on the Mount of Olives. 3. Eusebius of Caesarea (AD 263-339): Wrote the first history of Christianity. 4. Pachomius (AD 292-346): Founder of cenobitic (communal) monasticism in the Western Empire. His sister Mary founded religious communities for women. 5. Basil of Caesarea (AD 329-379): One of the Great Cappadocians, opposed Arianism. 6. Gregory Nazianzus (AD 329-389): One of the Great Cappadocians, opposed Arianism. their churches. Learn more about Cyprian at http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/cyprian.html