Church History
16 topics
EssentialChurch HistoryGreat Schism (1054)The definitive break between the Church of Rome and the Eastern Churches. Cardinal Humbert excommunicated Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople, who reciprocated. Causes: Filioque addition, papal supremacy claims, liturgical differences, political rivalry. In reality, the schism was a gradual process spanning centuries.EssentialChurch HistoryPentecost & the Birth of the ChurchFifty days after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 2). Considered the birthday of the Church. The Apostles received power to preach the Gospel in all languages, and about 3,000 were baptized that day.ImportantChurch HistoryApostolic Age (30-100 AD)The period of the Twelve Apostles and their immediate successors. The Gospel spread from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire. Key events: Council of Jerusalem (c. 49 AD), missionary journeys of St. Paul, destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (70 AD), composition of New Testament books.ImportantChurch HistoryChristianization of Rus' (988)Prince Vladimir of Kiev was baptized and declared Christianity the religion of Kievan Rus' in 988. According to the Primary Chronicle, his envoys visited Constantinople and were overwhelmed by the beauty of worship in Hagia Sophia: 'We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth.' This brought Byzantine Christianity to the Slavic world.ImportantChurch HistoryEdict of Milan (313 AD)Issued by Emperors Constantine and Licinius, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire and ending official persecution of Christians. Marked the beginning of the Church's public freedom and rapid growth.ImportantChurch HistoryEmperor Constantine the GreatRoman Emperor (306-337 AD), the first to embrace Christianity. Convened the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea (325). Founded Constantinople (330). Venerated as a saint ('Equal to the Apostles') in the Orthodox Church. Feast day: May 21.ImportantChurch HistoryEra of Persecutions (64-313 AD)Christians faced intermittent persecution under Roman emperors from Nero (64 AD) to Diocletian's Great Persecution (303-313). Thousands of martyrs witnessed to the faith with their blood. The age produced the theology of martyrdom and the veneration of relics.ImportantChurch HistoryFall of Constantinople (1453)The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople on May 29, 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire. Sultan Mehmed II captured the city. Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque. The Ecumenical Patriarchate survived under Ottoman rule with the 'millet' system, maintaining spiritual leadership of Orthodox Christians.ImportantChurch HistoryHesychast Controversy (14th c.)The theological debate over Hesychasm (contemplative prayer) and the nature of the divine light seen by practitioners. Barlaam of Calabria attacked hesychasts as heretics. St. Gregory Palamas defended the practice, articulating the essence-energies distinction. The Councils of 1341 and 1351 vindicated Palamas.ImportantChurch HistorySoviet Persecution of the ChurchThe most devastating persecution in Christian history. The Bolsheviks killed thousands of clergy and monastics, destroyed 50,000+ churches, closed all monasteries, confiscated all church property, and tried to eradicate religion. New Martyrs of the 20th century number in the hundreds of thousands. Despite this, the Church survived underground and in the catacombs.ImportantChurch HistoryThe Byzantine Empire & OrthodoxyThe Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (330-1453) was the political and cultural cradle of Orthodox Christianity. The 'symphony' (symphonia) of Church and State meant the Emperor protected the Church while the Church sanctified the Empire. Constantinople was the 'New Rome,' the center of Christian civilization. Byzantine culture produced the liturgy, theology, art, law, and monasticism that define Orthodoxy.ImportantChurch HistoryCouncil of Florence (1438-1439)A failed attempt at reunifying Eastern and Western Christianity. Under pressure from the Ottoman threat, the Byzantine Emperor and most Eastern bishops signed a decree of union accepting papal primacy and the Filioque. Only St. Mark of Ephesus refused to sign. The union was rejected by the Orthodox faithful and most Eastern clergy upon returning home.ImportantChurch HistoryFourth Crusade & Sack of Constantinople (1204)Western Crusaders diverted to Constantinople and sacked the Christian capital for three days: looting churches, desecrating altars, melting sacred vessels, and establishing a Latin Empire (1204-1261). This devastation deepened the East-West schism irreparably. Many Orthodox consider 1204 more historically decisive than 1054. Countless relics and artworks were stolen.ImportantChurch HistoryOrthodoxy Under Ottoman RuleFor nearly 400 years (1453-1821+), Orthodox Christians lived under Ottoman rule. The Ecumenical Patriarch was recognized as 'ethnarch' (civil leader) of all Orthodox Christians. The Church preserved Greek language, education, and faith despite oppression. New Martyrs emerged: those killed for refusing conversion to Islam.Church HistoryGreek Independence & Church AutocephalyThe Greek War of Independence (1821-1829) led to the modern Greek state and, subsequently, the Church of Greece becoming autocephalous (self-governing) in 1833/1850. Clergy played a significant role in the revolution, with figures like Bishop Germanos of Old Patras raising the flag of revolt.Church HistoryHoly & Great Council (Crete, 2016)The first pan-Orthodox council in over a millennium, held in Crete in June 2016. Addressed: the Orthodox diaspora, autocephaly, autonomy, the relationship with other Christians, fasting, marriage, and the mission of the Church. Four autocephalous churches (Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Antioch) did not attend, limiting its authority.