Timeline of Christianity
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The purpose of this chronology is to give a detailed account of Christianity from the beginning of the current era to the present. Question marks on dates indicate approximate dates. For "Old Testament" chronology, see History of ancient Israel and Judah.
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[edit] Era of Jesus
The year one is the first year in the Christian calendar (there is no year zero), which is the calendar presently used (in unison with the Gregorian calendar) almost everywhere in the world, because of the current dominance of the Western world. Traditionally, this was held to be the year Jesus was born, however most modern scholars argue for an earlier date and later dates, the most agreed upon being between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C.
- 6 Herod Archelaus deposed by Augustus; Samaria, Judea and Idumea annexed as Iudaea Province under direct Roman administration, capital at Caesarea, Quirinius became Legate (Governor) of Syria, conducted Census of Quirinius, opposed by Zealots (JA18, Luke 2:1-3, Acts 5:37)
- 7-26 Brief period of peace, relatively free of revolt and bloodshed in Iudaea & Galilee (John P. Meier's A Marginal Jew, v. 1, ch. 11)
- 9 Pharisee leader Hillel the Elder dies, temporary rise of Shammai
- 14-37 Tiberius, Roman Emperor
- 18-36 Caiaphas, appointed High Priest of Herod's Temple by Prefect Valerius Gratus, deposed by Syrian Legate Lucius Vitellius
- 19 Jews, Jewish Proselytes, Astrologers, expelled from Rome (Suetonius, Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Tiberius 36,Loeb Classics)
- 26-36 Pontius Pilate, Prefect (governor) of Iudaea, recalled to Rome by Syrian Legate Vitellius on complaints of excess violence (JA18.4.2)
- 28 or 29 John the Baptist began his ministry in the "15th year of Tiberius" (Luke 3:1-2), saying: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matt 3:1-2), a relative of Jesus (Luke 1:36), a Nazirite (Luke 1:15), baptized Jesus (Mark 1:4-11), later arrested and beheaded by Herod Antipas (Luke 3:19-20), it's possible that, according to Josephus' chronology, John was not killed until 36 (JA18.5.2)<ref>G. J. Goldberg. John the Baptist and Josephus. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.</ref>
Jesus began his ministry after his baptism by John and during the rule of Pilate, preaching: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matt 4:12-17). While the historicity of the gospel accounts is questioned to some extent by most critical scholars and non-Christians, the traditional view states the following chronology for his ministry: Temptation, Sermon on the Mount, Appointment of the Twelve, Miracles, Temple Money Changers, Last Supper, Arrest, Trial, Passion, Crucifixion on Good Friday (Mark 15:42,John 19:42), Nisan 14th (John 19:14,Mark 14:2,Gospel of Peter) or Nisan 15th (Synoptic Gospels), (7Apr30, 3Apr33, 30Mar36, possible Fri-14-Nisan dates, -Meier), entombment by Pharisees Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin, Resurrection by God on Easter Sunday, appearances to Paul of Tarsus (1Cor 15:3-9), Simon Peter (Luke 24:34), Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9,John 20:10-18), and others, Great Commission, Ascension, Second Coming Prophecy to fulfill the rest of Messianic prophecy such as the Resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, and establishment of the Kingdom of God. See also Chronology of Jesus.
[edit] Era of the Apostles
- See also: Acts of the Apostles
Shortly after the Death of Jesus (Nisan 14 or 15), the Jerusalem church was founded as the first Christian church with about 120 Jews and Jewish Proselytes (Acts 1:15), followed by Pentecost (Sivan 6), the Ananias and Sapphira incident, Pharisee Gamaliel's defense of the Apostles (5:34-39), the stoning of Saint Stephen (see also Persecution of Christians) and the subsequent dispersal of the church (7:54-8:8) which led to the baptism of Simon Magus in Samaria (8:9-24), and also an Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40). Paul's "Road to Damascus" conversion to "Apostle to the Gentiles" is first recorded in (9:13-16, cf. Gal 1:11-24). Peter baptized the Roman Centurion Cornelius, who is traditionally considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity (10). The Antioch church was founded, it was there that the term Christian was first used (11:26). Saint James the Great was executed by Herod Agrippa I (ruled 39-44) during a Passover (Nisan 15) (12:1-3).
- 44 Death of Herod Agrippa I (JA19.8.2, Acts 12:20-23)
- 44-46? Theudas beheaded by Procurator Cuspius Fadus for saying he would part the Jordan river (like Moses and the Red Sea) (JA20.5.1, Acts 5:36-37 places it before the Census of Quirinius)
- 45-49? Paul's 1st mission, (Acts 13:1-14:28), with Barnabas, to Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (there they were called "gods ... in human form"), then return to Syrian Antioch
- 47? The Church of the East is created by Saint Thomas
- 48-100 Herod Agrippa II appointed King of the Jews by Claudius, seventh and last of the Herodians
- 49 "Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus,<ref> A. J. MAAS (2003). Origin of the Name of Jesus Christ. Retrieved January 23, 2006. Walter Bauer's et al. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 1979, under Christos notes: "as a personal name; the Gentiles must have understood Christos in this way (to them it seemed very much like Chrestos [even in pronunciation ...], a name that is found in lit."</ref> he <Claudius> expelled them from Rome." (Suetonius,Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Claudius XXV.4,Loeb Classics) (referenced in Acts 18:2)
- 50 Passover riot in Jerusalem, 20-30,000 killed (JA20.5.3,JW2.12.1)
- 50? Council of Jerusalem and the "Apostolic Decree", Acts 15:1-35, same as Galatians 2:1-10?, which is followed by the "Incident at Antioch"<ref>Catholic Encyclopedia: Judaizers see section titled: "THE INCIDENT AT ANTIOCH"</ref> at which Paul publicly accused Peter of "Judaizing" (2:11-21)
- 50-53? Paul's 2nd mission, (Acts 15:36-18:22), split with Barnabas, to Phrygia, Galatia, Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, "he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken", then return to Antioch; 1 Thessalonians, Galatians written?
- 52? Saint Thomas Christians of India
- 53-57? Paul's 3rd mission, (Acts 18:23-22:30), to Galatia, Phrygia, Corinth, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, and Jerusalem where James the Just challenged him about rumor of teaching antinomianism (21:21), he addressed a crowd in their language (most likely Aramaic), Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians written?
- 55? "Egyptian Prophet" (allusion to Moses) and 30,000 unarmed Jews doing The Exodus reenactment massacred by Procurator Antonius Felix (JW2.13.5, JA20.8.6, Acts 21:38)
- 58? Paul arrested, accused of being a revolutionary, "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes", teaching resurrection of the dead, imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 23-26)
- 59? Paul shipwrecked on Malta, there he was called a god (Acts 28:6)
- 60? Paul in Rome: greeted by many "brothers" (NRSV: "believers"), three days later called together the Jewish leaders, who hadn't received any word from Judea about him, but were curious about "this sect", which everywhere is spoken against; he tried to convince them from the "Law and Prophets", with partial success, said the Gentiles would listen and spent two years proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching the "Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:15-31); Epistle to Philemon written?
- 62 James the Just stoned to death for law transgression by High Priest Ananus ben Artanus, popular opinion against act results in Ananus being deposed by new procurator Clodius Albinus (JA20.9.1)
- 63-107? Simeon, 2nd Bishop of Jerusalem, crucified under Trajan
- 63? Glastonbury Abbey founded according to tradition, but date disputed
- 64-68 after July 18 Great Fire of Rome, Nero blamed and persecuted the Christians, earliest mention of Christians, by that name, in Rome, see also Tacitus on Jesus, Paul beheaded? (Col1:24, Eph3:13, 2Tm4:6-8, 1Clem5:5-7), Peter crucified upside down? (Jn21:18,1Pt5:13,Origen), "...a vast multitude, were convicted, not so much of the crime of incendiarism as of hatred of the human race. And in their deaths they were made the subjects of sport; for they were wrapped in the hides of wild beasts and torn to pieces by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when day declined, were burned to serve for nocturnal lights." (Annals (Tacitus) XV.44)
[edit] Early Christianity
- See also: Early Christianity
- 65? Q document, a hypothetical Greek text thought by many critical scholars to have been used in writing of Matthew and Luke
- 66-73 Great Jewish Revolt: destruction of Herod's Temple, Qumran community destroyed, site of Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947
- 68-107? Ignatius, third Bishop of Antioch, fed to the lions in the Roman Colosseum, advocated the Bishop (Eph 6:1, Mag 2:1,6:1,7:1,13:2, Tr 3:1, Smy 8:1,9:1), rejected Sabbath? (Mag 9.1), rejected Judaizing (Mag 10.3), first use of term Christianity (Mag 10), his letters were subjected to heavy Christian forgery especially 4th century (Apostolic Fathers)
- 70(+/-10)? Gospel of Mark, written in Rome?, by Peter's interpreter? (1 Peter 5:13), original ending apparently lost, endings added c.400, see Mark 16
- 70? Signs Gospel written, hypothetical Greek text used in Gospel of John to prove Jesus is the Messiah
- 70-100? additional Pauline Epistles
- 70-200? Didache; Other Gospels: Unknown Berlin Gospel, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Oxyrhynchus Gospels, Egerton Gospel, Fayyum Fragment, Dialogue of the Saviour; Jewish Christian Gospels: Gospel of the Ebionites, Gospel of the Hebrews, Gospel of the Nazarenes
- 80(+/-20)? Gospel of Matthew, based on Mark and Q, most popular in Early Christianity
- 80(+/-20)? Gospel of Luke, based on Mark and Q, also Acts of the Apostles by same author
- 88-101? Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, wrote Letter of the Romans to the Corinthians (Apostolic Fathers)
- 90? Council of Jamnia of Judaism (disputed)
- 90(+/-10)? 1 Peter
- 94 Testimonium Flavianum, disputed section of Jewish Antiquities by Josephus in Aramaic, translated to Koine Greek
- 95(+/-30)? Gospel of John and Epistles of John
- 95(+/-10)? Book of Revelation written, by John (son of Zebedee) and/or a disciple of his
- 100(+/-30)? Epistle of Barnabas (Apostolic Fathers)
- 100(+/-25)? Epistle of James
- 100(+/-10)? Epistle of Jude written, probably by doubting relative of Jesus (Mark 6,3), rejected by some early Christians due to its reference to apocryphal Book of Enoch (v14), Epistle to the Hebrews written
- 100-150? Apocryphon of James, Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Gospel of James, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, Secret Gospel of Mark (Complete Gospels, published by Jesus Seminar)
- 110-130? Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, wrote: "Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord", lost, widely quoted (Apostolic Fathers)
- 110-160? Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, Letter to the Philippians, (Apostolic Fathers)
- 125(+/-5)? 2 Peter written, not accepted into canon until early 400s, drew upon Epistle of Jude, "catholic" epistle, Pastoral Epistles written
- 125? Rylands Library Papyrus P52, oldest extant NT fragment, p.1935, parts of Jn18:31-33,37-38
- 130-250? "Christian Apologists" writings against Roman religion: Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Apology of Aristides, Theophilus of Antioch, Tatian, Quadratus, Melito of Sardis, Apollinaris Claudius, Felix Marcus Minucius, Arnobius, Epistle to Diognetus
- 132-135 Bar Kokhba's revolt: final Jewish revolt, Judea and Jerusalem erased from maps, region renamed Syria Palæstina (the term Palestine was originally coined by Herodotus), Jerusalem renamed Aelia Capitolina
- 142-144? Marcion of Sinope, bishop according to Catholic Encyclopedia, went to Rome, possibly to buy the bishopric of Rome, upon rejection formed his own church in Rome, later called Marcionism, rejected Old Testament, decreed canon of one Gospel, one Apostolicon (10 Letters of Paul) and one Antithesis[1] which contrasted the Old Testament with the New Testament, cited Western text-type, see also Expounding of the Law#Antithesis of the Law
- 150? "Western Revisor" adds/subtracts from original Acts to produce Western version which is 10% larger and found in Papyrus P29,38,48 and Codex Bezae (D)
- 150? Valentinius, most famous Christian Gnostic, according to Tertullian narrowly lost election for Bishop of Rome
- 150(+/-10)? Shepherd of Hermas, written in Rome (Apostolic Fathers)
- 155? Montanus, claimed to be the Paraclete ("Counselor") of John 14:16
- 160? Martyrdom of Polycarp (Apostolic Fathers)
- 170? Dionysius[2], bishop of Corinth, claimed Christians were changing and faking his own letters just as [he knew] they had changed the Gospels (Eusebius' EH 4 c.23 v.12;Ante-Nicene Fathers,v.8)
- 170? Tatian produces "Diatessaron" (Harmony) by blending 4 "Western" text-type Gospels into 1
- 170? Symmachus the Ebionite, new Greek translation of Hebrew Bible
- 180? Hegesippus
- 180-202? Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon, combated heresies, cited "Western" Gospel text-type (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 185-350? Muratorian fragment, 1st extant canon for New Testament after Marcion?, written in Rome by Hippolytus?, excludes Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 3 John; includes Wisdom of Solomon, Apocalypse of Peter
- 186? Saint Apollonius, used the term catholic in reference to 1 John
- 188-231 Saint Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, condemned Origen
- 189-198 Pope Victor I, 1st Latin Pope, excommunicated Eastern churches that continued to observe Easter on Nisan 14 Quartodeciman
- 196? Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 199-217? Caius [3] [4], presbyter of Rome, wrote "Dialogue against Proclus" in Ante-Nicene Fathers, rejected Revelation, said to be by Gnostic Cerinthus
- 200? Papyrus 46: 2nd Chester Beatty, Alexandrian text-type; Papyrus 66: 2nd Bodmer, John, 1956, "Alexandrian/Western" text-types; Papyrus 75: Bodmer 14-15, Luke & John, earliest extant Luke, ~Vaticanus; 200? Papyrus 32: J. Rylands Library: Titus 1:11-15;2:3-8; Papyrus 64 (+67): Mt3:9,15; 5:20-22,25-28; 26:7-8,10,14-15,22-23,31-33
- 200? Sextus Julius Africanus
- 200? Antipope Natalius[5], rival bishop of Rome, according to Eusebius's EH5.28.8-12, quoting the Little Labyrinth of Hippolytus, after being "scourged all night by the holy angels", covered in ash, dressed in sackcloth, and "after some difficulty", tearfully submitted to Pope Zephyrinus
- 217-236 Antipope Hippolytus, Logos sect?
- 218-258 Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, cited "Western" NT text-type, claimed Christians were freely forging his letters to discredit him (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 220? Clement of Alexandria, cited "Alexandrian" NT text-type & Secret Gospel of Mark & Gospel of the Egyptians; wrote: "Exhortations to the Greeks"; "Rich Man's Salutation"; "To the Newly Baptized"; (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 220?-340? Codex Tchacos, manuscript containing a copy of the Gospel of Judas has been written.
- 223? Tertullian, sometimes called "father of the Latin Church" because he coined trinitas, tres Personae, una Substantia, Vetus Testamentum, Novum Testamentum, convert to Montanism, cited "Western" Gospel text-type (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 225? Papyrus 45: 1st Chester Beatty, Gospels (Caesarean text-type), Acts (Alexandrian text-type)
- 235-238 Maximinus Thrax, emperor of Rome, ends Christian schism in Rome by deporting Pope Pontian and Antipope Hippolytus to Sardinia where they soon die
- 248-264 Dionysius, Patriarch of Alexandria see also List of Patriarchs of Alexandria
- 250? Apostolic Constitutions, Liturgy of St James, Old Roman Symbol, Clementine literature
- 250? Letters of Methodius, Pistis Sophia, Porphyry Tyrius, Commodianus (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 250? Papyrus 72: Bodmer 5-11+, pub. 1959, "Alexandrian" text-type: Nativity of Mary; 3Cor; Odes of Solomon 11; Jude 1-25; Melito's Homily on Passover; Hymn fragment; Apology of Phileas; Ps33,34; 1Pt1:1-5:14; 2Pt1:1-3:18
- 250? Origen, Jesus and God one substance, adopted at First Council of Nicaea in 325, compiled Hexapla; cites Alexandrian, Caesarean text-type; Eusebius claimed Origen castrated himself for Christ due to Mt19:12 (EH6.8.1-3)
- 251-424? Synods of Carthage
- 251-258 Antipope Novatian, decreed no forgiveness for sins after baptism
- 254-257 Pope Stephen I; major schism over rebaptizing heretics and apostates
- 258 "Valerian's Massacre", Roman emperor executes all Christian Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons
- 264-269 Synods of Antioch, condemned Paul of Samosata, Bishop of Antioch, founder of Adoptionism (Jesus was human until Holy Spirit descended at his baptism), also condemned term homoousios adopted at Nicaea
- 265 Gregory Thaumaturgus (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 270? Anthony begins monastic movement
- 275? Papyrus 47: 3rd Chester Beatty, ~Sinaiticus, Rev9:10-11:3,5-16:15,17-17:2
- 276 Mani (prophet), crucified, founder of the dualistic Manichaean sect in Persia
- 282-300? Theonas, bishop of Alexandria (Ante-Nicene Fathers)
- 290-345? St Pachomius, founder of Christian monasticism
- 296-304 Pope Marcellinus, offered pagan sacrifices for Diocletian
- 301 Armenia, first to adopt Christianity as state religion
- 303-312 Diocletian's Massacre of Christians
- 303 Saint George, patron saint of England, and other states
- 304? Victorinus, bishop of Pettau
- 306 Synod of Elvira, prohibited relations between Christians and Jews
- 310 Maxentius deports Pope Eusebius and Heraclius [6] [7] to Sicily (relapse controversy)
- 312 Lucian of Antioch, founded School of Antioch, martyred
- 312 Vision of Constantine: while gazing into the sun he saw a cross with the words by this sign conquer, see also Labarum, he was later called the 13th Apostle and Equal-to-apostles
- 313 Edict of Milan, Constantine and Licinius end persecution, establish toleration of Christianity
- 313? Lateran Palace given to Pope Miltiades for residence by Constantine
- 314 Council of Arles [8], called by Constantine against Donatist schism
- 314-340? Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, church historian, cited Caesarean text-type, wrote Ecclesiastical History in 325
- 317? Lactantius
- 321 Constantine decreed Sunday as state "day of rest" (CJ3.12.2), see also Sol Invictus
[edit] Nicene Christianity
- See also: Ecumenical councils
Constantine called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 to unify Christology, also called the first great Christian council by Jerome, the first ecumenical, decreed the Original Nicene Creed, but rejected by Nontrinitarianism such as Arius, Theonas, Secundus, Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Theognis who were excommunicated, also addressed Easter controversy and passed 20 Canon laws.
- 325 The Kingdom of Aksum (Modern Ethiopia) declares Christianity as the official state Religion becoming the second country to do so
- 325 Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, ordered by Constantine
- 328-373 Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, first cite of modern 27 book New Testament canon
- 330 Old Church of the Holy Apostles, dedicated by Constantine
- 330 Old Saint Peter's Basilica dedicated by Constantine, located over the traditional burial site of Saint Peter the Apostle in Rome on Vatican Hill
- 331 capital of Roman Empire moved from Rome to Constantinople (New Rome)
- 335 Council in Jerusalem, reversed Nicaea's condemnation of Arius, consecrated Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- 337 Mirian III of Georgia, second to adopt Christianity as state religion
- 343? Council of Sardica
- 350? Julius Firmicus Maternus
- 350? Codex Sinaiticus(א), Codex Vaticanus(B): earliest Christian Bibles, Alexandrian text-type
- 350? Ulfilas, Arian, apostle to the Goths, translated Greek NT to Gothic
- 350? Comma Johanneum 1Jn5:7b-8a(KJV)
- 350? Aëtius, Arian, "Syntagmation": "God is agennetos (unbegotten)", (Anomoean)
- 350? School of Nisibis founded
- 351 2nd Council of Sirmium, Anomoean, condemned Council of Nicaea
- 353-367 Hilary, bishop of Poitiers
- 355-365 Antipope Felix II, Arian, supported by Constantius II, consecrated by Acacius of Caesarea
- 359 Council of Rimini, Dated Creed (Acacians)
- 363-364 Council of Laodicea, canon 29 decreed anathema for Christians who rest on the Sabbath, disputed canon 60 named 26 NT books (excluded Revelation)
- 366-367 Antipope Ursicinus, rival to Pope Damasus I
- 367-403 Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis, wrote Panarion against heresies
- 370-379 Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea
- 370? Doctrine of Addai at Edessa proclaims 17 book NT canon using Diatessaron (instead of the 4 Gospels) + Acts + 15 Pauline Epistles (inc. 3 Corinthians) Syriac Orthodox Church
- 372-394 Gregory, Bishop Of Nyssa
- 373 Ephrem the Syrian, cited Western Acts
- 374-397 Ambrose, bishop & governor of Milan
- 375-395 Ausonius, Christian governor of Gaul
- 379-381 Gregory Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople
- 380 Feb 27, Nicene Christianity declared state religion by Theodosius the Great<ref>Catholic Encyclopedia: Theodosius I: "In February, 380, he and Gratian published the famous edict that all their subjects should profess the faith of the Bishops of Rome and Alexandria (Cod. Theod., XVI, I, 2; Sozomen, VII, 4)."</ref>
- 381 First Council of Constantinople, 2nd ecumenical, Jesus had true human soul, Nicene Creed of 381
- 382 Council of Rome, held by Pope Damasus I, disputed
- 383? Frumentius, Apostle of Ethiopia
- 385 Priscillian, first heretic to be executed?
- 390? Apollinaris, bishop of Laodicea, believed Jesus had human body but divine spirit
- 396-430 Augustine, bishop of Hippo, considered the founder of formalized Christian theology (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
- 397? Saint Ninian evangelizes Picts in Scotland
- 398-404 John Chrysostom Patriarch of Constantinople, see also List of Patriarchs of Constantinople, (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
- 400? Ethiopic Bible: in Ge'ez, 81 books, standard Ethiopian Orthodox Bible
- 400? Peshitta Bible in Syriac (Aramaic), Syr(p), OT + 22 NT, excludes: 2Pt, 2-3Jn, Jude, Rev; standard Syriac Orthodox Church Bible
- 406 Armenian Bible, translated by Saint Mesrob, standard Armenian Orthodox Bible
- 412-444 Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, expelled Jews, killed Hypatia with oyster shells, coined Hypostatic union
- 418-419 Antipope Eulalius rival to Pope Boniface I
- 420 St. Jerome, Vulgate translations, Latin scholar, cited expanded ending in Mark after Mark 16:8, Pericope of the Adultress addition to John (John 7:53-8:11) (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
- 423-457 Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus, noted Tatian's Diatesseron in heavy use
- 431 Council of Ephesus, 3rd ecumenical, repudiated Nestorianism, decreed Mary the Mother of God, forbid any changes to Nicene Creed of 381, rejected by Assyrian Church of the East
- 432 St Patrick begins mission in Ireland. Almost the entire nation is Christian by the time of his death in a conversion that is both incredibly successful and largely bloodless.
- 440-461 Pope Leo the Great, sometimes considered the first pope, stopped Attila the Hun at Rome, issued Tome in support of Hypostatic Union, approved Council of Chalcedon but rejected canons in 453
- 447 Council of Toledo added Filioque clause to Nicene Creed of 381
- 449 Robber Council of Ephesus, Monophysite: Jesus was divine but not human
- 450? Codex Alexandrinus(A): Alexandrian text-type; Codex Bezae(D): Greek/Latin Gospels + Acts; Codex Washingtonianus(W): Greek Gospels; both of Western text-type
- 450? std. Aramaic Targums, Old Testament in Aramaic
- 450? Socrates Scholasticus, Sozomen, early Church historians
- 451 Council of Chalcedon, 4th ecumenical, declared Jesus is a Hypostatic Union: both human and divine in one, Chalcedonian Creed, rejected by Oriental Orthodoxy
- 456? Eutyches of Constantinople, Monophysite
- 465? Prosper of Aquitaine
- 476, September 4th, Fall of Rome
[edit] Early Middle Ages
- See also: Early Middle Ages
- 484-519 Acacian Schism, over Henoticon divides Eastern (Greek) and Western (Latin) churches
- 491 Armenian Orthodox split from East (Greek) and West (Latin) churches
- 495 May13 Vicar of Christ decreed a title of Bishop of Rome by Pope Gelasius I
- 496 Clovis I, King of the Franks, baptized
- 498-499,501-506 Antipope Laurentius, rival of Pope Symmachus, Laurentian schism
- 500? Incense introduced in Christian church service, first plans of Vatican
- 524 Boethius, Roman Christian philosopher, wrote: "Theological Tractates", Consolation of Philosophy; (Loeb Classics) (Latin)
- 525 Dionysius Exiguus defines Christian calendar (A.D.)
- 527 Fabius Planciades Fulgentius
- 530 Antipope Dioscorus, possibly a legitimate Pope
- 530 Rule of St Benedict, St. Benedict founds the Benedictines
- 535-536 Unusual climate changes recorded
- 537-555 Pope Vigilius, involved in death of Pope Silverius, conspired with Justinian and Theodora, on April 11, 548 issued Judicatum supporting Justinian's anti-Hypostatic Union, excommunicated by bishops of Carthage in 550
- 541-542 Plague of Justinian
- 543 Justinian condemns Origen, disastrous earthquakes hit the world
- 544 Justinian condemns the Three Chapters of Theodore of Mopsuestia (d.428) and other writings of Hypostatic Union Christology of Council of Chalcedon
- 550 St. David converts Wales, crucifix introduced
- 553 Second Council of Constantinople, 5th ecumenical, called by Justinian
- 556-561 Pope Pelagius I, selected by Justinian, endorsed Judicatum
- 563 Columba goes to Scotland to evangelize Picts, establishes monastery at Iona
- 567 Cassiodorus
- 589 Third Council of Toledo, Reccared and the Visigoths convert from Arianism to Catholicism
- 590-604 Pope Gregory the Great, whom many consider the greatest pope ever, reforms church structure and administration and establishes Gregorian Chant, Seven deadly sins ...
- 591-628 Theodelinda, Queen of the Lombards, began gradual conversion from Arianism to Catholicism
- 596 St. Augustine of Canterbury sent by Pope Gregory to evangelise the Jutes
- 600? Evagrius Scholasticus Church historian
- 604 St Paul's Cathedral in London
- 607 Pope Boniface III, first Bishop of Rome to be called "Pope" and "Universal Bishop" by decree of Emperor Phocas
- 609 Pantheon, Rome renamed Church of Santa Maria Rotonda
- 612? Bobbio monastery in northern Italy
- 613 Abbey of St. Gall in Switzerland
- 614 Khosrau II of Persia conquered Damascus, Jerusalem, took Holy Cross of Christ
- 624 Battle of Badr, considered beginning of Islamic Empire
- 625 Paulinus of York comes to convert Northumbria
- 628 Babai the Great, pillar of Assyrian Church of the East, died
- 628-629 Battle of Mut'ah, Heraclius recovered Cross of Christ and Jerusalem from Islam till 638
- 632 Eorpwald of East Anglia baptized under influence of Edwin of Northumbria
- 634-644 Umar, 2nd Sunni Islam Caliph, capital at Damascus, conquered Syria in 635, defeated Heraclius at Battle of Yarmuk in 636, conquered Egypt and Armenia in 639, Persia in 642
- 635 Cynegils of Wessex baptized by Bishop Birinus
- 640 Library of Alexandria, "The Center of Western Culture," with 300,000 ancient papyrus scrolls, is completely destroyed.
- 664 Synod of Whitby unites Celtic Christianity of British Isles with Roman Catholicism
- 680-681 Third Council of Constantinople, 6th ecumenical, against Monothelites, condemned Pope Honorius I, Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople, Heraclius' Ecthesis
- 681-686 Wilfrid converts Sussex
- 687-691 Dome of the Rock built
- 690? Old English Bible translations
- 692 Orthodox Quinisext Council, convoked by Justinian II, approved Canons of the Apostles of Apostolic Constitutions, Clerical celibacy, rejected by Pope Constantine
- 698 Fall of Carthage
- 711-718 Umayyad conquest of Hispania
- 717-718 Second Arab siege of Constantinople
- 718-1492 Reconquista, Iberian Peninsula retaken by Christendom
- 718 Saint Boniface, an Englishman, given commission by Pope Gregory II to evangelize the Germans
- 720? Disentis Abbey of Switzerland
- 730-787 First Iconoclasm, Byzantine Emperor Leo III bans Christian icons, Pope Gregory II excommunicates him
- 731 English Church History written by Bede
- 750? Tower added to St Peter's Basilica at the front of the atrium
- 752? Donation of Constantine, granted Western Roman Empire to the Pope, later proved a forgery
- 756 Donation of Pepin recognizes Papal States
- 781 Nestorian Stele, Daqin Pagoda, Jesus Sutras, Christianity in China
- 787 Second Council of Nicaea, 7th ecumenical, ends first Iconoclasm
- 793 Sacking of the monastery of Lindisfarne marks the beginning of Viking raids on Christendom.
- 800 King Charlemagne of the Franks is crowned first Holy Roman Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III.
- 849-865 Ansgar, Archbishop of Bremen, "Apostle of the North", began evangelisation of North Germany, Denmark, Sweden
- 855 Antipope Anastasius, Louis II, Holy Roman Emperor appointed him over Pope Benedict III but popular pressure caused withdrawal
- 863 Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius sent by the Patriarch of Constantinople to evangelise the Slavic peoples. They translate the Bible into Slavonic.
- 869-870 Catholic Fourth Council of Constantinople, condemned Patriarch Photius, rejected by Orthodox
- 879-880 Orthodox Fourth Council of Constantinople, restored Photius, condemned Pope Nicholas I and Filioque, rejected by Catholics
- 897,January Cadaver Synod, Pope Stephen VI conducts trial against dead Pope Formosus, public uprising against Stephen led to his imprisonment and strangulation
- 909 Abbey of Cluny, Benedictine monastery in France
- 948? Einsiedeln Abbey of Switzerland
- 966 Mieszko I duke of Poland baptised, Poland becomes a Christian country.
- 984 Antipope Boniface VII, murdered Pope John XIV, alleged to have murdered Pope Benedict VI in 974
- 988 Baptism of Kievan Rus'
- 997-998 Antipope John XVI, deposed by Pope Gregory V and his cousin Holy Roman Emperor Otto III
- 999 Much speculation and fear regarding the approach of the millennium
[edit] High Middle Ages
- See also: High Middle Ages
- 1012 Antipope Gregory VI, removed by Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
- 1030 Battle of Stiklestad, considered victory of Christianity over Norwegian Paganism
- 1045 Sigfrid of Sweden, Benedictine evangelist
- 1046 Council of Sutri, Pope Silvester III exiled, Pope Gregory VI admitted to buying the papacy and resigned, Pope Benedict IX resigned, council appointed Pope Clement II
- 1054 East-West Schism split between Eastern (Orthodox Christianity) and Western (Roman Catholic) churches formalized
- 1058-1059 Antipope Benedict X, defeated in war with Pope Nicholas II and Normans
- 1061-1064 Antipope Honorius II rival of Pope Alexander II
- 1065 Westminster Abbey consecrated
- 1073-1085 Pope Gregory VII, Investiture Controversy with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, proponent of Clerical celibacy, opponent of simony, concubinage, Antipope Clement III
- 1079 Stanislaus of Szczepanów, patron saint of Poland
- 1082 Engelberg Abbey of Switzerland
- 1093-1109 Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote Cur Deus Homo (Why God Became Man), a landmark exploration of the Atonement
- 1095-1291 10 Crusades, first called by Pope Urban II at Council of Clermont against Islamic empire to reconquer the Holy Land for Christendom
- 1098 Foundation of the reforming monastery of Citeaux, leads to the growth of the Cistercian order.
- 1101 Antipope Theodoric and Antipope Adalbert deposed by Pope Paschal II
- 1118 Knights Templar founded, to defend Holy Land
- 1123 Catholic First Lateran Council
- 1128 Holyrood Abbey in Scotland
- 1130 Peter of Bruys, burned at the stake
- 1131 Tintern Abbey in Wales
- 1131-1138 Antipope Anacletus II
- 1139 Catholic Second Lateran Council
- 1140? Decretum Gratiani, Catholic Canon law
- 1142 Peter Abélard, Letters of Abelard and Heloise
- 1144 The Saint Denis Basilica of Abbot Suger is the first major building in the style of Gothic architecture.
- 1154-1159 Pope Adrian IV, first (and to date only) English pope
- 1155 Theotokos of Vladimir arrives to Bogolyubovo
- 1155 Carmelites founded
- 1163 Notre Dame de Paris, construction begun
- 1173 Waldensians founded
- 1179 Catholic Third Lateran Council
- 1191 Teutonic Knights founded
- 1204-1261 Latin Empire of Constantinople
- 1205 Saint Francis of Assisi becomes a hermit, founding the Franciscan order of friars, renounces wealth and begins his ministry; the Rosary is reportedly given to St. Dominic (who founded Dominican Order) by an apparition of Mary
- 1215 Catholic Fourth Lateran Council, decreed special dress for Jews and Muslims
- 1220-1263 St Alexander Nevsky, holy patron of Russia
- 1231 Charter of the University of Paris granted by Pope Gregory IX.
- 1245 Catholic First Council of Lyon
- 1252 May 15, Ad exstirpanda, Pope Innocent IV authorized use of torture in Inquisitions
- 1260 Date which a 1988 Vatican sponsored scientific study places the origin of the Shroud of Turin
- 1274 Summa Theologiae, written by Thomas Aquinas, theologian and philosopher, landmark systematic theology which later became official Catholic doctrine
- 1274 Catholic Second Council of Lyon
[edit] Renaissance
- See also: Renaissance
- 1305-1378 Avignon Papacy, Popes reside in Avignon, France
- 1311 Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri
- 1311-1312 Catholic Council of Vienne, disbanded Knights Templar
- 1314 Jacques de Molay, last Grandmaster of Knights Templar, burned at the stake
- 1326 Metropolitan Peter moves his see from Kiev to Moscow
- 1341-1351 Orthodox Fifth Council of Constantinople
- 1342 Marsilius of Padua
- 1345 Sergii Radonezhskii founds a hermitage in the woods, which would grow into the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra
- 1347-1350 Black Death
- 1378-1418 Western Schism in Roman Catholicism
- 1380-1382 Wyclif's Bible, by John Wycliffe, eminent theologian at Oxford, NT in 1380, OT (with help of Nicholas of Hereford) in 1382, translations into Middle English, 1st complete translation to English, included deuterocanonical books, preached against abuses, expressed anti-catholic views of the sacraments (Penance and Eucharist), the use of relics, and Clerical celibacy
- 1408 Council of Oxford forbids translations of the Scriptures into the vernacular unless and until they were fully approved by Church authority
- 1409 Council of Pisa, declared Roman Pope Gregory XII and Avignon Pope Benedict XIII deposed, elected Pope Alexander V (called the Pisan Pope)
- 1414-1418 Catholic Council of Constance, asked Gregory XII, Benedict XIII, Pisan Pope John XXIII to resign their papal claims, then elected Pope Martin V; condemned John Wycliffe and Jan Hus who was burned at the stake
- 1423-1424 Council of Siena
- 1425 Catholic University of Leuven
- 1430? Andrei Rublev, the greatest of medieval icon-painters
- 1431 St. Joan of Arc, French national heroine, burned at the stake
- 1431-1445 Catholic Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence
- 1439 Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, highest building in the world till 1874
- 1453 Fall of Constantinople, overrun by Ottoman Empire
- 1455 Gutenberg Bible, first printed Bible, by Johann Gutenberg
- 1473-1481 Sistine Chapel built
- 1478 Spanish Inquisition established by Pope Sixtus IV
- 1484 December 5, Summis desiderantes against Witchcraft issued by Pope Innocent VIII
- 1498 Girolamo Savonarola, Dominican priest, Bonfire of the Vanities
- 1506 Pope Julius II orders the Old St. Peter's Basilica torn down and authorizes Donato Bramante to plan a new structure, demolition completed in 1606, Vatican Swiss Guard founded
- 1508-1512 Michelangelo frescoes the Sistine Chapel's vaulted ceiling
- 1512-1517 Catholic Fifth Council of the Lateran, condemned Conciliarism
[edit] Reformation
- See also: Reformation
- 1517 95 Theses of Martin Luther begins German Protestant Reformation
- 1521 Diet of Worms condemns Luther
- 1521 Ferdinand Magellan claims the Philippines for Spain, first mass and subsequent conversion to Catholicism, first in East Asia
- 1522 Luther's NT, German NT translation
- 1525 Anabaptist movement begins
- 1526 Tyndale's NT, English NT translation from 1516 Greek text of Erasmus, first printed edition, used as a vehicle by Tyndale for bitter attacks on Catholicism, reflects influence of Luther's NT in rejecting priest for elder, church for congregation, banned in 1546 by Henry VIII
- 1530 Augsburg Confession, Luther founds the Lutheran Church
- 1531 Huldrych Zwingli, Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, independent of Luther
- 1531 Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico
- 1534 Henry VIII established independent Church of England, see also English Reformation
- 1534 Jesuit order founded by Ignatius of Loyola, helped reconvert large areas of Poland, Hungary, and S. Germany and sent missionaries to the New World, India, and China
- 1535-1537 Myles Coverdale's Bible, used Tyndale's NT along with Latin and German versions, included Apocrypha at the end of the OT (like Luther's Bible of 1534) as was done in later English versions, 1537 edition received royal license, but banned in 1546 by Henry VIII
- 1535 Thomas More refused to accept King Henry VIII's claim to be the supreme head of the Church in England, and was executed.
- 1536 Desiderius Erasmus, Dutch scholar, Greek NT used in many 16th century translations
- 1536 Tyndale put to death, left his OT translation in manuscript, English ecclesiastical authorities ordered his Bible burned because it was thought to be part of Lutheran reform
- 1536 Institutes of the Christian Religion written by John Calvin (Calvinism)
- 1536 John of Leiden, fanatic Dutch Anabaptist