Catholic Church Squad

Medieval Cathedrals

Sep 13, 1000

The medieval cathedral construction starts. Cathedrals began to arise across Europe that stand majestically till this day. It would be fascinating to know what percentage of the economy of their time that church building represented. Beyond doubt, it would be staggering to compare what it would mean if a similar percentage of our economy were devoted to the honor and worship of God. Between 1050 and 1350 in France alone, over 500 large churches were built and 1,000 parish churches.

Catholic Church Timeline

Period: Sep 13, 1000 to Sep 13, 1500

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Jan 1, 1009

al-Hakim, the Caliph of Egypt, ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem destroyed. The demolition of this site, so holy to Christians, began with the empty tomb where Jesus had allegedly been buried, and continued with the dome. Destruction was not total, however, because as the high parts fell, rubble blocked the workmen from getting at lower parts. For close to forty years, Christians were forbidden to visit the site. Constantine was the emperor who build the original Sepulcher.

The Great Schism

Jul 6, 1054

The Great Schism, also known as the East-West Schism was an event that separted the Eastern and the Western church communities. The primary causes of this event was over papal authority. This event caused the churches communities to split their doctrinal, theological, linguistic, political, and geographic perspectives. I chose this event because this event was one of the major events that took place in the Catholic church history that troubled the whole church systems.

Arian IV

Jan 1, 1154

Only one Englishman has ever been pope. That was Nicholas Breakspear, known to history as Adrian IV. The business of the monastery took him to Rome where Pope Eugenius III also saw promise in the Saxon exile. He would not allow him to return to St. Rufus, but kept him in Rome and made him a cardinal. Among the tasks he charged him with was establishing the archbishopric in Norway. Shortly after his return to Rome, Nicholas was elected pope. I chose him because he was the ONLY english pope ever.

Saladin Captures Jerusalem

Jan 1, 1187

A fight between Christian Crusaders and Muslim Saracens. Chatillon, a cruel Crusader, massacred several dozen Muslim pilgrims in cold blood just because they stepped onto his territory. This so maddened Sultan Sladin of the Saracens that he vowed revenge. Saladin shamed the ruthless Crusaders by treating the city with kindness and keeping every promise he made to its people. Islam controlled Jerusalem from that day until the 20th century.

Sending Children to War

Jan 1, 1212

One day a 12 year old sheperd boy Stephen brought a letter to King Phillip saying that it was from Christ. Apparently the letter told him organize a crusade to march on Jerusalem. By June, there were 300,000 kids heading to Jerusalem (their only source was faith; they did not have anything to guide them). The summer was very dry, and so many kids died before reaching the coast. I chose this event because I was surprised how religion can make such a huge movement with kids and their parents.

Great Charter of England

Sep 13, 1215

Archbishop Stephen Langton, a man so holy it was said he put all Rome to shame, was the document's main architect. At stake were issues of importance to both church and nobles. England's barons were on the threshold of revolt against John, their high-handed King when Stephen Langton brought to their attention an old charter granted by Henry I.The archbishop and the nobles amplified the principles in Henry's charter and presented their Great Charter to King John at the field of Runnymead.

Salisbury Cathedral

Apr 28, 1220

Salisbury Cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Old Sarum, England. Unlike most Medieval cathedrals, Salisbury was built in a single campaign. Just who did design Salisbury is not known but it is said that Bishop Poore was the motivating force behind the project. Salisbury Cathedral is in the Early English Gothic style. chose this event because this Cathedral is one of the most famous gothic style church in the 1500th century.

The Black Plague

Jan 1, 1347

The Black Plague was an epidemic that spread throughout Europe that killed 25% of the population. This also affected the Churches all around Europe. It killed many leaders of Churches, which brought confusion and frustration to the religious people. They did not know what to do without a leader, and their only hope was to pray to God.

Errors of the Flagellants

Jan 1, 1349

Many worshippers tried to appease God by hurting/torturing themselves, showing how "sorry" they are for sinning. This event was done by a group of men who flogged themselves publically. Peter Damien whos performance was the most intense, suppress his lusts by scourging himself. "God was angry at the world", and so these men performed this for their sins.

Archbishop Sudbury

Jan 1, 1380

In 1380, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon of Sudbury became Lord Chancellor of England. Outraged by a corrupt church, a failing war with France, and the hardship of special taxes, England's peasants revolted. Bursting into Canterbury Cathedral during a religious service, they swore to kill Sudbury for his part in the war with France and the taxes that accompanied it.

Joan of Arc

Apr 22, 1429

During the 100 Years War, a mysterious girl who showed up infront of the French army, convincing them that she has the the power to hear Gods voice. The army believed her, and followed her instructions (which was said by God apparently) which eventually brought them to victory to the war in 1453 (she was burned to death in 1432). I chose her because she is one of the most important symbolic being in France, still to this day.

Erasmus

Jan 1, 1466

A Dutch scholar named Erasmus challenged the Christians to get back to their first-century faith. He made a new version of the New Testament so the people will recognize his faith in Christianity. He soon became a priest (age 23) but since the monastic life didn't suit him at all, so after 3 years he left to Paris to study.

Columbus Landed on America

Jan 1, 1492

Christopher Columbus was on sea for over 30 days without any sight of land, until they reached the land of Americas. Throughout this expedition, Columbus not only discovered a new area, but he was able to spread his culture. That includes relgion. Columbus spread Christianity to the native americans, which eventually flourished further.

New World

Sep 13, 1494

When Christopher Columbus defied the commonsense of the day and sailed west instead of east to find India, he gave as one reason for doing so to take the gospel to the heathen. Clergymen accompanied him in his voyages. The Christian faith did indeed come to the new world and, as a consequence, numerous churches and cathedrals grace the cities of the Americas.