Persecution of the Way

  • 64

    Great Fire of Rome

    Nero launches persecutions of Christians.
  • 70

    Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus

  • 81

    Persecution under Domitian

  • 88

    St. Clement I is Pope

    Restored the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the rite of St. Peter, martyred in 97.
  • 110

    St. Ignatius of Antioch martyred

  • 112

    Trajan’s Rescript in response to Pliny

  • 115

    St. Sixtus I is Pope; died in 125

  • 123

    Hadrian’s Rescript

  • 125

    St. Telesphorus is Pope; martyred in 136

    He composed the Gloria in Excelsis Deo
  • 155

    St. Polycarp martyred

  • 161

    St. Justin Martyr dedicates his Second Apology

  • 180

    St. Irenaeus writes Against Heresies

  • 196

    Tertullian begins writing

  • 203

    Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are martyred in the arena at Carthage

  • 215

    Origen begins writing

  • 250

    Edict of Decius orders empire-wide persecution of Christians

  • 257

    Valerian Rescript in 257 and 258

  • 293

    Diocletian creates the Tetrarchy

  • 303

    “Great Persecution” begins under Diocletian

  • 312

    Constantine adopts Christian symbol before battle

  • 313

    Edict of Milan