-
64
64 Persecution of Christians begins under Roman emperor Nero
-
250
250 Persecution under Roman emperor Decius.
Decius required all to worship the gods of the state or be tortured and killed. -
251
Council of Carthage
This council allowed people who lapsed in their faith during the persecution to be brought
back into the Church after a period of penance. -
303
Persecution under Roman emperor Diocletian.
Diocletian ordered the destruction of all Christian churches, imprisonment of bishops and priests, and the execution of all who refused to participate in the public worship of pagan
gods. -
313
Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan.
This edict granted religious toleration to Christians and unleashed the spread of
Christianity. -
325
Council of Nicaea.
This council, called by Emperor Constantine, set forth the Nicene Creed and affirmed that
Jesus and the Father are consubstantial – of the same substance. -
330
Emperor Constantine divides the Roman Empire into East and West.
The West was centered in Rome, and the East was centered in Constantinople (present-day
Istanbul, Turkey). -
330
Construction of the first St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
-
397
Councils of Hippo and Carthage determine which books will become part of the New Testament.
-
410
The Visigoths destroy the city of Rome
-
431
Council of Ephesus.
Hypostatic Union This council condemned a heresy that said that Jesus was two persons in one body, and the council declared that the Virgin Mary is truly the Mother of God (Theotokos) -
451
Council of Chalcedon.
This council affirmed that Christ is fully human and fully divine (the hypostatic union). -
476
The Western Roman Empire collapses.
-
496
Clovis, the King of the Franks, coverts to Catholicism.