Historia Ecclesiae

2,000 Years of Church History

From the Upper Room in Jerusalem to the Vatican today — the most remarkable institution in human history.

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c. 33 AD

Pentecost — Birth of the Church

The Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room. Peter preaches and 3,000 are baptized. The Church is born.

c. 64-68 AD

Martyrdom of Peter and Paul in Rome

The great Apostles Peter and Paul are martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero. Peter is crucified upside down; Paul is beheaded.

313 AD

Edict of Milan

Emperor Constantine I issues the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance throughout the Empire.

325 AD

First Council of Nicaea

The first ecumenical council defines the divinity of Christ against Arianism. The Nicene Creed is composed.

380 AD

Christianity becomes State Religion of Rome

Emperor Theodosius declares Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

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431 AD

Council of Ephesus — Mary declared Theotokos

The Council of Ephesus defines Mary as Theotokos ('God-bearer'). This confirms Christ's full divinity.

451 AD

Council of Chalcedon

Defines Christ as one Person with two natures — fully human and fully divine.

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590 AD

Pontificate of St. Gregory the Great

Pope Gregory the Great sends missionaries to England, reforms the liturgy, and writes pastoral masterpieces.

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897–964 AD

The Dark Age of the Papacy — Saeculum Obscurum

The darkest period in papal history. Corrupt noble families controlled the papacy, popes were murdered and deposed, and a dead pope was put on trial. Yet the Church survived — a testimony to Christ's promise.

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1054 AD

The Great Schism

The mutual excommunication between Rome and Constantinople divides Christianity into Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.

1095 AD

The Crusades Begin

Pope Urban II calls the First Crusade at Clermont.

1215 AD

Fourth Lateran Council

The greatest council of the medieval Church. Defines transubstantiation. Mandates annual Confession and Communion.

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1378–1417 AD

The Western Schism — Two and Three Popes at Once

For nearly 40 years, rival claimants to the papacy reigned simultaneously in Rome and Avignon. At one point, three men all claimed to be Pope. Resolved at the Council of Constance.

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1517 AD

The Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses, sparking the Reformation.

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1534 AD

The English Reformation — Henry VIII and the Anglican Schism

King Henry VIII separates England from Rome after the Pope refuses to annul his marriage. The Act of Supremacy declares the King head of the Church of England.

1545-1563 AD

Council of Trent

The Catholic response to the Reformation. Clarifies doctrine and codifies the Tridentine Mass.

1870 AD

First Vatican Council — Papal Infallibility

Vatican I defines the dogma of papal infallibility.

1962-1965 AD

Second Vatican Council

The 21st ecumenical council reformed the liturgy and opened dialogue with the modern world.

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2000 AD

Great Jubilee of the Year 2000

Pope John Paul II leads the Church into the third millennium.