The Great Schism

The Great Schism was the first major division within Christianity, it occurred in the 11^th century and separated the Church into Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) or Latin and Greek. It was the result of many years of disagreement over matters with Christian beliefs established by Ecumenical Councils. Cultural differences also played a role in this division of Christendom. 

The tipping point is believed to be the results of the Fourth Crusade. In 1204, Christian soldiers sent from Rome were destined for Egypt. The Crusaders lacked funds and provisions and were, out of necessity, enlisted to bring order to a Christian city. Pope Innocent, who initiated the Crusade, was angered by this and excommunicated the crusaders. This caused the crusaders to go to Constantinople, and they sacked the city and drove the Byzantines, the Eastern greek-speaking continuation of Roman Empire, into exile. There were efforts made to reunite the two churches, but in 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul and any hopes of a resolution were gone. Christianity was now divided into an Easter and Western Church.

The Crusades

The Crusades were Papal sponsored military attacks by European Christian knights to defend Christians and for the expansion of Christian domains. These Crusades were against many different groups, which included Muslims, pagans, and heretics among others. When most people think of the Crusades they associate them with “Holy wars”, as the aim for some of the Crusades was to gain control of the Holy Land, or Jerusalem, from Muslim Arabs. Though Christians held Jerusalem for nearly a century and held other areas around the Holy Land for longer than that, the Crusades were a failure as Muslims regained control and there was no permanent Christian presence established.

Map showing the route taken during the first four Crusades

Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great

During the rule of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Constantine was introduced to Christianity by his mother and his conversion into Christianity is an important part of its early history. After he declared himself a Christian, in 313 AD he issued the Edict of Milan, which promoted equality among all religions, and Christian worship became legal. In 325 AD Constantine summoned the Council of Nicaea, which was the first Ecumenical Council, this council brought together representatives of all Christians and brought about a consensus among them concerning various issues. During this council the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was established, also the Nicene Creed was formed which is a document of the core Christian beliefs. Other councils were held during this time to find a consensus on all disputes that were present in Christianity. Constantine was also responsible for the commission of the first Christian Bibles.

An artists depiction of the Council of Nicaea

While Christianity gained popularity within the Roman Empire during Constantine’s rule, it also continued to spread outside of the Roman Empire towards the east and other regions within Europe. Around this time is when Christian Monasticism, or Christian monks, first appeared. In 318 AD Saint Pachomius organized his followers and established the first monastery.

Early History

The early history of Christianity refers to the first three centuries, this time span can be divided into two periods: the apostolic period, when the first apostles were alive and led the church, and the post-apostolic period, when the Christian movement began to become structured. The post-apostolic period was also a period of persecution towards Christians. 

Apostolic Age

The apostolic age, from the years 30 – 100 AD, is a very important time in the history of Christianity, it provided the foundation for the future and also produced writings that formed the New Testament. This is a time during which Jesus’ apostles, along with his relatives, travelled around the Mediterranean and sought converts. Initially during this time Christians were identified with the Jewish religion, this provided protection from the Romans as Jews were exempt from certain legal requirements during the time. But the doctorines of the apostles began to cause conflict between Christians and the Jewish authorities, this led to their expulsion and Christianity achieved a separate identity. Now that Christians were no longer associated with Judaism they were no longer exempt from certain Roman laws and this led to persecution as Christians refused to worship Roman Gods.

Post-Apostolic Age

The post-apostolic age, from the years 100 – 313 AD, is a time period during which Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire but Christianity continued its spread throughout the Mediterranean and eventually the persecutions ended with the legalization of Christianity under Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. During this time Christianity also began to become structured with the emergence of bishops and a hierarchy. During this time the writings of the apostles began to be shared amongst Christian communities and the Biblical canon was formed. Most of what is known as the New Testament in modern times was formed in this period.

Map showing spread of Christianity during first 6 centuries

Life of Jesus Christ

Jesus of Nazareth was a Galilean Jew born at the beginning of the first century. He was born during a time when the Roman Empire was in power and was controlling Jewish provinces. What is known about Jesus’s life is derived from the four gospels in the New Testament.

The gospels say that Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem. Jesus’s birth was a miracle and he was born to a virgin mother, the gospels say that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. Jesus spent his childhood in Galilee, the gospels say he began to work as a carpenter as he grew older.

The gospels go on to tell the story of Jesus’s baptism, performed by John the Baptist, after which a voice from Heaven says that Jesus is my son and the Holy Spirit comes down to Jesus. After this Jesus begins his ministry, and he appoints twelve apostles. Jesus and his apostles then go on to teach and preach about the Kingdom of God. During this time Jesus also performed many miracles that proved his divinity to his followers. But these miracles also caught the attention of others, those that are against his teachings and these men plot to kill Jesus.

At the Last Supper, the last time that Jesus and his 12 apostles are all together before his death, Jesus predicts that one of his apostles will betray him. In the gospels the betrayer is said to be Judas, Judas identifies Jesus, by kissing him, to a group of Jewish priests and who arrest him and put him on trial. They accused Jesus of claiming to be the King of Jews and take him to Roman governor Pontius Pilate to judge him. Pilate finds Jesus not to be guilty but then put Jesus, along with another prisoner, in front of a crowd and gives them the power to choose which prisoner gets released. The gospels say that the Jewish priests convince the crowd to choose the other prisoners and Jesus is sent to be crucified.

The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci

Judas's Betrayal

After Jesus is crucified and dies he is buried in a tomb, the gospels say that one week after the crucifixion Jesus’s tomb is found empty and he has been resurrected. Jesus then appears to the disciples with messages for them, and before he ascends to heaven he tells them to spread his teachings to the world. 

Jesus's crucifixion