-
51
AD ^ Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).
Gentile Christians accepted alongside those in the Jewish tradition. -
313
Edict of Milan issued by Constantine
Christianity becomes a legal religion within the Roman empire. -
325
Constantine calls the first ecumenical council at Nicea.
Arian heresy which declared Christ was a created being is refuted. Nicene Creed is drawn up, declaring Christ to be "...Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father..." -
431
Ecumenical council held at Ephesus refutes Nestorianism.
(The doctrine that Christ was two persons (one human, the other divine) in one body). Mary is declared Theotokos i.e. 'God-bearer' or more commonly, 'Mother of God'. -
590
Insertion of the filioque
(Latin: 'and the son') into the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed at a council in Toledo. -
1054
Great Schism
Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic churches separate. -
1095
Pope
Pope Urban II authorises the first Crusade to recover the Holy Land from Moslems. -
1204
Crusade
Sack of Constantinople during the fourth crusade. -
1348
Rise
Defence of Orthodox spirituality by Gregory Palamas. Rise of Hesychasm. -
1378
The return
Following the return of the Papacy to Rome, rival claimants (Antipopes) emerge. Dispute ends in 1417 with election of Martin V. -
1517
Martin Luther
Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses in Wittenburg, Germany; beginning the Protestant reformation. -
1535
Henry VIII
Act of Supremacy passed - Henry VIII becomes supreme head of the English church. -
1545
Council
Council of Trent - Roman Catholic counter reformation. -
Vatican
First Vatican council. Dogma of Papal infallibility proclaimed. -
Billy Graham
Billy Graham born. Later becomes one of the most prominent evangelists in Christian history. -
1940-50
Formation of the World Council of Churches.
Dogma of the Assumption of Mary proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church. -
Major Reforms
Second Vatican council. Major reforms in the Roman Catholic church are initiated.
Mutual anathemas of 1054 between Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches lifted.