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314
Melchiades Bishop of Rome
Melchiades (also known as Miltiades) became Bishop of Rome (pope) in 311 at a moment when profound events were shaking the world and the church. He lived only three years longer, but, although he did not die a martyr, he is included in the list of Roman martyrs. This was probably because he suffered under the fierce persecution of the Emperors Diocletian and Galerius. During that persecution, an earlier Bishop of Rome, Eusebius, was sent into exile. For a few months, there was no Bishop of Rome. -
320
40 Men Died on Ice for Christ
Governor Agricola of Armenia was confronted with "mutiny." Forty soldiers refused to offer the sacrifice ordered by emperor Licinius. The forty who stood before him that wintry fourth-century day in Sevaste were fine specimens of manhood who radiated an aura of courage. He was determined to make them see reason. -
325
Nicea Ruling on Easter Day
What is the most important day in the Christian year? Ask the average person in the United States and chances are you will hear "Christmas." But in the early centuries of the church, the day of the resurrection was more important. From its earliest days, the church annually celebrated the anniversary of Jesus' resurrection, often calling the holiday the Christian Passover. (The Greek name for Passover was Pasch, so Easter is sometimes called Paschal; Easter is an English word.) Even while the a -
326
Alexandria Lost Notable Alexander
The whole Christian world honors Athanasius as its champion because of his battles against Arianism. But behind Athanasius was a great bishop--the man who set Athanasius' feet on the path to fame. Alexander not only selected Athanasius to be his successor, but took open action against the heresy of Arius, the priest who insisted Jesus was a created being rather than an eternal member of the Godhead. -
336
The 1st Recorded Celebration of Christmas
Today is Christmas day (Christ's mass). But for the first 300 years of Christianity, it wasn't so. When was Christmas first celebrated? In an old list of Roman bishops, compiled in A. D. 354 these words appear for A.D. 336: "25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae." December 25th, Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea. This day, December 25, 336, is the first recorded celebration of Christmas. -
345
The Body of St. Nicholas Lay in Myra
Santa Claus for real? There was a St. Nicholas. Unfortunately, we have little sure knowledge about him. According to legend, in the fourth century, in the town of Patara, in the Asian province of Lycia, a childless couple prayed for a son. Their prayers were heard and they named him Nicholas. Even as a baby, he showed marks of holiness. -
356
Antony Gave Big Push to Monastacism
When Antony of Egypt realized he was dying, he took two monks with him into the desert and ordered them to bury him in a secret place. He was much revered and feared that his body might become an object of reverence. According to tradition, he died on this day, January 17, 356, at the ripe age of 105. -
Death of Helena, 1st Christian Archaeologist
A character in a nursery rhyme may be closely connected with Church history and Christian archaeology. Probably you have sung "Old King Cole was a merry old soul." But did you know that the British have an ancient tradition that Helena, the fourth-century Christian archaeologist was the daughter of King Coel of Colchester, immortalized in this Mother Goose rhyme? -
Semi-Arians Ridiculed for Their "Dated" Creed
One of the greatest wars of all times was fought with pens and speeches, councils, ridicule and exile. It was the battle to define the central doctrine of Christianity: who Christ is in relation to God the Father. The battles raged for most of the fourth century.
Arius claimed that Christ was a created being. "There is a time when Christ was not," he said. This view became known as Arianism. The council of Nicea rejected it. Christ is of the same substance and essence as God the Father -
Eusebius, 1st Church Historian
Suppose you are a survivor of an outlawed organization whose origins go back to around 1700, seventy-six years before America became an independent nation. "Tell the story of your people," you are urged. The problem is, your people were an illegal group. In fact, the government tried to exterminate them! Their leaders were captured and killed and many letters and books burned. They left no public festivals, no monuments--very little by which historians ordinarily trace history.
