Early Church Fathers

By 7305
  • Period: May 10, 1030 to May 10, 1039

    Jesus' to Nero.

    Passion, and resurection. Pentecost. Seven helenistic believers are chosen as Deacons (Stephen is among one of the seven). Stephen is Martyred. Conversion of St. Paul.
  • Period: May 10, 1038 to May 10, 1046

    Paul preaches in Cilicia and Syria

  • May 10, 1040

    The Didache

    The teaching of the 12 apostles, a very early church writing like the early catechism. 3 sections, 1) teaching of life and death. 2) instruction on dealing with church practice and order (heirarchy of a parish) 3) closing reminding of Jesus' coming.
  • Period: May 10, 1043 to May 10, 1044

    Herod arrests and kills James

    Peter is arrested and delivered
  • May 10, 1050

    Council of Jerusalem

    Whether converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised or not
  • Period: May 10, 1050 to May 10, 1117

    St. Ignatius of Antioch

    Wrote letters to church on his way to become executed. 3rd Bishop of Antioch. Big on Unity as vital for church. Unity is expressed in faithful submission to the heirarchy to the church. On his way to martyerdom he stopped as churches and warned them against heresies
  • Period: May 10, 1054 to May 10, 1068

    Nero

    The evil emperor (number of the beast). Burned city and blamed Christians. Started a persecution.
  • May 10, 1064

    Fire in Rome

    Nero blamed Christians
  • Period: May 10, 1065 to May 10, 1067

    Peter and Paul death in Rome

    Peter is martyered in 65.
    Paul martered in 67.
  • Period: May 10, 1069 to May 10, 1155

    St. Polycarp

    Disciple of John, friend of Ignatius, and teacher of Irenaeus. He was a martyr and defended the faith against heresies
  • Period: May 10, 1069 to May 10, 1097

    St. Clement Bishop of Rome

    4th Bishop of Rome. Knew both St Paul and St Peter. Known for his letter to the Corinthians.
  • Period: May 10, 1085 to May 10, 1160

    Marcionism

    A specially influencial form of Gnosism, affirm Gnostic dualism and rejection of the O.T. Accepted only epistles of Paul because he seemed to reject judism and portions of Luke, which didnt have any judism.
  • Period: May 10, 1092 to May 10, 1096

    Persecution of Domitian

  • Period: May 10, 1100 to May 10, 1165

    St. Justin Martyr

    Converted at age 30, had a philosophical journey towards conversion. Famous as an apologist who defended the christian church and explained doctrines, such as early christian worship. Looked for the truth in classical philosophy and implied in christianity. Both reason and scripture lead to Christ.
  • Period: May 10, 1101 to May 10, 1200

    Gnosticism ?

    Comes from the Greek Gnosis, meaning Wisdom and Knowledge. Oppose Christian doctrine of creation. Believe matter is created by a lower, evil god. Believe all truths fully understand by privileged elect. Christology, Jesus is not full a man (doceticism). Reaction to Gnosticism is by some reacting against the influence of Greek thought, and others embrace greek thought
  • Period: May 10, 1125 to May 10, 1202

    St. Irenaeus of Lyons

    Disciple of Polycarp. Bishop of Lyon. First systematic Theologian. Most cited early church father in catecism. Was an apologist against Gnosticism, author of "Against the Heresies".
  • Period: May 10, 1150 to May 10, 1215

    St. Clement of Alexandria

    Trained in Athens in greek thought and greek culture. A student of Panteaenus. A pioneering Christian scholar. Did speculative theology, which pushed for a deeper understanding of scripture. Used philosophy to deepen understanding of Christ. True Knowledge comes from the reason guided by the truth that is Jesus Christ. The purpose of Life is to become like God.
  • Period: May 10, 1160 to May 10, 1225

    Tertullian

    Wrote in Greek and Latin. Highly educated in law, literature, and philosophy. He was a lawyer. Converted in 193 by heroism of Martyrs. Became a Montenist in 205 then founded his own sect, in which he excoriated sinners. Believes some sins cant be forgiven. Called for a purer church. Known as creater of ecclesical latin and opposed greek philosophy. First to use the term "Trinitas".
  • May 10, 1180

    Founding of the School of Alexandria

    Alexandria used Allergorical method of understanding scripture.
  • Period: May 10, 1185 to May 10, 1254

    Origin of Alexandria

    Highly educated. Studied under Clement. Followed as leader at school of Alexandria at age 18. Heavily influenced by Plato, wrote 6,000 works. Wrote the Hexapla, 6 texts of O.T. given side by side. 4 different greek texts. He is not a saint because he believed in preexistence of soul, that there will be other worlds after this one is destroyed, salvation of all sinners even sation (not eternal punishment in hell). Gave literal interpretation of Matt 19:12.
  • Period: May 10, 1208 to May 10, 1258

    St. Cyprian of Carthage.

    A bishop and martyr. Expert Rhetorician who gained fame as a pagan, but became disgusted with corruption in government and converted to seek something higher. Works include decay of roman society, hollowness of political success, the only refuge is temperate life of study and prayer. Great compassion in face of disease. Told christians to help not only other christians but pagans as well.
  • May 10, 1250

    Decius

    Persecution. Cyprian left during persectuion but kept close contact. Brought among problems of the Lapsi. The anti-pope did not want to give absolution to the Lapsi.
  • May 10, 1251

    Epidemic

    Epidemic sweeps Roman empire. Cyprian encouraged followers to take care of both christians and pagans.
  • Period: May 10, 1256 to May 10, 1336

    Arius

    A senior priest at Alexandria. Went to the school of Antioch. A man of appartent piety and outward asceticism. Started the Arian heresy. Taught Jesus' was not divine and christ and holy spirit were merely creatures.
  • May 10, 1257

    Valerian Persecution

  • Period: May 10, 1263 to May 10, 1340

    Eusebius of Caesarea

    First historian of the church. Apostolic succession is backbone of church history. History reveils love of Christ for his church in spite of persecution and heresies. History is Christocentric (christ in the center). Study of history is a way of coming to know and love God.
  • Period: May 10, 1293 to May 10, 1305

    Diocletian persecution

  • Period: May 10, 1297 to May 10, 1373

    St. Athenasius of Alexandria

    Pillar of Orthodoxy in a difficult time. An opponent of arch heretic Arius. Held Christ was truly God, therefore God himself was accessible to christians. Friends of St. Anthony (founder of Monasticism) -> A inspiration to Athenasius for exemplary life.
  • May 10, 1313

    Edict of Milan

    Constantine decrees toleration of Christianity
  • Period: May 10, 1315 to May 10, 1386

    St. Cyril of Jerusalem

    Exiled 3 times, by Arians. Suspected of having arian sympathies by orthodox catholics. Known for both exemplary pastoral care and taking part in arian controversy. Writings as a teacher were famous, his catecheses take new converts through the basis of the faith. Into the mysteries of these sacraments and on into the life of prayer. The whole christian rebirth through baptism. His teachings involved body, mind, and spirit.
  • May 10, 1325

    Council of Nicaea

    Condemns Arianism. But that doesn't stop Arianism, it grows and almost takes over.
  • Period: May 10, 1329 to May 10, 1379

    St. Basil the Great

    Known for his exemplary holiness. Balanced good works with solitary prayer and meditation. He turned monasticism outward. Made important contributions to the doctrine of the trinity. Basil is a plant. Three leaf clover is a plant. Three leaf clover represents trinity. He was for frequent communion.
  • Period: May 10, 1330 to May 10, 1390

    St. Gregory of Nazianzus

    Friend of Basil. Devoted himself to solitude and meditiation. Ordained reluctantly because he did not want to be ordained because he knew he was going to be made bishop. Uses sharp resoning and clear logic to defend orthodox theology against arians. Theology was not pure reason but comes from a life of prayer and holiness. Pray is imporant. and Charity is the way of salvation.
  • Period: May 10, 1330 to May 10, 1395

    St. Gregory of Nyssa

    Brother of Basil. Greatest speculative and systematic theologian. Ordained priest and bishop by his brother Basil. Theology influencial in the 2nd council of nicaea (680-681). Goal to see God and make ourselves like him. He is the Thinker. Basil is Doer. Gregory of Nizanizus is the dreamer.
  • Period: May 10, 1340 to May 10, 1397

    St. Ambrose of Milan.

    Died on Holy Saturday. Brought Origin's method of studying scripture to the western church. Teaching began with scripture. Pushes Augustine to conversion. First to encourage congregational hymns in church.
  • May 10, 1381

    Council of Constantinople

    Confirms dicisions of Nicaea
  • May 10, 1382

    St. Jerome revises Latin Gospels