Church History Timeline

Early Christian Era:

• 64: Fire of Rome: Great Fire that burned much of Rome, blamed on Christians.
• 70: Climax of the Jewish war: Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
• 100-165: Years of Justin Martyr: Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist.
• 160: Martyrdom of Irenaeus: Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon, martyred for his faith.
• 160-225: Marcion’s Heretical Old Testament Interpretation: Marcion, a heretic who rejected the Old Testament.
• 185-254: Years of Julian of Cappadocia: Julian, Bishop of Cappadocia, involved in theological controversies.
• 190: Origin as a scholar: Reference to the early life of the theologian Origen.
• 250-251: Moratorium fragment: A fragment discussing the canon of the New Testament.

4th Century:

• 303: Great Persecution begins: Period of intense persecution against Christians.
• 296-373: Athanasius of Alexandria: Athanasius, a prominent bishop and theologian.
• 310-390: Apollinarius denies Christ’s humanity: Apollinarius, a theologian who denied full humanity in Christ.
• October 312: Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine becomes Emperor: Constantine’s victory leading to his conversion and support for Christianity.
• 313: Edict of Milan ends persecution: Legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.
• 324-325: First Council of Nicaea: Council addressing Arianism and formulating the Nicene Creed.

Cappadocian Fathers and Beyond:

• 330-400: Cappadocian Fathers (Gregory Nazianzen, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa): Influential theologians.
• 337-361: Constantius II as Emperor: Reign of Emperor with Arian sympathies.
• 361-363: Reign of Julian the Apostate: Emperor who attempted to revive pagan traditions.
• 354-430: Life of Augustine of Hippo: Augustine, influential theologian and philosopher.
• 376-444: Cyril of Alexandria: Cyril, influential bishop in Christological controversies.

5th Century:

• 377: Council of Rome condemns Apollinarius: Ecumenical council addressing Christological heresy.
• 381: First Council of Constantinople: Council addressing theological controversies.
• 386-451: Nestorius and the Council of Ephesus: Christological controversies and council.
• 451-455: Council of Chalcedon: Council defining the nature of Christ.

Fall of Rome and Early Middle Ages:

• 476: Fall of the Western Roman Empire: End of the Western Roman Empire.
• 480-550: Life of Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order: Benedict, founder of a monastic order.

Medieval Period:

• 527-565: Reign of Emperor Justinian I: Emperor known for legal reforms.
• 570-632: Life of Prophet Muhammad: Life of the Islamic prophet.
• 589: Toledo Council adds the Filioque clause: Theological controversy regarding the Holy Spirit.
• 711: Islamic conquest of Spain: Muslim expansion into the Iberian Peninsula.
• 732: Charles Martel halts Muslim invasion at the Battle of Tours: Significant battle in European history.
• 800: Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor: Establishment of the Holy Roman Empire.
• 1054: Great Schism between East and West: Split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
• 1096-1291: Crusades: Series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims.
• 1215: Fourth Lateran Council: Important council addressing various issues.
• 1347-1351: Black Death: Devastating pandemic with widespread social and economic impacts.
• 1378-1417: Western Schism: Period of multiple claimants to the papacy.
• 1453: Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman Turks capture the Byzantine capital.

Reformation and Counter-Reformation:

• 1517: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: Catalyst for the Protestant Reformation.
• 1534: Establishment of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): Founding of the Jesuit order.
• 1545-1563: Council of Trent: Key council addressing issues raised by the Protestant Reformation.
• 1618-1648: Thirty Years’ War: Widespread conflict involving Catholic and Protestant states.
• 1642-1651: English Civil War: Conflict with religious and political dimensions.
• 1685: Edict of Fontainebleau revokes the Edict of Nantes: Religious persecution of Huguenots in France.

Enlightenment and Modern Era:

• 1776: American Declaration of Independence: Founding document of the United States.
• 1789: French Revolution begins: Radical political and social changes in France.
• 1870: Papal States annexed to Italy: End of the Papal States.
• 1870: Vatican I declares papal infallibility: Dogma defining the pope’s infallibility in certain matters.
• 1917: Fatima apparitions: Marian apparitions reported by three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal.
• 1962-1965: Second Vatican Council (Vatican II): Ecumenical council addressing reforms in the Catholic Church.

Contemporary Period:

• 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall: Symbolic event marking the end of the Cold War.
• 2005: Death of Pope John Paul II: Long-serving pope’s death and succession by Pope Benedict XVI.
• 2013: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, election of Pope Francis: Unusual resignation and election of a new pope.
• 2020: COVID-19 pandemic: Global health crisis with significant societal impacts.