Age of Church Fathers Timeline

1. Rule of Constantine 306-337 PD

-Supported christianity and converted Rome to Christianity

-Supported building Christian churches

-Clergy was exempt from paying

-Christian property that was confescated was returned

1. Rule of Constantine 306-337 PD

2. Battle of milivian bridge 312 AD

- Constantine defeats Maxentius at milivian bridge and becomes emperor in west

-Dream before the battle

-Chi-Rho painted on his soldiers shields

2. Battle of milivian bridge 312 AD

3. Edict of melon -313 AD

-Proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire

-signed by Constantine

3. Edict of melon -313 AD

4. Council of Nicaea -325 AD

-Addressed the issue that claimed Jesus is not fully divine (Arianism)

-consisted of 300 bishops

- led to Nicene Creed

4. Council of Nicaea -325 AD

5. Council of Constantinople 381 AD

-Addressed the issue that defined that the Holy Spirit had a divine nature (Macedonionsm)

-Macedonionsm said that the Holy Spirit was a creation of the son and a servant of the father and son

-Council taught the divinity of the Holy Spirit

5. Council of Constantinople 381 AD

6. Council of Ephesus 431 AD

- Convened by roman emperor Theodosius the second

-Discussed the issue of Nestorianism

-3rd ecumenical council

-led by Cyril of Alexandria

6. Council of Ephesus 431 AD

8. Life of Augustine born 354 AD

-Known as Saint Augustine

-grew up with a christian mother

- Not interested in religion as a child

-Augustine later became attracted to Manichaeism because of the feeling of dualism

8. Life of Augustine born 354AD

11. “Fall” of the Roman Empire in the west 476 AD

- Influx in barbarian tribes led to the fall of the Roman Empire

- The empire was divided into 2, one capital in Rome, the other in Constantinople

- The spread of christianity led to the fall of the western Roman Empire

- There were many distinctions between the east and the west

11. “Fall” of the Roman Empire in the west 476 AD

7. Council of Chalcedon 451

7. Council of Chalcedon - 451 AD

-4th ecumenical council

-Called by Roman Emperor Marcian

- Approved by Nicaro and Constantinople

- It was attended by about 520 bishops or their representatives and was the largest and best-documented of the early councils.

10. Sack of Rome 410 AD

- Major event in the fall of the western Roman Empire

- Visigoths, led by Alaric sacked Rome

- Alaric wanted land where his people could settle and an accepted place in the empire

10. Sack of Rome 410 AD

9. Life of Jerome 347-420 AD

- Well educated

- Became a priest and began transcribing writings of the early church

- Responded for the “vulgate” which is the latin version os the Bible

9. Life of Jerome 347-420 AD

Open Repsonse

Open Response

The fall of the Roman Empire in the west had the most significant impact on the development of the Church. As power gradually begins to shift to the East, Diocletian divides the empire in half and the city is renamed to Constantinople. Different trajectories contribute to an eventual split in the Church between East & West. The Roman empire in the west "falls" several times through 410 - 476, which allows the eastern half to continue to grow in power and influence. Due to the fall in the empire, Roman administrations fall as well, causing the people's basic needs to no longer be met. This impacted the development of the Church because the Church was the only stable, widespread, well-respected institution; therefore, the Church began to step in to provide governance and protection to the people through Charitable efforts, schools for clergy, and laity.