Events 1-25

Fire ravages Rome. Emperor Nero blames Christians and unleashes persecution.


about 150

about 156

Irenaeus becomes bishop of Lyons and combats developing heresies within the Church.

about 196
Colorful and cantankerous Tertullian begins writings that earn him the reputation of being the "Father of Latin Theology."

about 205
The gifted North African Origen begins writing. He headed a noted catechetical school in Alexandria.

Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, publishes his influential work Unity of the Church. He was martyred in 258.

Antony gives away his possessions and begins life as a hermit, a key event in the development of Christian monasticism.



Athanasius' Easter Letter recognizes the New Testament Canon, listing the same books we have now.



John Chrysostom, the "golden tongued" preacher is made bishop of Constantinople and leads from there amidst continuing controversies.

Jerome completes the Latin "Vulgate" version of the bible that becomes the standard for the next one thousand years.

Patrick goes as a missionary to Ireland--taken there as a teenager as a slave. He returns and leads multitudes of Irish people to the Christian faith.


Benedict of Nursia establishes his monastic order. His "rule" becomes the most influential for centuries of monasticism in the West.

Columba goes as a missionary to Scotland. He establishes the legendary monastic mission center at Iona.

Gregory becomes Pope Gregory I, known as "the Great." His leadership significantly advances the development of the papacy and has enormous influence on Europe.


Boniface, the "Apostle of Germany," sets out as a missionary to bring the gospel to pagan lands.

The "Venerable" Bede completes his careful and influential Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation.


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