![[Under Construction]](../images/undercon.gif){kind=small}
CHRISTIAN BASICS (Catholic perspective)
Historical Overview: All Christians have their roots in the first century of the Common Era and are intrinsically tied to the development of world history. From the public ministry of Jesus to the legendary battles of the Crusades, examine the interwoven histories of the Orthodox (Eastern Church) and Roman Catholic (Western Church) branches of Christianity. Through the centuries, the practices, customs and traditions of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians have diverged radically. Only recently have these two branches of Christianity made overtures to heal the rift between them that has lasted into the 20th Century. Today, there are over one billion people throughout the world who follow the teachings of Orthodox or Roman Catholic Christianity.
Time Line:
30 C.E.—The death of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and his Resurrection;
these events date the beginning of Christianity.
49 C.E.—The Council of Jerusalem, the first Church Council, determines
that converted gentiles do not have to practice Judaism in order to be
Christian.
70 C.E.—The Romans destroy the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, which marks a shift in the religious focus of Christianity elsewhere.
135 C.E.—Jews are banned from Jerusalem, thereby initiating the concept of a "New Israel," with Christians believing they are to replace the Jews as God’s chosen people.
312 C.E.—Constantine becomes a Christian
324 C.E.—Constantine becomes the sole emperor of the Roman Empire.
Christianity becomes the empire’s religion. The fatal combination of religion
and the state being one. He also founds Constantinople.
325 C.E.—The first great Ecumenical Council held by Roman Catholics at
Nicea. This council settles questions on the nature of the Trinity.
364 C.E.—The formal split of the Roman Empire into two parts by Constantine. This division eventually leads to a split in Christianity due to lack of communication. The eastern portion becomes the Orthodox Catholic Church and the western part becomes the Roman Catholic Church.