Church History
From Pentecost to the present — key events that shaped the Catholic Church.
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles. Birth of the Church.
Neronian Persecution
Emperor Nero persecutes Christians; martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Edict of Milan
Emperor Constantine legalizes Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
Council of Nicaea
First Ecumenical Council; Nicene Creed formulated; Arianism condemned.
Council of Constantinople I
Nicene Creed expanded; divinity of the Holy Spirit affirmed.
Council of Ephesus
Mary declared Theotokos (Mother of God); Nestorianism condemned.
Council of Chalcedon
Two natures of Christ defined; Monophysitism condemned.
Fall of Rome
Western Roman Empire falls; Church becomes key institution of stability.
St. Benedict
St. Benedict writes his Rule; foundation of Western monasticism.
Charlemagne Crowned
Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne Emperor; Holy Roman Empire begins.
Great Schism
East-West Schism; Eastern Orthodox Churches separate from Rome.
First Crusade
Pope Urban II calls the First Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land.
Fourth Lateran Council
Transubstantiation defined; annual confession required.
Western Schism
Multiple claimants to papacy; crisis resolved at Council of Constance (1417).
Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther posts 95 Theses; beginning of Protestant movement.
Council of Trent
Counter-Reformation council; Catholic doctrine clarified and reforms enacted.
Vatican I
Papal infallibility defined; interrupted by Italian unification.
Fatima Apparitions
Our Lady appears to three children in Portugal with prophetic messages.
Vatican II Opens
Pope John XXIII convenes the Second Vatican Council for Church renewal.
Pope John Paul II
Cardinal Wojtyla elected; first non-Italian pope in 455 years.
Pope Francis
Cardinal Bergoglio elected; first pope from the Americas.