An Orthodox Time Line of Church History

Here is, below, an Orthodox perspective of Church history. What do you think?

(Click to enlarge.)

33 Pentecost (A.D: 29 is thought to be more accurate).

49 Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15) establishes precedent for addressing Church disputes in Council. James presides as bishop.

69 Bishop Ignatius consecrated in Antioch in heart of New Testament era–St. Peter had been the first bishop there. Other early bishops include James, Polycarp, and Clement.
95 Book of Revelation written, probably the last of the New Testament books.
150 St. Justin Martyr describe’s the liturgical worship of the Church, centered in the Eucharist. Liturgical worship is rooted in both the Old and New Testament.
325 The Nicene Creed is established. The Council of Nicea settles the major heretical challenge to the Christian faith when the heretic Arius asserts Christ was created by the Father. St. Athanasius defends the eternality of the Son of God. The Arians continue their assault on true Christianity for years. Nicea is the first of Seven Ecumenical (Church-wide) Councils.
451 Council of Chalcedon affirms apostolic doctrine of two natures in Christ.
589 In a synod in Toledo, Spain, the filioque, asserting that the Holy Spirit procedes from the Father and the Son is added to the Nicene Creed. This error is later adopted by Rome.
787 The era of Ecumenical Councils ends at Nicea, with the Seventh Council bringing the centuries-old use of icons back into the Church.
988 Conversion of Russia begins.
We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendour or beauty anywhere upon earth. We cannot describe it to you: only this we know, that God dwells there among men, and that their service surpasses the worship of all other places. For we cannot forget that beauty. – Envoys of the Russian Prince Vladimir, after experiencing the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople in the year 987.
1054 The Great Schism occurs. Two major issues include Rome’s claim to a universal papal supremacy and her addition of the filioque clause to the Nicene Creed. The Photian schism (880) further complicated the debate.
1095 The Crusades begun by the Roman Church. The Sack of Constantinople by Rome (1204) adds to the estrangement between East and West.
1333 St. Gregory Palamas defends the Orthodox practice of hesychast spirituality and the use of the Jesus prayer.
1453 Turks overrun Constantinople; Byzantine Empire ends.
1517 Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the door of the Roman Church in Wittenberg, starting the Protestant Reformation. 1529 Church of England begins pulling away from Rome.
1794 Missionaries arrive on Kodiak Island in Alaska; Orthodoxy introduced to North America.
1854 Rome establishes the Immaculate Conception dogma.
1870 Papal Infallibility becomes Roman dogma.
1988 One thousand years of Orthodoxy in Russia, as Orthodox Church world-wide maintains fulness of the Apostolic faith.

Source: HERE.

Author: DanutM

Anglican theologian. Former Director for Faith and Development Middle East and Eastern Europe Region of World Vision International

6 thoughts on “An Orthodox Time Line of Church History”

  1. “probably the last of the New Testament books” … well … the concept of a New Testament as we know we today (meaning the 27 books) did not exist until the middle of 4th century, and only became part of the official Church canon at the end of the 5th century (local syods in Carthage and Hippo, 493 and 498 I believe)

    There were other CHristian writings (even from the 1st century) like Clements letter to the Corinthians, or the Didache who date from the late 90s that WERE USED in church worship and reading. THere are other books … Shepards of Hermas, Letters of Iraneous, Ignatius from first half of 2nd century that were even considered inspired … and at worse … great spiritual readings.

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  2. Ce inseamna “preteristi” ? Cine sunt ei, ce cred ? (sorry, I left Romania when I was 14 … am ramas cu numai 7 clase de vocabular roman 🙂 )

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  3. schisma fotiana nu e cumva o etiketare catolica? neintelegerea nu a fost generata de patriarh, ci de detronarea lui accacie si intronarea lui. schisma as such a fost proclamata in vest fata de est nu invers. la fel ca si anatemizarea lui humbert. mai este o alta varianta?

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