Curated timeline

History of Christianity

Follow the growth of the world's largest religion from a Jewish sect in Judea to the official faith of Rome and a global force. Covers the Apostles, the Reformation, and modern movements.

• Birth of Christ (c. 4-6 BCE)

  The incarnation and beginning of Christianity according to Christian belief.

• Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (c. 30-33 CE)

  Central events of Christian salvation theology - Jesus's death and resurrection.

• Pentecost (c. 33 CE)

  Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, considered the birth of the Christian Church.

• Conversion of Paul (c. 33-36 CE)

  Saul of Tarsus becomes Paul the Apostle on the road to Damascus, transforming Christianity's greatest missionary.

• Council of Jerusalem (c. 50 CE)

  Apostolic decision to welcome Gentile converts without requiring circumcision, opening Christianity to non-Jews.

• Destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE)

  Roman destruction of Jerusalem's Temple marks Christianity's final separation from Judaism.

• Death of the Last Apostle (c. 100 CE)

  Traditional death of John the Apostle ends the Apostolic Age and begins the post-apostolic period.

• Formation of New Testament Canon (c. 140-200 CE)

  Gradual recognition and collection of Christian scriptures that would become the New Testament.

• Persecution under Diocletian (303-311 CE)

  The Great Persecution - last and most severe systematic persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

• Constantine's Vision at Milvian Bridge (October 28, 312 CE)

  Constantine's vision of the Chi-Rho symbol and victory under the sign of the cross.

• Edict of Milan (313 CE)

  Constantine and Licinius legalize Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

• First Council of Nicaea (325 CE)

  First ecumenical council condemns Arianism and establishes the Nicene Creed.

• Founding of Constantinople (May 11, 330 CE)

  Constantine establishes the new Christian capital of the Roman Empire.

• Christianity Becomes State Religion (380 CE)

  Theodosius I's Edict of Thessalonica makes Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

• Writings of Augustine (c. 386-430 CE)

  Augustine of Hippo's theological works including 'Confessions' and 'City of God' shape Western Christianity.

• Council of Ephesus (431 CE)

  Third ecumenical council affirms Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer) and condemns Nestorianism.

• Council of Chalcedon (451 CE)

  Fourth ecumenical council defines Christ's divine and human natures in one person.

• Fall of Western Roman Empire (476 CE)

  End of the Western Roman Empire increases the political power and influence of the Church.

• Rule of St. Benedict (c. 530 CE)

  Benedict of Nursia establishes monastic rule that becomes foundation of Western monasticism.

• Augustine's Mission to England (597 CE)

  Pope Gregory the Great sends Augustine to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons.

• Rise of Islam (622-632 CE)

  Muhammad's Hijra and early Islamic expansion pose new challenges to Christian dominance.

• Iconoclastic Controversy Begins (726 CE)

  Byzantine Emperor Leo III bans religious images, sparking theological and political conflict.

• Coronation of Charlemagne (December 25, 800)

  Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, reviving the Western Christian Empire.

• End of Iconoclastic Controversy (843 CE)

  Empress Theodora restores icon veneration, celebrated as the 'Triumph of Orthodoxy'.

• Great Schism (1054 CE)

  Permanent split between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches over papal authority and theological disputes.

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