TIMELINE OF THE CHURCH

^ Biblical Milestone

Click 264 Photos of mosaic portraits of Bishops of Rome

here (St Paul’s Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy)

Apostolic Fathers of the Church (clickable links in the timeline)

Post-Apostolic Fathers of the Church (clickable link in the timeline)

30 AD
Doctors of the Church (clickable link in the timeline)

List of Early Bishops of Rome/Popes

to the
Earliest History of the Church

Earliest Canon of the Bible

Present
Monasticism

Vulgate translation of the Bible

Robert J. Schihl, Ph.D.
Dedicated to my son, Joel Robert Schihl, 1975-2006.

*
Condemnation of a heresy by a Council
© 2006 Robert J. Schihl
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon (of Jesus and Evangelists; 300 of 350 OT quotes) OT Canon (similar to Trent’s) 45/46 books
Orthodox Jewish Rabbis at Jamnia cir 200 AD; ^ 22/24 books

Augustus Nero Domitian

^ Trajan
Jamnia; Unfixed OT canon Fixed OT canon
Marcus Aurelius
^
14 54 68 81 96 98 117 161 180 193
Clement Irenaeus
? Rome 97 130 Lyons 200
Justin Martyr
100 Rome 165
Hermas Origin
? Rome 140 184
Papias Tertullian
? Hierapolis 120 160
Ignatius Clement
JESUS CHRIST 69 Antioch 107 150 Alexandria
Polycarp
6 BC 30
69 Smyrna 155
Didache Hippolytus
Paul of Tarsus 70 Syria 110 170
Melito
Rome 67
Barnabas ? ^
170 Sardis 190
Jerusalem 130 List of Septuagint
?
canon of 45/46 books
Alexander I
Clement I Telesphorus Pius I Soter Victor I
Peter bar Jona Linus Anacletus Evaristus Sixtus I Hygenus Anicetus Eleutherius
42 Rome 67 79 92 101 105 115 125 136 140 155 166 175 189 199

1 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

COUNCIL + Destruction of Jerusalem ASIATIC COUNCIL
OF JERUSALEM Earliest known Council
80s 200+
+ Pentecost 60s 90s
+ Luke written Apostles Creed
+ Mark written + John written
80s 125
50
+ Matthew written
+ Paul’s
+ Excommunication of
1 Thessalonians
Christians from Jewish
written
Synagogues
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (45/46 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon (39 books) (Books originally written in Hebrew) ^
^Septimius
Fixed OT canon
Severus
Decius
Maximinius Valerian Aurelian Diocletian Constantine Augustine
Fixed NT canon
386
354 Conversion
211 235 238 249 251 260 270 275 264 305 337 Patrick
Gregory Thaumaturgus 253 Hilary + Edict of Milan
387
213 Neo-Caesarea 270 291 Poitiers 371
Cyprian Ambrose
200 Carthage 258 Ephraen 340 Tier 397
Origin 306 Basil Syria 373
Alexandria 254 329 Caesarea Mazaca 379
Tertullian Lactantius Gregory
Rome 220 Italy 320 329 Nazianzus 389
Clement Gregory
Alexandria 215 335 Nyssa 394
Cyril
315 Jerusalem 387
Hippolytus Athanasius Cyril
Rome 235 293 Alexandria 373 376
Eusebius Jerome Latin Vulgate
260 Caesarea 339 345
John Chrysostom
Sixtus II 349 Antioch
Stephen I Milteades
Dionysius Theodore
Fabian Eusebius
Callistus I Pontian Cornelius Eutychian Marcellinus Sylvester I 350 Anastasius I
Zephyrinus Urban I Anterius Lucius I Felix I Caius Marcellus I Marcus Julius I Liberius Siricius
217 230 236 253 257-8 269 283 296 308 311 335 352 356 383 399
222 235 250 254 260 268 274 304 309 314 336

200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400

325 381
Manichaeism COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
Mani
NICEA CONSTANTINOPLE I
215 Persia 277
Arius Council of Rome 382
Council of Hippo 393
256 Subordinationism Arianism Lybia 336

*
Council of Carthage 397
Sabellianism/Patripassians
Apollinarius Apollinarianism
Modalism
Adoptionism
310
Photinianism
Laodicea 380
Pelagius
354
*
Pelagianism

Vandals accept Arian Christianity

 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (45/46 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (39 books)

+ Bishop Vandals in North Africa

Hippo 430 Augustine
? Canterbury
Ireland 493
Benedict
Numidia 430 480 Monte Casino 550
Peter Chrysologus Theodora
406 Ravenna 450
500 Byzantine Empress 548
Attila the Hun attacks Italy
Vandals overrun Gaul + besieges Paris
+ disappears Isidore
Leo the Great 440
400 Rome 461
Gregory the Great
Alexandria 254
440 Rome
Stridon 419 Vandals sack Rome
Vigilius
407 Silverius
Anastasius I Sixtus III Anastasius II John I John II Pelagius I
Zosimus Celestine Hilarius Gelasius I Hormisdas Bonaface II Benedict I Gregory I
Innocent I Bonaface I Leo I Simplicius Felix III Symmachus Felix IV Agapetus I John III Pelagius II
401 417 422 432 461 468 483 492 498 514 523 530 535 555 561 574 590 604
418 440 496 526 532 536-7 579

400 425 450 475 500 525 550 575 600

431 451 553
COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
+ Visigoth EPHESUS CHALCEDON + End of the CONSTANTINOPLE II
Sack of Rome + Hippo Besieged Western Roman Empire Bubonic plague
Nestorius Nestorianism
?
Plagianism
Britain 418
* 451 Monophysitism

*
Eutychianism
Mohammed
Vandals defeated +
570
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)
+ Translation of parts of the Bible
into English (Caedmon, Aldhein)
+ Conversion of England
609
+ 597-604
First Archbishop of Canterbury

Vikings invade Ireland Charlemagne

742 774
Bede the Venerable Donation of
673 England 735 Territory to
John Damascene Pope
? Damascus 749 Restores
Seville 636 Image
Worship
794
604 Condemns
Image
Sisinnius Worship
John VI
Deusdedit Theodore I Adeodatus (II) Conon
Bonaface IV Severinus Benedict II John VII
Bonaface III Honorius I Martin I Vitalian Agatho John V Constantine Gregory III Stephen II Stephen III Leo III
Sabinian Bonaface V John IV Eugene I Donus Leo II Gregory II Zachary Paul I Adrian I
604 607 615 625 638 642 655 676 681 685 687 705 708 -15 731 741 751 757 767 772 795
606 608 618 640 649 657 672 678 682-3 686 701 707

600 625 650 675 700 725 750 775 800

680 787
+ COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
Lateran Synod CONSTANTINOPLE III NICEA II
Condemns Monothelitism
Monothelitism Iconoclasm
+
First use of
episcopal rings
* 726
*
Mohammedanism / Islam
d. 610 632
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)

+ 996
909 Benedictine Abbey of Cluny Civil war
founded; center of reform at Rome
Actus Hludovicianum
confirms papal territory
817
+ Rome increases; Constantinople declines
814
800 Photian Schism
Crowned first Break in communion
Holy Roman Emperor between Nicholas I and
Photias of Constantinople
800
863-67
Leo separates from
eastern empire;
becomes supreme
Leo V
Bishop of West
Benedict IV
Theodore II
Romanus Benedict VI
Valentine Bonaface VI Marinus II Benedict V
Eugene II Benedict III Adrian III Stephen VI Lando Stephen VIIStephen VIII Leo VIII John XV
Paschal I Sergius II Nicholas I John VIII Stephen V John IX Anastasius IIILeo VI Leo VII John XII Benedict VIIGregory V
Leo III Stephen V Gregory IV Leo IV Adrian II Marinus IFormosus Sergius III John X John XI Agapitus II John XIII John XIV
816 824 844 855 867 872 882 885 891 897 900 911 914 928 931 939 946 955 963 972 983 996
817 827 847 858 884 896 898 903 913 929 935 942 964 974 984 999

800 825 850 875 900 925 950 975 1000

870
COUNCIL OF 993
CONSTANTINOPLE IV First
canonization
Iconoclasm Icons restored
879 of saints
832
Pope and Patriarch
Persecution
excommunicate each other 904 988
of image
Pornacracy of the Papacy Russia
worshipers
begins with Sergius Converted
Mohammedanism / Islam
846 Muslims invade Italy and Rome 902 Muslims control Sicily
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)

Francis
Peter Abelard 1181
1054 1079 France 1042
Pope John XIX Separation between
Bernard Anthony
Crowns Conrad II Roman and Eastern
churches becomes 1090 Clairvaux 1153 1195
Holy Roman Emperor
permanent Peter Lombard
1027 Dominic
Anselm 1095 Italy 1159 1190
+
1033 Beginning of Scholasticism Canterbury 1109
Peter Damien Hugh of St Victor

1007 1072 1096 France 1142

1170
Rules for the
canonization
Benedict IX of saints
Clement II
Benedict VIII Gregory VI Nicholas II Anastasius IV Celestine III
Sergius IV Benedict IX Stephen IX Eugene III Clement III
John XVIII Sylvester III Victor II Callistus II Lucius II Gregory VIII
John XVII Benedict IX Leo IX Gregory VII Urban II Gelasius II Innocent II Alexander III Urban III
Sylvester II John XIX Damasus II Alexander II Victor III Paschal II Honorius II Celestine II Adrian IV Lucius III
1003 1009 1024 1032 1045 1054 1061 1073 1085 1099 1118 1124 1130 1143 1153 1159 1181 1187 1198
1012 1046-7-8-91057-8 1086-7 1144-5 1154 1185 1191

1000 1025 1050 1075 1100 1125 1150 1175 1200

1123 1139 1179
1052 COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
Berenger of Tours LATERAN I LATERAN II LATERAN III
denies Transubstantiation
1074 Bogomils / Albigensians / Cathars 1176
Excommunication of 1095-99 Albigensian
married priests Pope Urban calls Council
1009 First Crusade 1145- 1153 1189- 1193
Muslims sack the + conquers Nicaea Second Crusade Third Crusade
Holy Sepulcher in +defeats Turks at Antioch + failure
Jerusalem + takes Jerusalem
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)
Wycliffe English Bible + 1382-84

Duns Scotus
Assisi 1225
Bonaventure 1266 Scotland 1308
Catherine
1217 Italy 1274
1347 Sienna 1380
Padua 1231 Julian of Norwich
Dante Alighieri
1342
1265 Italy 1321
Spain 1221 William of Ockham
Thomas Aquinas 1380
1280 1349
1225 Italy 1274
Francesco Petrarch 1380
Albert the Great 1304 Italy 1374 1380
Ratisson 1280
1233 1252 John Wycliffe
Pope entrusts Inquisition
Meister Eckhart 1327 1384
the Inquisition begins to
to the Dominicans use torture 1260 Martin IV 1327 Jan Hus
Nicholas III
1369
John XXI Clement V
Clement IV Adrian V Bonaface VIII Bonaface IX
Honorius III Innocent IV Urban IV Innocent V Nicholas IV Benedict XI John XXII Innocent VI Gregory XI
Innocent III Celestine IV Alexander IV Gregory X Honorious IV Celestine V Benedict XII Clement VI Urban V Urban VI
1216 1227 1241 1254 1261 1268 1276-71281-5 1292 1303-4 1314 1334 1342 1352 1362 1370 1378 1389
1243 1264 1271 1280 1287-8 1294 1305 1316 Avignon Papacy
1305 1376
1200 1225 1250 1275 1300 1325 1350 1375 1400
1215 1245 1274 1311
COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF 1348-
LATERAN IV LYON I LYON II VIENNE 1349 The Great Schism
1378 Two Popes
Bogomils / Albigensians / Cathars 1302 The Black Death Clement VII

Fourth
*
1202-04 1217-21 1228-29
Fifth Sixth
1248
Seventh
“Unam Sanctam”
Universal jurisdiction;
spiritual over secular
Benedict XIII

Crusade Crusade Crusade Crusade

1212 1244 1291
Children’s Crusade Jerusalem lost to Muslims Holy Land falls out of Western control
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon 1456 OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)

^ Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books) + NT (27 books)

Luther opts for Palestinian OT canon
Palestinian Canon) OT Canon (34 books)
^
Tyndale Bible 1525-31 + + Cloverdale Bible 1535 + 1582-
1536 Francis De Sales
Erasmus
1567
Johann Gutenberg 1465 Thomas Moore Lawrence
1468 1478 England 1535 1559
John Fisher Robert Bellarmine
1460 England 1536 1542
1416 Peter Canisius
Thomas a’ Kempis
1521 1597
1471 Theresa
Bernadine of Sienna
1515 Avila 1582
1444 Johann Tetzel John of the Cross
John Capistrano
1465 Germany 1519 1542 Spain 1591
1456 Philip Neri
1515 1595
Ignatius Loyola Galileo Galilei
Joan of Arc 1491 Jesuits begin + Spain 1556 1564
1412 France 1431 Martin Luther Johann Kepler
1483 Henry VIII Germany 1545 1571 Innocent IX
1415
1491 1547 Pius IV Gregory XIV
Paul II Julius II Paul IV Urban VII
Gregory XII Nicholas V Pius II Innocent VIII Pius III Adrian VI Paul III Marcellus II Gregory XIII
Innocent VII Martin V Eugene IV Callistus III Sextus IV Alexander VI Leo X Clement VII Julius III Pius V Sixtus V
1404 1415 1431 1447 1455 1464 1471 1484 1492 1503 1513 1521 1534 1549 1555 1565 1572 1585 1592
1406 1417 1458 1522-3 1550 1559 1590-1
Counter Reformation
1400 1425 1450 1475 1500 1525 1550 1575 1600
1414 1238 Renaissance 1512 1545
COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
CONSTANCE FLORENCE LATERAN V TRENT
1417 1517 Luther breaks from Rome
Alexander V
John XXIII
Benedict XIII Papacy over +
+

1509-64
+ John Knox
*
John Calvin 1520 Calvin Reformed breaks from Lutheran
1560 Presbyterian Church
Conciliarism Conciliarism Huldrich Zwingli
1513-72 1534 Anglican Church breaks from Rome
1484-1531
Pavia- Basel Christopher Columbus
Siena 1431-1449 1525 Anabaptists break from Reformed
1423 1451 1505
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
^
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books) NT Canon (27 books)
^ Canon)
Palestinian OT Canon (34 books) ^
+ 1582-1609 Douay-Rheims Bible Challoner Revision 1749-63 +
+1611 King James Bible
Italy 1622

Brindisi 1619 Alphonsus Liguori

Naples 1797
Capua 1621

Thirty Years’ War

1618 1648

The French Revolution

Italy 1642 +

Germany 1630

Clement VIII Clement X Innocent XII Clement XII

Paul V Urban VIII Alexander VII Innocent XI Innocent XIII Clement XIII
Leo XI Gregory XV Innocent X Clement IX Alexander VIII Clement XI Benedict XIII Benedict XIV Clement XIV Pius VI
1605 1621 1644 1655 1667 1676 1689 1700 1721 1730 1740 1758 1769 1799
1623 1669 1691 1724 1774 1800

1600 1625 1650 1675 1700 1725 1750 1775 1800

+ John Wesley 1703-1791 1787 Methodism
1612 Baptist Church breaks from Anglican Church
Lutheranism + Charles Wesley 1707-1788
Calvin Reformed
Presbyterianism
Anglicanism Episcopal Church 1785
Anabaptists
Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books) ^ ^ ^
NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)
Knox Bible 1944-50+ + 1966 Jerusalem Bible
New American Bible 1970 +
New International Version 1973 +
+ 1948 Dead Sea scrolls discovered
Oxford Movement
Mother Theresa
John Henry Cardinal Newman
1910 India 1997
1801 + 1806 End of the England 1890
Holy Roman Empire Theresa Charismatic
(since 800) 1873 Lisieux 1897 Movement
+ 1907 Lamentabili Sane
Condemnation of Modernism + Notre Dame
University

1767-69 1670
+ Concordat of 1801 Tiepolo Murillo
Napoleon reconciles 1854 1950
with Pius II Defined ex cathedra Defined ex cathedra
Immaculate Conception the Assumption
of Mary of Mary

Pius VIII Benedict XV Paul VI John Paul II

Pius VII Leo XII Gregory XVI Pius IX Leo XIII Pius X Pius XI Pius XIIJohn XXIII John Paul I
1805 1823 1830 1846 1878 1903 1914 1922 1939 1958 1978
1829 1963

1800 1825 1850 1875 1900 1925 1950 1975 2000

1870 1962
COUNCIL OF COUNCIL OF
Baptists VATICAN I VATICAN II
Lutheranism + 1914 Assemblies of God
Calvin Reformed + 1911 Pentecostal Holiness / Vineyard Churches + 1974
Presbyterianism + 1906 Azusa Street Revivals + 1957 United Church of Christ
Anglicanism + 1855 Revivalism begins Willow Creek Association 1992 +
Anabaptists + 1863 Seventh-Day Adventists + 1909-1912 The Fundamentals published
 Alexandrian (Septuagint) Canon OT Canon similar to Trent (39 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books) NT Canon (27 books)
Palestinian Canon OT Canon (34 books)

Benedict XVI
2005

2000 2025 2050 2075 2100 2125 2150 2175 2200

33,000+ Denominations worldwide

Lutheranism
Calvin Reformed
Presbyterianism
Anglicanism
Anabaptists
 Jerusalem (Acts 15:2)
When and where
Jerusalem, Palestine, 49 AD.

Crisis or controversy
Gentile converts must follow
Mosaic Law;
"Unless you are circumcised
according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved." Acts 15:1

Attendees
"Apostles and presbyters" Acts 15:6,
and the following notables:
Paul and Barnabas,
Peter, James (Acts 15:6-22)

Decrees and resolutions

"It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on
you any burden beyond these necessities." Acts 15:28
 Nicea I
When and where
325 AD in Nicea (Now Iznik, Turkey,
70 miles from Constantinople on
the Asiatic shore of the Bosporus)
Crisis or controversy
Christ was a pure creature; made out
of nothing; liable to fall;
the Son of God by adoption, not
God by nature: Arianism
Attendees
318 bishops;
Convened: Constantine I, Emperor;
Eusebius of Caesarea, historian;
St. Athanasius, theologian;
Ratified: Silvester I, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions
The Nicene Creed;
The Consubstantiality of the Word: homousion with the Father;
Solved how the date of Easter should be calculated.
 Constantinople I
When and where
381 AD in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey)
Crisis or controversy
The need to insist on homousion;
Demonstrate to the world that Christians of the East are not Arians;
Apollinaris was teaching that Christ was not true man.
Attendees
186 bishops;
Convened: Theodosius I, Emperor;
St. Basil the Great;
St. Gregory of Nyssa;
St. Gregory of Nazianzanus, theologians;
Ratified: Damasus, Pope The 4th century CE Church of Haghia Eirene ("Divine Peace") in Istanbul.
The site of the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople of 381AD.
Decrees and resolutions
Renewed the work of Nicaea;
Condemned the heresy of the Macedonians (the Holy Spirit
was not really God); Condemned the heresy of Apollinaris
(that Christ was not really a man).
 Ephesus
When and where
431 AD in Ephesus
Crisis or controversy
Nestorius was teaching that Mary was
not the mother of God;
Proponents of Nestorius began claiming
that Christ was actually two separate
persons, human and divine.
Attendees
250 bishops;
Convened: Theodosius II, Emperor;
St. Cyril of Alexandria;
St. John Chrysostom;
Ratified: Celestinus I, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions Basilica of St. John at Ephesus
Condemned Nestorius;
Decreed that Mary was also Theotokos, mother of God;
Declared that Christ is true God and true man, that he has two
natures (human and divine) joined in one person.
 Chalcedon
When and where
451 AD in Calcedon (ancient seaport
of Bithynia on the sea
of Marmara)
Crisis or controversy
Monophysites were teaching that Christ
had a single divine nature and
no human nature.
Attendees
600 bishops;
Convened: Marcianus, Emperor;
Ratified: Leo I, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions
Condemned Monophysitism;
Declared that Christ had two distinct
natures and was both true
God and true man; The ecumenical council, at Chalcedon,
Promulgated canons of church discipline. taught Jesus is true God and true man
(Painting by Vasili Ivanovich Surikov)
 Constantinople II

When and where

553 AD in Constantinople

Crisis or controversy
Emperor Justinian I wanted the Church Basilica of Hagia Sophia, site of the Council

to consider the orthodoxy of three Greek

theologians: Theodore of Mopsuestia,
Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and
Ebas of Edessa.

Attendees
150 bishops,
Convened:
Justinian I, Emperor;

Decrees and resolutions

Condemned the writings of theologians as having been
infestedwith Nestorianism.
 Constantinople III
When and where
680 AD in Constantinople

Crisis or controversy
Monothelism was teaching that
Christ did not possess a Basilica of Hagia Sophia, site of the Council

human will.

Attendees
174 bishops;
Convened: Emperor
Constantine IV;
Ratified: Leo II, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Condemned Monothelism;
Declared that Christ has two wills, human and divine.
 Nicaea II
When and where
787 AD in Nicea

Crisis or controversy
Iconoclasts taught that using sacred
images was idolatry.

Attendees
390 bishops;
Convened: Irene, Empress;
Ratified: Adrian I, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions Ancient Church in Nicaea

Condemned Iconoclasts;
Declared that sacred images may be honored without idolatry.
Promulgated canons of church discipline.
 Constantinople IV
When and where
870 AD in Constantinople

Crisis or controversy
Needed to decide the right
of Patriarch Photius or Basilica of Hagia Sophia, site of the Council
the restoration of Ignatius.

Attendees
102 bishops;
Convened: Basil, Emperor;
Ratified: Adrian II, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Photius was condemned
in 27 canons.
 Lateran I
When and where
1123 AD (Lateran Basilica in Rome, Italy)

Crisis or controversy
Needed to face the social and
religious problems of the day;
First ecumenical council in the West.

Attendees
300 bishops;
Convened: Callistus II, Pope;
Ratified: Callistus

Decrees and resolutions

Promulgated canons of mixed
matters.
 Lateran II
When and where
1139 AD at the Lateran Basilica

Crisis or controversy
A double papal election and
ensuing schism when two rivals
claiming to be pope divided
the church.

Attendees
1000 bishops;
Convened: Innocent II, Pope;
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Ratified: Innocent II.

Decrees and resolutions

Took measures against schism of
antipope Anacletis II;
Promulgated canons of church discipline
 Lateran III
When and where
1179 AD in the Lateran Basilica

Crisis or controversy
Reorganization had to be faced;
there was the ever-needed
pressure to reform; restraint
of abuses.

Attendees
More than 300 bishops;
Convened: Alexander III, Pope;
Ratified: Alexander III, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Decreed that papal elections required
two-thirds majority of cardinals at
the conclave;
Promulgated numerous disciplinary canons.
 Lateran IV
When and where
1215 AD in the Lateran Basilica

Crisis or controversy
Albigensian heresy: two supreme
beings, Evil and Good;
Christ did not die; all material
things must.

Attendees
412 bishops; 388 priests;
Convened: Innocent III, Pope;
Ratified: Innocent III, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Declaration of Canon Law: the law
of the Church;
Decrees against Albegensians
and Waldensians.
 Lyons I
When and where
1245 AD in Lyon (city in E. France)

Crisis or controversy
The difficult and heretical behavior
of Emperor Frederick II;
The persecution of religion.

Attendees
140 bishops; more than 300 priests;
Convened: Innocent IV, Pope;
Ratified: Innocent IV, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Excommunication and deposition
of Frederick II.
Cathedral where the Council of Lyons I was held.
 Lyons II
When and where
1274 AD in Lyons, France
Crisis or controversy
A marked decline of the detachment of the popes from the
things of the world;
Chronic restiveness of the Greeks toward Roman primacy.
Attendees
500 bishops; 570 priests;
Convened: Gregory X, Pope;
St. Thomas Aquinas,
St. Bonaventure;
Ratified: Gregory X, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions
General reformation of the morals of clergy
and bishops; St Bonaventure at the Council of Lyons
Dogmatic constitution of filioque;
Profession of faith of Greek Emperor Michael VIII.
 Vienne
When and where
1312 AD in Vienne
(city in E. France near Lyons)

Crisis or controversy
Problems with the religious order
of Knights Templars.

Attendees
122 bishops; 300 abbots;
Convened: Clemens V, Pope;
Ratified: Clemens V, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Templars were suppressed;
Canon Law enacted;
Three definition of dogmas;
Disciplinary decrees written.
 Constance
When and where
1414 – 1418 AD in Constance (city in
Germany on Swiss border)

Crisis or controversy
The Great Western Schism:
two sets of popes.

Attendees
32 Cardinals; 183 bishops; 100 abbots;
350 priests;
Convened: Segismund, Emperor;
Ratified: Martin V, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Reformation of the Church;
Material organization of religion.
 Florence
When and where
1438 AD in Florence
(city of northern Italy)

Crisis or controversy
East/West reunion;
Constantinople was being
threatened by Mohammedans.

Attendees
More than 150 bishops;
Convened: Eugene IV, Pope;
Ratified: Eugene IV, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Reunion of oriental churches.
 Lateran V
When and where
1512 – 1517 AD in the Lateran Basilica
Crisis or controversy
Needed reform in church administration;
Rise of atheistic philosophy;
Friction between bishops and orders
of friars.
Attendees
115 bishops;
Convened: Julius II, Pope;
Cajetan;
Ratified: Leo X, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions
Condemned the Averroes philosophy: the soul of man is
not immortal;
Promulgated reform decrees;
Established principles of book censorship;
Rights of bishops defined.
 Trent
When and where
1545 – 1563 AD in Trent
(in Hapsburg's Germany; now N. Italy)

Crisis or controversy
Martin Luther;
Revolt against the Pope;
Widespread heresy.

Attendees
70 - 252 bishops;
Convened: Paul III, Pope;
Ratified: Pius IV, Pope.

Decrees and resolutions

Doctrinal decrees: restatement of belief in opposition to the
new theologies;
The Catholic Reformation: the reformation of Catholic life.
 Vatican I
When and where
1870 AD in St. Peter's Basilica,
Vatican City
Crisis or controversy
A return to life of the Catholic Church:
needed a revival of religious life
General restoration and restatement
of the faith was needed;
Christian marriages and education
needed safeguarding.
Attendees
747 bishops;
Convened & Ratified : Pius IX, Pope
Decrees and resolutions
Promulgated decrees on the Catholic
Faith and on the Church;
Condemned the Rationalists and
Semirationalists;
Defined the charism of infallibility. Façade, St. Peter’ Basilica
 Vatican II
When and where
1962 – 1965 AD in St. Peter’s Basilica

Crisis or controversy
Constant need for reform and revival;
Needed translation of faith into modern era:
communication media; Blessed John XXIII; opening session
Christians and Jews; religious freedom, etc.
Attendees
2908 bishops;
Convened: John XXIII, Pope;
Ratified: Paul VI, Pope.
Decrees and resolutions
Issued 16 documents:
On Divine Revelation;
The Pastoral Constitution;
On The Church in the Modern World;
On The Church, etc. 2908 Bishops in plenary session
 Ignatius of Antioch, St.
Personal
Martyr for the faith
Disciple of John the Evangelist
Condemned to die by wild beasts in Rome
Brought from Antioch to Rome and wrote seven
letters to churches and individuals along the way
Place and dates
Antioch; d. 110
Writings
Letter to Ephesians; Letter to Magnesians;
Letter to Tralles; Letter to Philadelphians;
Letter to Smyrnans; Letter to Polycarp
of Smryna; Letter to Romans
These contain warnings against heretical doctrines; contain detailed
summaries of doctrines; and a picture of Church organization
with bishops, presbyters (elders) and deacons;
First to stress Virgin Birth and to use the term "catholic church"
To the Ephesians
 Clement I, St. (Clement of Rome)

Personal
4th Bishop of Rome

Place and dates

Rome
r. 92 - 101

Writings
I Clement or Letter to the Corinthians (c. 96):
earliest piece of literature outside the NT
historically attested;
addressed disputes in the Church at Corinth;
II Clement (a sermon)(c. 140): Clementine
authorship disputed

First Clement
 Polycarp of Symrna, St.

Personal
Received a visit and letter from Ignatius
Represented the Church of Asia Minor in
meetings with Pope Anicetus
Dating of Easter
A teacher of Irenaeus
Knew John the Evangelist and other apostles
Was a disciple of John the Evangelist
Place and dates
Symrna
69-155
Writings
Polycarp to the Philippians
Martyrdom of Polycarp (about him)

Polycarp to the Philippians

 Unknown Author of the Didache

Personal
Unknown
Place and dates
Syria
70-110?
Writings
Didache ("Teaching"):
A compendium of moral precepts,
instructions on organization
of church communities, liturgical
worship and regulation.
It contains oldest Eucharistic prayer,
directions on Baptism, fasting, prayer,
treatment of bishops, deacons,
prophets .
The Didache
 Barnabas

Personal
Surname of Joseph, a member of the early Christian
Church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36)
Companion of Paul
Did missionary work with Mark (Acts 15:39)

Place and dates

Jerusalem?
c. 130

Writings
Epistle of Barnabas
Allegorical interpretation of the
Old Testament

The Epistle of Barnabas

 Papias of Hierapolis
Personal
Contemporary of Polycarp
Knew of a collection of the "sayings of the Lord" to have been
written in Aramaic or Hebrew by Matthew
Place and dates
Phrygia
120?

Writings
Five Books of Exegeses of
the Dominical Oracles:
Quoted by Irenaeus
Witness to the existence of Jewish
Christianity

Papias
 Hermas

Personal
Little known

Place and dates

Rome
140?

Writings
Mandates
Similitudes
The Shepherd: a vivid description of
early Christianity

The Shepherd of Hermas

 Justin (Martyr), St.
Personal
Philosopher, theologian, early apologist, martyr
Convert to Christianity

Place and dates

Rome
100-165
Writings
Apologies for the Christians: erudite
of Christians against charges of atheism
and sedition;
Dialogue with Trypho the Jew: a record of
an actual discussion at Ephesus;
valuable information about 2nd century
Christian Church .
First Apology
Second Apology
Dialogue with Trypho
 Irenaeus, St.
Personal
Heard the preaching of Polycarp the disciple of
John the Evangelist
Appointed the bishop of Lyon (177)

Place and dates

Asia Minor
140?-202?

Writings
Against the Heresies: written against the
Gnostics; contributed to the knowledge
of Gnosticism

Against Heresies / Adversus Haereses, Book 1

 Clement of Alexandria
Personal
Greek theologian
Converted from paganism
Ordained a presbyter
A teacher of Origen

Place and dates

Athens
150?-215?

Writings
Hortatory Address to the Greeks: a defense
of the faith
The Tutor: instruction in manners and morals
The Miscellanies: a discussion of various points
of doctrinal theology designed to guide
the mature Christian to perfect knowledge .
 Tertullian
Personal
Converted to Christianity between 190 and 195
Became a presbyter of the Church (197)
Zealous champion of Christianity
Profoundly influences later Church fathers
Embraced and became a leader of
the Montanists (207?) a sect later declared
heretical
Place and dates
Rome
160?-220?
Writings
Apologeticus (c. 197): his most famous work; a defense of
Christians against pagan charges
On the Claims of Heretics: argues that the Church alone has
the authority to declare what is and is not orthodox Christianity
On Baptism
On Prayer: throws light on contemporary religious practices
 Origen
Personal
A student of Clement
Ordained a presbyter
The most accomplished biblical scholar
of the early Church
Father of the allegorical method of
scripture interpretation
He developed the idea of Christ as
Logos or Incarnate Word

Place and dates

Alexandria
185?-254?

Writings
Against Celsus: closely reasoned apologetic work refuting the
arguments advanced by the Celsus, the first serious critic of
Christianity
 Cyprian, St.
Personal
Convert to Christianity c. 245
Bishop of Carthage, 248
One of the most authoritative Fathers
of the Church
Involved in controversy over treatment
of those who had left the Church, and
those who were baptized by heretics:
Accepted the teaching of Rome.

Place and dates

Carthage
200-258

Writings
On Unity of the Catholic Church: exposition of the hierarchical
organization of the Church
 Athanasius, St.
Personal
Played a prominent role in the theological struggle in the
Council of Nicea (325)
Opposed Arius (256-336) who maintained that the Son was of
a different substance from that of the Father, and was merely
a creature
Formulated the "homousian doctrine" that the Son of God is the
same essence of substance of the Father
Became bishop of Alexandria (328)

Place and dates

Alexandria
293-373

Writings
Discourses Against the Arians
History of the Arians
Apology Against the Arians
On the Decrees of the Nicene Synod
 Cyril of Jerusalem
Personal
Bishop of Jerusalem in 351
Embroiled in controversy over
episcopal duties

Place and dates

Jerusalem
315?-387?

Writings
23 Treatises: addressed to catechumens and
newly baptized; some treatises are doctrinal
and present the creed of the Church;
some are concerned with ritual and present
a detailed account of Baptism, Eucharist
and chrism
 Basil, St.
Personal
Brother of Gregory of Nyssa and a friend of Gregory of Nazianzus
Patriarch of Eastern monasticism
Wrote a rule of the monastic way of life
Founded the Basilian monks (360)
Bishop of Caesarea (370).

Place and dates

Caesarea Mazaca
329?-379

Writings
Against Eunomius: written against the Arian
leader Eunomius
On the Holy Spirit: a doctrinal treatise
Moralia: an anthology of New Testament verses
Liturgy of St. Basil
 Gregory of Nazianzus, St.
Personal
Bishop of Sasima (371)
Took charge of the Nicene congregation of Constantinople
where he delivered five discourses on the Trinity that earned
him fame as "The Theologian"

Place and dates

Nazianzus in Capadocia, now Turkey
329?-389

Writings
Philokalia (Love of the Beautiful):
an anthology of the writings of Origen
 Gregory of Nyssa, St.
Personal
Bishop of Milan (374)
Fame is chiefly as a theologian

Place and dates

Neocaesarea, now in Turkey
335?-394

Writings
Against Eunomius: a defense of the
Nicene Creed
Great Catechetical Discourse: a defense
of the Christian faith against Jews and
pagans
On Faith: a treatise against the Arians
Ten Syllogisms: directed against
the Apollinarists
 Ambrose, St.
Personal
Bishop of Milan (374)
Defended the churches of Milan against Arianism
Friend of Monica, mother of Augustine, and finally brought
Augustine into the Church

Place and dates

Tier, now in W. Germany
340?-397

Writings
On Faith: a Christian morals manual
On the Sacraments: an exegetical treatise
On the Holy Spirit: an exegetical treatise
Composed many hymns
 Jerome, St.
Personal
Biblical scholar
Ordained a priest in 386
Secretary to Pope Damasus I in 382
Confronted many heresies,
especially Pelagianism

Place and dates

Stridon, present day Yugoslavia
345?-419

Writings
The Vulgate: translated the Bible from
Hebrew and Greek into Latin, 383-384,
in Rome
 John Chrysostom, St.
Personal
Ordained a priest in 386
Greatest orator of the early Church
Patriarch of Constantinople in 398

Place and dates

Antioch, Syria
349?-407

Writings
On the Priesthood
Homilies
Wrote commentaries, epistles, treatises,
and liturgies
 Augustine, St.
Personal
Son of Monica (332?-387)
Born a pagan
Converted in 387 and baptized by Ambrose
Ordained a priest in 391
Bishop of Hippo (395)
Combated Manichean heresy (conflict of Good and Evil)
Martin Luther and John Calvin were students of the works of Augustine
Place and dates
Numidia, now Algeria
354-430
Writings
Confessions (c. 400): his autobiography
The City of God (413-426): Retractions (428);
Epistles (386-429), On Free Will (388-395)
On Christian Doctrine (397)
On Baptism: Against the Donatists (400)
On the Trinity (400-416); On Nature and Grace (415) and Homilies
 Cyril of Alexandria, St.

Personal
Patriarch of Alexandria in 412
Leader of the Council of Ephesus, 431
Instrumental in condemning Nestorianism

Place and dates

Alexandria
376-444

Writings
Against Nestorius
Against Julian the Apostate
Prolific writer
 Gregory I, St. ("The Great")
Personal
Prefect of Rome in 570
Became a monk in 575
Elected pope (r. 590-604)
Enhanced prestige of the papacy
Upheld Rome's traditional claims of
church primacy over the patriarch of
Constantinople; Extensive pastoral activity.
Introduced liturgical reforms and Gregorian
chant
Place and dates
Rome
540?-604
Writings
Moralia: a commentary on the Book of Job
Pastoral Care: describes the ideal bishop; instruction on the
practice and nature of preaching
Dialogues: legends of saints of his own time.
 John Damascene, St.
Personal
Financial officer to Saracen caliph
Resigned in 700
Entered a monastery and ordained a priest
Opposed the Iconoclasts

Place and dates

Damascus, Syria
675-749

Writings
Source of Knowledge: three part text
of dogmatic theology in the early Greek
church; contains a complete theological
system based on the early Greek fathers
and synods of 4th-7th centuries
 Ephrem The Syrian, St.
Personal
Deacon, monk
Noted for his defense of the Church, the mysteries
of Our Lord and the honor of the Virgin Mary.
Named Doctor in 1920 by Benedict XV

Place and dates

Syria
306?-373

Writings
Wrote exegetical works and hymns
 Hilary of Poitiers, St.
Personal
Pagan, convert in 350
Bishop of Poitiers, 353
Defended the decrees of the Council of Nicaea
Named Doctor in 1851 by Pius IX

Place and dates

Poitiers
15?-368?

Writings
De Trinitate: against the Arians
De Synodis
Commentary of the Psalms
Commentary of Matthew's Gospel
 Peter Chrysologus, St.
Personal
Called chrysologus (golden-mouthed) because of exceptional
preaching eloquence
Archbishop of Ravenna, 433-450
Named Doctor in 1729 by Benedict XIII

Place and dates

Ravenna
406-450

Writings
Many sermons survive
 Leo The Great, St.
Personal
Pope, 440-461
Confirmed the doctrine of the Incarnation (Council of
Chalcedon, 451)
Held the doctrinal primacy of Rome
Persuaded Attila the Hun not to invade Rome
Named Doctor in 1754 by Benedict XIV

Place and dates

Rome
461

Writings
143 surviving letters
96 sermons
 Gregory I, St.
Personal
The Great
Western theologian
Named Doctor in 1298 by Bonaface VIII

Place and dates

Rome
540?-604

Writings
See Post-Apostolic Fathers' list
 Isidore of Seville, St.
Personal
Encyclopedic knowledge
Archbishop of Seville
Conversion of Visigoths
Organizing the church in Spain
Named Doctor in 1722 by Innocent XIII

Place and dates

Seville
560?-636?

Writings
De Natura Rerum
Etymologies: an encyclopedia
Chronica Majora: a compilation
from church historians
Biographies
A summary of Christian doctrine
 Bede The Venerable, St.
Personal
English Benedictine monk
Prolific writer
Named Doctor in 1899 by Leo XIII

Place and dates

England
673?-735

Writings
Ecclesiastical History of the English
People (731)
On the Reckoning of Time (725)
Historia Abbatum (725)
 Anselm, St.
Personal
Benedictine monk
Theologian
Philosopher; proposed famous argument
for existence of God
Archbishop of Canterbury, 1093-1100
Named Doctor in 1720 by Clement XI

Place and dates

Canterbury
1033-1109

Writings
Monologium (1077): God as highest being and His attributes
Proslogium (1078): Faith seeking understanding
Cur Deus Homo (1093): On the Incarnation and crucifixion
 Bernard of Clairvaux, St.
Personal
Cistercian monk
Preacher of the Second Crusade
Founded over 90 monasteries
Named Doctor in 1830 by Pius VIII

Place and dates

Clairvaux
1090-1153

Writings
The Love of God (1127)
Consideration to Eugene III (1148)
 Anthony of Padua, St.
Personal
Franciscan monk
Theologian
Exceptional intellectual and
oratorical gifts
Named Doctor in 1946 by Pius XII

Place and dates

Padua
1195-1231

Writings
Lector in theology: taught at Bologna,
Montpellier, and Toulouse
Countless sermons exist
(franciscan-archive.org/antonius/opera/ant-hd00.html)
 Albert The Great, St.
Personal
Bishop of Ratisbon, 1260-1293
Introduced Greek and Arabic science and
philosophy into the medieval world
Dominican, Order of Preachers
Teacher of Thomas Aquinas
Named Doctor in 1932 by Pius XI

Place and dates

Ratisbon
1206-1280

Writings
Summa Theologiae (1270): attempted to reconcile
Aristotelianism and Christianity
Sentences: a commentary on Peter the Lombard
De Unitate Intellectus: against the Averrhoists
 Bonaventure, St.
Personal
Franciscan friar
Philosopher, theologian
Cardinal archbishop of Albano
Assisted at Council of Lyons
Named Doctor in 1588 by Sixtus V

Place and dates

Albano
1217-1274

Writings
Breviloquium (1254): Commentary on
Sacred Scripture
Journey of the Mind to God (1259)
Life of St. Francis of Assisi (1263)
 Thomas Aquinas, St.
Personal
Theologian
Named in 1568 by Pius V
Italian philosopher
Educated at Monte Cassino
Ordained a priest in 1250
Advisor and lecturer to the papal court,
1259-1268; named Doctor in 1568
by Pius V
Place and dates
Fossa Nuova
1225-1274
Writings
Eighty works are ascribed to him
Summa Contra Gentiles: "On the Truth of Catholic Faith,"
1261-1264: one of his greatest works, closely reasoned treatise
on the truth of Christianity
Summa Theologica: a summary of theology, (1265-1273)
 Catherine of Siena, St.
Personal
Western mystic
Joined the Dominican Order in 1353
Convinced Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon
Noted for works of charity and unity in the Church
Named Doctor in 1970 by Pope Paul VI;

Place and dates

Siena
1347-1380

Writings
Letters on spiritual matters
Dialogue: her ideals of reform and
repentance
 Theresa of Avila, St.
Personal
Western mystic
Foundress of the Order of Discalced Carmelites
Entered the convent in 1535
Worked with the aid of St. John of the Cross,
Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church
Named Doctor in 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Place and dates

Avila
1515-1582

Writings
The Way of Perfection: (1565) advice to her nuns
The Interior Castle: (1577) an eloquent description of the
contemplative life
The Foundations: (1573-1582) the origins of the Discalced
Carmelites
 Peter Canisius, St.
Personal
Jesuit
Second great Apostle of Germany
Leader, Counter-Reformation
Named Doctor in 1925 by Pius XI

Place and dates

Fribourg
1521-1597

Writings
Catechism (1560): instructed the
faithful to defend their Faith
 Robert Bellarmine, St.

Personal
Jesuit theologian
Cardinal archbishop of Capua
Revision of the Vulgate (1592)
Leader of the Counter Reformation
Named Doctor in 1931 by Pius XI

Place and dates

Capua
1542-1621

Writings
Disputations on the Controversies of the
Christian Faith: (1568-93)
 Lawrence of Brindisi, St.
Personal
Capuchin
Worked for the conversion of the Jews
Confronted the rise of Lutheranism
Organized Catholic princes against
Turkish invasion
Named Doctor in 1959 by John XXIII

Place and dates

Brindisi
1559-1619

Writings
Sermons
A commentary on Genesis
Writings against Lutheranism
 John of the Cross, St.
Personal
Western mystic
Combined mysticism with the theology
and philosophy of Aquinas
Became a Carmelite monk in 1563
Ordained a priest in 1567
Organized the Discalced Carmelites in 1568
Imprisoned for monastic reform 1576-1577
Named Doctor in 1926 by Benedict XV
Place and dates
Ubeda, Andalusia
1542-1591
Writings
Spiritual Canticle: a mystical poem
Living Flame of Love: a mystical poem
Dark Night of the Soul: describes the soul's progress
in union with God
 Francis De Sales, St.

Personal
Bishop of Genova, 1602-1622
Founded the Order of the Visitation
Confronted the rise of Calvinism
Named Doctor in 1877 by Pius IX

Place and dates

Genova
1567-1622

Writings
Introduction to the Devout Life: (1609)
shows how ordinary life can be
sanctified .
 Alfonsus Liguori, St.

Personal
Founded the Redemptorist Order in 1732
Bishop of St. Agatha, 1756-1775
Named Doctor in 1871 by Pius IX

Place and dates

Nocera de' Pagani
1696-1787

Writings
Moral Theology
Glories of Mary: (1750)
 Theresa of Lisieux, St.

Personal
Carmelite Nun: Sister Theresa of the Child Jesus
Also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus"
Canonized: May 17, 1925
Created a Doctor of the Church
by Pope John Paul II, October 19, 1997
The third woman among 33 Doctors

Place and dates

Born: Alencon, France, January 2, 1873
Died: Lisieux, France, September 30, 1897

Writings
Autobiography of a Saint: Letter and
Spiritual Counsels
 Peter Damien, St.

Personal
Benedictine monk
Cardinal and Bishop of Ostia
Ecclesiastical statesman and reformer
Named Doctor in 1828 by Leo XII

Place and dates

Ostia
1007-1072

Writings
Notable poet
Wrote reforms for popes, clergy, monks
 Popes’ Mosaic Icons
There are many
iconographies on the
Supreme Pontiffs, from
St. Peter to the present
day. The set used in this
timeline is the one highly
valued and officially The Patriarchal Basilica
acknowledged by the of St. Paul Outside the Walls,
Vatican. It is found in the St. Peter Rome, Italy.
naves of the Patriarchal 42-67
Basilica of St. Paul- The first Pope
Outside the Walls in
Rome, Italy. The Enlarged section of the Basilica
reproductions in the Pope showing the mosaics
Chart* are from this
collection. The collection
is made of medallions in
mosaic; each one has the
Pontiff’s name written in
Latin and the period of his
pontificate in Roman
numbers. This
iconography was started
by St. Leo the Great in
498 and historically
updated in 1947.

Diagram showing
the chronological
order of the mosaics
in the Basilica
Interior of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls

* Chart copies of the mosaics available at: www.popechart.com/history.htm; adapted here for teaching purposes.
 • Questions or comments?
– Email either
• Dr. Robert Schihl (robesch@catholicapologetics.org) , or
• Paul Flanagan (pdflan@catholicapologetics.org)

• To Download a Copy of the Text Notes:

www.catholicapologetics.org/CBANotes.pdf

© 2006, Robert J Schihl