Christians

Constantine, Champion of the Faith
Legend has it that, Constantine had seen a vision of a burning cross on the eve of an important battle and at once became converted to Christianity. As sole emperor of the western empire (312-337), he championed religious freedom for all, granting the Christians legal status and official protection for the first time. In 324 Constantine conquered the eastern empire and united East and West under the standard of the cross. Later, he moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium, a port on the shore of the Bosporus. The city was hailed as the new Rome and was consecrated to Jesus.

Christianity had conquered the Roman world. A new era of one empire, one emperor, one church, one Lord (Jesus) and one God had begun. Soon millions would eagerly embrace the new faith, and the inspiration of Jesus would sustain countless generation of the faithful.

NOTE: Given this positive account of Constantine, it has been suggested that I also mention the minority (Anabaptist) view that his so-called conversion marked the fall of
Christianity.

In 334, Alexander, seeking to conquer all the Near East, led his armies from Greece into Asia Minor. There in the year 333, he met and destroyed the Persian army under Darius III at Issues in one of history's most decisive battles.

Within a year the Greeks had control of Syria, Judah and Egypt, and their armies marched across Mesopotamia to subdue the remnants of Darius' forces. By 326, Alexander's empire reached India and his campaigning was over: his soldiers refused to go on. Within three years he was dead, at the age of 33.

390-460 St. Patrick was British by birth and raised Catholic. He was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland. After his return home he went back to Ireland on a mission. He was the first Christian to oppose slavery. in 431 he was sent to be Bishop of Ireland. His feast day is March 17th

Augustine of Hippo Converted to Christianity in 386 by hearing a voice while sitting in a garden. 391 he was ordained a priest and eventually became Bishop of Hippo. He wrote his confessions, in 400-412 engaged in controversy with Pelagians that lead to the Doctrine of Predestination. The last years of his life he was concerned with the role of God in history. He died during the Vandal Invasion.

311 Donatism Controversy was concerned with lapsed clergy. the Donatists had split the church over the issues of church and state and keeping the purity of the church. another controversy of this time was the Just War Theory must be winnable, treat women and children fairly, and be humane

Major Ancient Church Doctrinal Controversies*
Trinitarian Controversy. Relevant Councils: Nicea (325) and Constantinople (381). Accepted that Christ is "of same substance with the Father." Accepted that Father, Son, and Spirit are "coeternal, consubstantial, and coequal."

(For creeds, please link to the BCP online)

Christological Controversy. Relevant Councils: Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Ephesus ("Robber Synod") (449), Chalcedon (451), Accepted that Christ is "one person in two natures, unmixed, unchanged, undivided, inseparable." Accepted Mary as "the Mother of God."

Donatist Controversy. Relevant Councils: Arles (314). Accepted "Outside the church there is no salvation."

Pelagian Controversy. Relevant Councils: Ephesus (431) and Orange (529). Accepted Semi-Augustinianism; sacramental grace enables people to overcome their innate sinfulness.