History of the Church
by: William Kariampuzha
Background Chapter: The Roman Empire
Romans were a rough, polytheistic people. They would whip their children on pillars and if a child was undesirable at birth it could be left to die in the desert. This hardened mentality helped them create a powerful and great military empire that stretched from Rome to past the Holy Lands. Romans were an understanding people and they were tolerant of Judaism, thus Jesus was not born under persecution from Romans but they did sentence him to death by Cross.
Chapter 1: Jesus and the Founding of the Church
Jesus established his Church according to His Father's will. He left it in the hands and feet of the twelve Apostles to go out and evangelize after he had ascended. Many Apostles wrote letters, and went to evangelize on foot after Pentecost. Paul walked across the world, Peter established the Church in Rome, and St. Thomas established the Church in India.
Chapter 2: The Early Christians
Chapter 3: Persecution of "The Way"
Chapter 4: Church Fathers and Heresies
Chapter 5: Light in the Dark Ages
As Europe plunged into the Dark Ages after the fall of Rome, there were not many thing that could give the people hope. However hope resided in the Church and its Light of Christ. This light lit up the Dark Ages. Tangible evidence of this light are the monasteries that would care for people and educate them. The monks were also one of the key components for Europe's later rebirth because they had saved the ancient works by copying them.
Chapter 7: The Great Schism
Chapter 9: The Crusades
Chapter 9: The Inquisition
Chapter 10: The High Middle Ages
Chapter 11: The Black Death
Chapter 11: The Hundred Years War
The Hundred Years War was a series of battles fought over the span of 100 years, not a full out war fought viciously for 100 straight years. It was fought over the fact that the English were in France, and taking up their land. Thus the Hundred Years War was fought in Europe and Joan of Arc was able to help the French win victory.
Chapter 11: St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan of Arc was called by God at a very young age to lead the French into battle and to victory. She inspired many people and brought them back to the faith. Many miracles have been attributed to her and she is a role model for many women around the world.
Chapter 12: The Renaissance
Chapter 13: The Protestant Reformation
Chapter 13: The English Reformation
Chapter 15: Exploration and Missionary Movements
Chapter 16: Age of Enlightenment
Chapter 19: Rise of Soviet Communism
Chapter 19: Rise of Nazism
Chapter 19: Pope Pius XII and World War II
Two Saints of The Nazi Persecution are St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and St. Maximilian Kolbe(pictured below).