Early Christianity and Ecumenical Councils

Early Christianity (1st-5th centuries)

• Christianity emerged in the 1st century AD, founded by Jesus Christ and his apostles
• Spread throughout the Mediterranean world, with key centers in Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria
• Early Christian communities faced persecution, particularly under Roman Emperor Diocletian (303-313 AD)

Ecumenical Councils (4th-8th centuries)

• Series of seven councils that established Orthodox doctrine and practice
• First Council of Nicaea (325 AD): established the Nicene Creed, affirmed Jesus as fully divine
• First Council of Constantinople (381 AD): affirmed the divinity of the Holy Spirit
• Council of Ephesus (431 AD): affirmed Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God)
• Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): established the two natures of Christ (human and divine)

Byzantine Era (5th-15th centuries)

• Orthodox Church became the official state church of the Byzantine Empire
• Period of significant theological and liturgical development
• Iconoclastic Controversy (726-843 AD): debate over the use of icons in worship
• Photian Schism (866-879 AD): dispute over the patriarchate of Constantinople

Ottoman Era (14th-20th centuries)

• Orthodox Church faced persecution and decline under Ottoman rule
• Patriarchate of Constantinople became the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church
• National churches emerged in Eastern Europe, such as the Russian Orthodox Church

Modern Era (20th-21st centuries)

• Orthodox Church faced significant challenges, including communist persecution and secularization
• Ecumenical movement and dialogue with other Christian denominations
• Autocephalous churches established in Eastern Europe and the Americas

Key Figures

• Apostles: Peter, Paul, John, and others
• Church Fathers: Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom
• Patriarchs: Photios, Cyril Lukaris, and Meletios IV
• Saints: Nicholas of Myra, John of Damascus, and Mary of Egypt

Key Concepts

• Theosis: the process of becoming united with God through deification
• Filioque: the addition of "and the Son" to the Nicene Creed, a point of controversy with Western Christianity
• Hesychasm: the practice of contemplative prayer and inner stillness

Early Christianity (1st-5th centuries)

• Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ and his apostles in the 1st century AD
• The religion spread throughout the Mediterranean world, with key centers emerging in Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria
• Early Christian communities faced severe persecution, particularly under Roman Emperor Diocletian from 303-313 AD

Ecumenical Councils (4th-8th centuries)

• A series of seven councils were held to establish Orthodox doctrine and practice
• The First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) established the Nicene Creed, affirming Jesus as fully divine
• The First Council of Constantinople (381 AD) affirmed the divinity of the Holy Spirit
• The Council of Ephesus (431 AD) affirmed Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God)
• The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) established the two natures of Christ (human and divine)

Byzantine Era (5th-15th centuries)

• The Orthodox Church became the official state church of the Byzantine Empire
• This period saw significant theological and liturgical development
• The Iconoclastic Controversy (726-843 AD) was a debate over the use of icons in worship
• The Photian Schism (866-879 AD) was a dispute over the patriarchate of Constantinople

Ottoman Era (14th-20th centuries)

• The Orthodox Church faced persecution and decline under Ottoman rule
• The Patriarchate of Constantinople became the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church
• National churches emerged in Eastern Europe, such as the Russian Orthodox Church

Modern Era (20th-21st centuries)

• The Orthodox Church faced significant challenges, including communist persecution and secularization
• There was an ecumenical movement and dialogue with other Christian denominations
• Autocephalous churches were established in Eastern Europe and the Americas

Key Figures

• Apostles: Peter, Paul, John, and others played a crucial role in spreading Christianity
• Church Fathers: Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom were influential in shaping Orthodox theology
• Patriarchs: Photios, Cyril Lukaris, and Meletios IV held significant positions in the Orthodox Church
• Saints: Nicholas of Myra, John of Damascus, and Mary of Egypt were venerated for their piety and devotion

Key Concepts

• Theosis refers to the process of becoming united with God through deification
• Filioque is the addition of "and the Son" to the Nicene Creed, a point of controversy with Western Christianity
• Hesychasm is the practice of contemplative prayer and inner stillness