Untitled Quiz

Introduction

• The early Church did not have a peaceful life, facing persecution from the start (Pentecost).
• Despite this, Christians remained strong and kept their faith.
• The Church prioritized converting and evangelizing.
• Additionally, it focused on protecting its members from pagan vices and errors.

Objectives

• Derive virtues from the early Christian communities
• Compare the early Christian community to the current Church

Characteristics of the Early Christian Community

• The community was faithful to the teachings of the apostles, practicing the common life of sharing, the breaking of bread and prayers.
• A holy fear came upon all, due to many wonders and miracles.
• Believers lived together, sharing all belongings.
• They sold their property and distributed the proceeds to others.
• They met at the temple areas, broke bread in their homes, shared food with joy, and praised God daily.
• The Lord added to their number those who were being saved (Acts 2:43-47)

Characteristics of the Early Christian Community (Continued)

• The community was one heart and one mind, sharing possessions.
• No one claimed private ownership of possessions.
• People who had land or houses sold them, and their proceeds were given to the apostles for distribution as needed.
• A man named Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, the apostles called Barnabas ("The encouraging one") sold his field and gave the money to the apostles (Acts 4:32-37)

Scripture: The Church's Devotion

• The early Christian community was dedicated to Jesus Christ and his teachings.
• They demonstrated unwavering faith.
• Practices of love, kindness, and charity were prioritized.
• The community convened for worship, prayer, and meals, emphasizing fellowship, relationships, and unity.
• Christians shared resources, offered emotional support, and welcomed all backgrounds.

Early Church Devotion to Fellowship

• Fellowship was central to the early Christian community.
• It fostered unity through prayer, worship, meals, and mutual support.
• Despite persecution, the community remained hospitable and dedicated.
• Resources were shared among the faithful.

Early Church Devotion to the Breaking of Bread

• The act of breaking bread, symbolic of Jesus' Last Supper, strengthened the unity and faith of early Christian communities.
• This practice reminded community members of Jesus' sacrifice and fostered a shared commitment.

Early Church Devotion to Prayer

• Prayer was considered a high value and a direct conversation with God.
• Believers used individual and collective prayer for comfort, strength, and expressing gratitude.
• Prayer fostered community, helped share burdens, and encouraged one another.

The Early Church (30-330 AD)

• The Church originated from a Jewish community in Palestine.
• The early followers were Jewish.
• The Church adapted to the Roman Empire's culture but never relinquished its essential teachings.
• The Church faced challenges like theological debates, barbarian invasions, and persecution.

The Ten General Persecutions

• The Roman Emperors Nero, Domitian, Trajan to Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian, and Diocletian each had periods of persecution of Christians.

Nero (64-67 AD)

• Nero falsely accused Christians for the Great Fire of Rome.
• Christians faced violence, cruelty, torture (flogging, crucifixion, being torn apart by animals in arenas).
• Many Christians were martyred, inspiring admiration for their steadfast faith in the face of suffering.

Peter's Crucifixion

• Peter, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, was arrested and crucified.
• He asked to be crucified upside down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
• Peter's martyrdom stemmed from his Christian faith and spreading of Christian beliefs.

Paul's Beheading

• Paul was another influential figure in early Christianity.
• He was arrested and sentenced to death during Nero's persecution.
• Tradition suggests he was beheaded due to being a Roman citizen, making it a more honorable death than crucifixion.
• His martyrdom symbolized his dedication to spreading Jesus' teachings, even at personal cost.

Domitian (95-96 AD)

• Domitian's reign was autocratic and focused on consolidating power.
• He initiated monumental building projects (Flavian Palace on Palatine Hill and restoration of the Roman Colosseum).
• He also introduced economic and administrative reforms.

Domitian (95-96 AD) (continued)

• Domitian's reign also showed authoritarianism and harsh policies.

• He persecuted Christians, demanded absolute loyalty and reverence, and maintained a network of informants to identify threats.

• Domitian was assassinated in 96 AD.

Clement I

• Pope Clement is known for his letter to the Corinthians (First Epistle of Clement).
• He offers insights into the early Christian Church.
• He was the third successor of Peter, serving during the last decade of the first century.
• He's part of the "Apostolic Fathers."
• Clement led a ministry to fellow prisoners and was executed by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea.

Trajan to Hadrian (98-138 AD)

• Trajan adopted Hadrian (117-138 AD).
• Hadrian's reign marked a move away from traditional hereditary succession.
• This period was marked by territorial expansion, architecture achievements, and promotion of Roman culture.
• This contributed to the grandeur of the Roman world.

Ignatius of Antioch

• Ignatius, a famous early Christian writer, is known for his seven letters.
• These letters provide valuable insights into the early Christian Church.
• Ignatius was martyred in Rome around 107-108 AD.
• He wrote to various Christian communities, including those in Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome.
• He encouraged the communities to remain faithful to God in his letters.

Polycarp

• Polycarp, believed to be born around 69-70 AD, served as the bishop of Smyrna.
• During persecution, he chose to resist renouncing his faith, despite being pressured by the proconsul.
• His steadfast faith resulted in his execution.

Marcus Aurelius (161 AD)

• Marcus Aurelius, renowned for his philosophical writings (Meditations), ruled from 161 to 180 AD.
• Instances of persecution, primarily targeting Christians, occurred during his reign.

St. Justin

• St. Justin was an influential early Christian apologist and theologian; most important of the early Christian martyrs.
• He was martyred in Rome in 165.
• He defended and explained Christian beliefs to Roman authorities and the wider Greco-Roman world.
• He was beheaded for those beliefs.
• He stated, "We are slain with the sword, but we increase and multiply; the more we are persecuted and destroyed, the more we are deaf to our numbers."

St. Cecilia

• St. Cecilia was a Christian martyr.
• She refused to renounce her faith, even when sentenced to suffocate in a bathhouse.
• She miraculously survived and was condemned to death by the sword. She was struck by the executioner three times, and yet she survived.
• She continued preaching the Christian faith, proving her devotion.

Septimius Severus

• Septimius Severus was a Roman emperor (193-211 AD).
• He's remembered as a capable leader who stabilized the Roman Empire during political turmoil.
• His reign saw the strengthening of the Roman military, extension of citizenship, and improvements to the legal system.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

• Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were martyred in Carthage (North Africa) in 203.
• Perpetua was a married noblewoman and mother.
• Felicity was a slave and pregnant.
• They kept a diary detailing their imprisonment.
• They refused to renounce their Christian faith despite facing death in the arena.

St. Irenaeus

• Irenaeus was a Christian theologian and bishop of the late 2nd century.
• He died as a martyr, and the details of his martyrdom weren’t recorded as extensively compared to other martyrs.
• He was buried under a church later named in his honor (Saint John in Lyon).

Maximinus Thrax

• Maximinus Thrax, Ruled from 235 to 238 AD.
• He's remembered for a harsh persecution of Christians.
• Issued edicts ordering the arrest and execution of Christian leaders and followers, especially in the Eastern provinces.

Pope Pontian

• Pontian was the 18th Pope (230-235 AD).
• His papacy coincided with the Roman persecution of Christians initiated by Emperor Maximinus Thrax
• He was exiled to Sardinia, where he died as a martyr.
• His feast day is celebrated on January 23rd.

Decius

• Decius (249-251 AD) launched a systematic empire-wide persecution of Christians.
• This was one of the most severe and well-organized early Christian persecutions.
• It aimed to force Christians to perform traditional Roman religious sacrifices.

St. Fabian

• St. Fabian was a pope (236-250 AD).
• He was a martyr due to his execution during the Decius persecution.
• He was buried in the Catacombs of St. Agatha

St. Agatha

• A Christian saint from Sicily (3rd century).
• Honored as a virgin and martyr.
• She was arrested and severely tortured for her Christian faith. She resisted renouncing it.

Valerian

• Valerian (253-260 AD) persecuted Christians.
• His policies aimed to suppress Christian faith.
• He issued edicts requiring participation in traditional Roman religious practices or face severe penalties.

St. Cyprian

• Cyprian, a prominent bishop and theologian of the 3rd century.
  • Served as the Bishop of Carthage.
• Martyred during the Valerian persecution in 258 AD.
• His sentence was seen as a means to discourage followers of the Christian faith.
• He accepted death with courage by being beheaded

St. Lawrence

• St. Lawrence was one of the seven deacons in Rome during the 3rd century (under Pope Sixtus II).
• He was arrested for his Christian faith and role as a deacon, and was instructed to surrender the Church's treasures.
• He defiantly presented the poor as the Church's true treasures as they were the embodiment of love, faith, and service.
• Executed by being roasted alive on a gridiron, demonstrating his strong faith.

St. Agnes of Rome

• Agnes was a young Christian woman in Rome during the 3rd century.
• Her refusal to marry a prominent suitor because of her Christian faith and vow of chastity led her persecution.
• She was arrested, subjected to threats and torture, yet she remained steadfast.
• Executed by beheading, having resisted renouncing her faith.

Sixtus II

• Sixtus II, served as bishop of Rome (257-258 AD).
• Targeted by Valerian's persecution, along with several deacons, while celebrating Mass.
• Refused to renounce his faith and cooperate with Roman authorities, leading to his execution and martyrdom by beheading.

Aurelian

• Aurelian (reigned 275-275 AD).
• Persecuted Christians, yet this was less severe than some other persecution periods in Roman history.
• His reign marked a turning point in the Roman Empire, restoring unity/order after years of chaos.

Diocletian

• During Diocletian's reign (303-313 AD), there was a severe persecution of Christians (Diocletianic Persecution).
• Churches were destroyed, scriptures were confiscated, and Christians were subjected to torture and punishment.
• In 313 AD, Constantine granted freedom and recognition to the church.

Impact of the Early Christian Community

• The early Christian communities laid the groundwork for the Church today.
• Their presence, faith-based acceptance, and example led to Christianity's spread globally.
• Their humility, care for the poor and needy, sharing resources, and efforts in converting others, continue to impact the Church today.

Comparison between Early Christian Community and the Church Today

• Early Christians were small in number, meeting in small gatherings (homes/meeting places).
• Today, there are billions of followers, structured hierarchies, clergy, and established institutions.
• Early Christians experienced intense persecution; currently enjoying religious freedom in many countries.
• Early forms of worship involved prayer, teachings, breaking of bread, and fellowship. Modern Church worship encompasses diverse styles (traditional liturgical to contemporary).
• Early Christians were heavily involved with communal living and shared resources, and social justice is still prominent in modern churches.

Size and Structure

• Early Christian communities were small, meeting in homes.
• Today, the Church spans the globe, with large followings and organized structures.

Persecution and Acceptance

• Early Christians faced intense persecution from the Roman Empire.
• Today, many countries have religious freedom and protected spaces.

Worship and Sacraments

• Early gatherings involved prayer, teachings, breaking of bread, and fellowship.
• Modern forms of worship and religious ceremonies are more diverse and complex.

Social Engagement

• Early Christians were known for communal living, sharing resources, and acts of charity and conversion.
• Modern Churches continue to advocate social justice, charity, and outreach, albeit in different ways.

Additional Notes

• The provided information details the persecution periods of the early Christian Church under Roman emperors and leaders, and the efforts in spreading the religion.