MODULE 1 NOTORIOUS ROMAN EMPERORS TOWARDS

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS

21 Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic ● Nero
Church ● Decius
● Diocletian
1. First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) ● Trajan
2. First Council of Constantinople (381 ● Marcus Aurelius
AD) ● Domitian
3. Council of Ephesus (431 AD) Tertullian (155-220 AD)
4. Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) - “the blood of martyrs is the seed
5. Second Council of Constantinople of Christianity”
(553 AD) Apologetics
6. Third Council of Constantinople - the study of the defense of faith by the
(680-681 AD) used of reason
7. Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD) Apologist
8. Fourth Council of Constantinople - is a person who is an expert in
(869-870 AD) defending the faith by using reason
9. First Lateran Council (1123 AD) Nero (54-68 AD)
10. Second Lateran Council (1139 AD) - first emperor to persecute Christians
11. Third Lateran Council (1179 AD) - The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD offered
12. Fourth Lateran Council (1215 AD) him a convenient scapegoat, and
13. First Council of Lyon (1245 AD) rumors spread that Christians had
14. Second Council of Lyon (1274 AD) started the blaze.
15. Council of Vienne (1311-1312 AD) - Martyrs: Saints Peter and Paul
16. Council of Constance (1414-1418 AD) Trajan (98-117 AD)
17. Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence - Pliny-Trajan correspondence, which
(1431-1449 AD) established a legal precedent for
18. Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517 AD) persecuting Christians
19. Council of Trent (1545-1563 AD) Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD)
20. First Vatican Council (1869-1870 AD) - Philosopher-emperor
21. Second Vatican Council (1962-1965 - The persecution during his reign was
AD) particularly fierce in Gaul, where
many Christians were martyred,
- Martyr: Saint Polycarp.
Who persecuted the early church? Decius (249-251 AD)
- Roman Empire - most systematic and widespread
Timeline: persecutions of Christians
- started from 1st century until 313 - Internal debates about apostasy and
What law stopped the prosecution? martyrdom
- Edict of Milan - Christian faith or their
Reasons given by historians: life Valerian (253-260 AD)
● for their persecutions: - Christian leaders were targeted,
● for treason churches were destroyed, and holy
● various rumored crimes books were burned
● illegal assembly - persecution ended abruptly with
● introducing an alien Valerian's capture by the
● cult that led to Roman apostasy Persians
● cannibalism and immorality
Diocletian and Galerius (284-305 AD) - In hoc signo vinces (‘In this sign
- Diocletianic Persecution is conquer’)
considered the most severe and - Lactantius - emperor had a dream in
sustained persecution of Christians which he was told to mark ‘the
in Roman history. heavenly sign of God’ on his soldiers’
- persecution ultimately backfired, shields
strengthening the resolve of many EDICT OF MILAN (313) AND EDICT OF
Christians and contributing to the THESSALONICA
eventual conversion of Emperor - The edict of Milan (by Emperor
Constantine the Great Constantine and Emperor Licinius)
THE GREAT FIRE OF ROME put an end to the persecution of the
- July 18, 64 C.E early Christians
- started in the enormous Circus - Edict of Thessalonica, (380 AD), (by
Maximus stadium in Rome, now the emperor Theodosius) made Christianity,
capital of Italy specifically Nicene Christianity, the
- extinguished six days later official religion of the Roman Empire
- Nero was falsely accused FOUR EARLY CHURCH COUNCILS
CCC 849: 1. Nicaea (325) - formulation of the
- Catechism of the Catholic Church Nicene creed,
- Missionary mandate of the Church 2. Constantinople (381) - dogmatically
● The Church is called to spread define the Divinity ofGod the Holy Spirit
the Gospel message 3. Ephesus (431) - Mary as Mother of God
● Universality of the Church's purpose 4. Chalcedon (451) - Christ had two
CCC 233: natures, divine and human
- oneness of God MEDIEVAL CHURCH AND REFORMATION
● Trinity in Christian Baptism (6TH – 15TH AD)
Paragraph 857 of the Catechism of ● Feudalism is the order of the society.
the Catholic Church (CCC) ● “Europe is the faith and the Faith
- "Apostolic" is Europe”.
1. Built upon the foundation laid by ● heyday of Monasticism
Jesus' chosen apostles. 1. Pope – the head of the Church
2. Committed to faithfully transmitting 2. Cardinals – advisors to the Pope;
the apostles' teachings. administrators of the Church
3. Led by those who carry on the apostles' 3. Bishops/Archbishops – ecclesiastical
mission of teaching and guiding the superiors over a cathedral or region
Church. 4. Priests – ecclesiastical authorities over
Flavius Valerius Constantinus “Constantine a parish, village, or town church
the Great” 5. Monastic Orders – religious adherents
- Pagan monotheist, a devotee of the in monasteries supervised by an
sun god Sol Invictus, the unconquered abbot/abbess.
sun REFORMATION AND CHURCH COUNTER
- Winning the Battle of Milvian Bridge REFORMATION
made Constantine master of the entire - Protestant Reformation was a major
Roman Empire - link with his 16th century European movement
conversion to Christianity aimed initially at reforming the beliefs
- The story told by Eusebius of and practices of The Roman Catholic
Caesarea, a Christian biblical Church
scholar and historian who wrote the
first biography of Constantine
CHURCH COUNTER-REFORMATION - is the study of the church as a branch
- The three key elements of the Catholic of theology
Reformation were: - root of ecclesiology is the Greek word
1. founding of the Jesuits, ekklesia (“church”)
2. formation of the papacy Ecclesia
3. Council of Trent - congregation of believers or the Church
- Ecclesia semper reformanda - The as a whole.
church who is need of constant Marks of the Church
reform - one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
The Church is One
MODERN CHURCH (FIRST AND SECOND - "the highest exemplar and source of
VATICAN COUNCIL this mystery is the unity, in the Trinity
of Persons, of one God, the Father and
VATICAN I the Son in the Holy Spirit"
- the 20th ecumenical council of The Church is Holy
the Roman Catholic Church - because it exists in union with Jesus
- by Pope Pius IX Christ, the source of holiness
- to address contemporary issues. The Church is Catholic
- rationalism, liberalism, and materialism - The term "Catholic" means "universal."
Two doctrinal constitutions: A. because all baptized people
1. Dei Filius are members of the Church
- A substantially condensed B. because the Church was sent to
version of the schema on proclaim Christ to the entire human
Catholic doctrine that deals race
with faith, reason, and their The Church is Apostolic
interrelationships - The church is apostolic because the
2. Pastor Aeternus church's teaching office, the
- which deals with the pope's Magisterium, was entrusted with the
power divine task of interpreting scripture
Papal infallibility Summary
- the Pope is believed by Catholics to be • One: the Church is a single entity. This
incapable of error when officially indicates that it is a one, undivided, and
teaching on core matters of faith worldwide Church founded by Christ Jesus.
and morals. • Holy: The Church is holy because it is the
VATICAN II Body of Christ, headed by Jesus. This is not
- proclaimed by Pope John XXIII to say that all members of the Church are
- January 25, 1959 sinless. It indicates that the Church and
- method of spiritual renewal for the her sacraments aid in the sanctification of
church and an opportunity for the faithful.
Christians separated from Rome to • Catholic: The term catholic literally
engage in a search for Christian means "universal." The Church's role is to
unity disseminate the Word of God throughout the
earth.
• Apostolic: the Church's roots and doctrines
began with the apostles at Pentecost.
MODULE 3

MODULE 2

Ecclesiology Body of Christ

The three characteristics of the Church as
the Body of Christ (CCC 789):
● The unity of the members
● Christ as the Head
● The Church as the bride of Christ
Who are the people of God?
1. Pope:
- The pope is the successor of St.
Peter, the head or leader of the
Apostles.
2. Bishops:
- The successors of the Apostles
3. Priests:
- Co-workers with the bishops
4. Deacons:
- Co-workers with bishops and
priests, deacons assist at Mass,
bless marriages, proclaim the
Gospel, baptize, preside over
funerals and perform other tasks
5. Laity:
- The laity are the baptized who MODULE 4
“in their own way share the
priestly, prophetic and kingly Mission
office of Christ - a requirement of the Church’s
6. Religious: catholicity
- “Religious have the duty of - ultimate purpose of mission is to
working for the implanting and make men share in the communion
strengthening of the kingdom of between the Father and the Son in
Christ in souls and for spreading their Spirit of love
it to the four corners of the earth
Notion of the Church According to Saint Constitutive Dimension of the Gospel
Augustine • Scripture – hearing the Good News
• Sacraments – worship, prayer life, etc.
Christus Totus (Whole Christ) • Social Mission – action for social justice
1. Christ according to his divine nature
2. Christ as a human being united with What is meant by Social Teachings of
the divinity by virtue of his the Church?
incarnation ● It is the accurate formulation of the
3. Christ as a combination of both results of a careful reflection on the
head and body complex realities of human existence,
in society and in the international
order, in the light of faith and of the
Church tradition (SRS102/CSDC 72)
● The application of the Words of God to
people’s lives and society, offering
principles for reflection, criteria for
 judgment and directives for action
(Centissimus Annus)
● It is a systematized body of moral
teachings on political and
economic issues communicated
through the ordinary Magisterium
of the Church (Gregorio, Christians
in the World)

Elements
● Truth – moral and religious truths
which enlighten Christians on the
nature and dignity of man
● Principles and norms – that must be
applied in public and private
relationships (moral behavior
concerning family life, economy,
politics, etc.)
● Values – that Christians must respect,
defend and cherish.

Characteristics
• Permanent Character
● + It is based on the Bible, Sacred
Tradition and Natural Law
● + It is always valid at all times, for all
peoples and for all places
● + Rooted in the Gospel truths/values
that are valid and permanent i.e., NOTES
human dignity, common good, justice,
peace, etc. which need to be
preserved and upheld. Four sources of the Catholic Church's
• Evolutionary Character Social Teachings:
● + Adopts its principles to the existing 1. Scripture
social situation in a given particular 2. Tradition
period of History 3. Reason
● + Changing social situation, the social 4. Experience
teaching of the Church evolves
● + To be interpreted and applied WHY IS THE CHURCH CALLED BODY OF
according to changing and varying CHRIST IN ONE SENTENCE
situations where the Church is in. - The Church is called the Body of
Christ because it's seen as an
extension of Jesus, with believers
functioning as individual members
united under his leadership.

HOW DID WE BECOME A MEMBER OF

CHURCH?
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
HOW MANY WAYS CAN WE APPROACH Why is the church one? holy? apostolic?
JESUS? Catholic?
● One: The Church strives for unity in
BIRTHDAY OF CHURCH: faith despite its global reach, reflecting
- Pentecost the oneness of God.
● Holy: Though not all members
What is the descent of the holy spirit? are sinless, the Church is set
- Christians believe the descent of the apart for God's purposes and
Holy Spirit on Pentecost empowered the aims to guide believers towards
early Church to fulfill Jesus' mission of holiness.
spreading his message. ● Catholic: Derived from the Greek word
for "universal," the Church welcomes
When did pentecost happen? people of all backgrounds who seek to
- Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th day follow Jesus' teachings.
after Easter Sunday, making its date ● Apostolic: Founded by Jesus and
variable each year. entrusted to the Apostles, the Church
ensures the continuity of their original
How many days after the ascension of teachings and carries on their mission.
christ?
● Pentecost is 10 days after the
Ascension of Christ. What is the meaning of the word catholic?
● Ascension: Celebrated on the 40th day - universal
after Easter Sunday.
● Pentecost: Occurs on the 50th
day after Easter Sunday.

The 1st emperor who killed christians:

- Nero (reigned 54-68 AD)
What event led to this?
- The Great Fire of Rome (64 AD)
- raged for six days.
- begun on the night of July 18th, 64 AD
- destroyed 10 out of Rome's 14 districts
- shops near the Circus Maximus

Marks of the Church

- one, holy, catholic, and apostolic

What council said that the holy spirit is a

God?
A. First Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
B. First Council of Constantinople
(381 AD)