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Interactive Historical Journey
Trace the visible organic development of Catholic doctrine from Clement of Rome (c. 96 AD) through the 6th Century Justinian Code and Ecumenical Councils.
c. 96 ADST. CLEMENT OF ROME (4TH BISHOP OF ROME)
Clement of Rome / 1 Clement — Papal Primacy
"If any person disobeys the words spoken by Him through us, let them understand that they will involve themselves in no slight transgression and danger."
Late 1st / Early 2nd c.DIDACHE (TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES)
Didache 14 — Lord's Day Gathering & Eucharistic Confession
"But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving... confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure."
c. 107 ADST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH
Ignatius of Antioch — Mono-Episcopacy & Real Presence
"They abstain from Eucharist and prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ..."
c. 150 ADST. JUSTIN MARTYR (FIRST APOLOGY)
Justin Martyr — Baptismal Regeneration & Eucharistic Sacrifice
"As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach is true... are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated."
c. 155 ADCHURCH OF SMYRNA
Martyrdom of Polycarp — Veneration of Relics
"We took up his bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and refined gold, and deposited them in a suitable place."
c. 180 ADST. IRENAEUS OF LYONS (AGAINST HERESIES)
Irenaeus — Apostolic Succession & Mary as New Eve
"As Eve, who was a virgin, was disobedient, and was made the cause of death... so also Mary, being a virgin, was obedient, and became the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race."
c. 200–211 ADTERTULLIAN (NORTH AFRICA)
Tertullian — Christian Sacraments & Traditions
"At every forward step and movement, whenever we come in or go out, when we put on our clothes and shoes... we mark our foreheads with the sign [of the cross]."
c. 240–244 ADORIGEN OF ALEXANDRIA
Origen — Infant Baptism & Confession to Clergy
"According to the Church's tradition, baptism is given even to infants."
c. 251–253 ADST. CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE (DE LAPSIS)
Cyprian — Penance for the Lapsed & Unity of the Church
"I beseech you, brethren, that each confessor confess his sin while he is still in this world, while his confession can be received."
325 AD1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (NICEA I)
First Council of Nicaea — Nicene Creed & Divinity of Christ
"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible... And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father..."
c. 350–367 ADST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM & ST. ATHANASIUS
Athanasius Festal Letter 39 — Canon of Sacred Scripture
"In these [the 27 books of the New Testament] alone is the teaching of godliness proclaimed. Let no one add to these or take anything away from them."
381 AD2ND ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (CONSTANTINOPLE I)
First Council of Constantinople — Divinity of the Holy Spirit
"And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is together worshipped and glorified..."
c. 383 ADST. JEROME (AGAINST HELVIDIUS)
Jerome — Perpetual Virginity of Mary
"You say that Mary did not remain a virgin; I claim even more, that Joseph himself was virgin, through Mary, that from a virgin wedlock a virgin son might be born."
393–419 ADCOUNCILS OF HIPPO & CARTHAGE
Councils of Hippo & Carthage — Ratification of Biblical Canon
"Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in the Church under the name of divine Scriptures."
c. 400 ADST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
Augustine — Sacraments, Grace, & Purgatorial Purification
"Temporal punishments are suffered by some in this life only, by some after death, by some both before and after death; but all of them before that last and strictest judgment."
431 AD3RD ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (EPHESUS)
Council of Ephesus — Theotokos (Mother of God)
"If anyone does not confess that Emmanuel is truly God, and that therefore the holy virgin is the Theotokos (for she bore in a fleshly manner the Word of God made flesh) let him be anathema."
451 AD4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (CHALCEDON)
Council of Chalcedon — Two Natures of Christ & Papal Tome
"Following the holy fathers, we all with one voice teach the confession of one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ... perfect in Godhead and perfect in manhood..."
529–533 ADEMPEROR JUSTINIAN I / CODE OF JUSTINIAN
Codex Justinianus — Imperial Civil Acknowledgment of the Holy See
"Therefore, We present to Your Holiness the fact that certain infidels... have dared to dispute matters which are properly accepted, glorified, and preached by all priests... denying that Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and that Our Lord was born of the Holy Spirit and of the holy, Glorious, and always Virgin Mary, the Mother of God..."