Thursdays Blog 5/8/14

Christ Victorious - This mosaic in a chapel in the Italian city of Ravenna dates from about A.D. 500, when Rome was beset by invaders and Christians were bitterly divided our belief.  Christ is shown as a youthful and steadfast Roman soldier, wearing the purple cloak of an emperor, and carrying his cross like a shouldered weapon.  His open Bible proclaims: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Gentiles - A term for non-Jews; Christians used it to refer to worshipers of the gods and goddesses

Chronology

63 B.C. - Jewish kingdom comes under Roman rule

CA. A.D. 30 - Death of Jesus

A.D. 50-60 - Paul's letters to Christian communities

A.D. 70 - Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans

A.D. 235-284 - Series of short-reigning Roman emperors

A.D. 285 - Diocletian takes control, begins reforms

A.D. 313 - Edict of Milan formally ends persecution of Christians

A.D. 370 - Huns enter eastern Europe; barbarians forced from frontier into empire

A.D. 378 - Visigoths defeat Romans at the Battle of Adrianople

A.D. 410 - Alaric and the Visigoths loot Rome

A.D. 476 - Last Western Roman emperor deposed