Lesson 21 Flashcards
- Which are the years known as ‘the apostolic period’ and ‘the apostolic disciple’s period’?
The earliest stage in the development of the Church, from 30 A.D. to 70 A.D., can be called the ‘apostolic period’.
- What benefits did the church enjoy during the reign of Emperor Constantine?
Emperor Constantine removed all the restrictions imposed on Christians by his predecessors and made a proclamation in the town of Milan in Italy. This historically important ‘Edict of Milan of AD 313’ declared complete religious freedom to all the people in the country. All Sundays were declared public holidays. Following this, Christians started their day worship on Sundays.
Later Emperor Constantine became a Christian and the best thing he did for the growth of the church was to conduct the first ecumenical council in AD 325 in the city of Nicaea in Asia Minor (part of modern Turkey).
- What is the significance of ‘Sleeba Perunnal’?
Under the leadership of Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, a group of people went to Jerusalem and searched for the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified and found it. The Church commemorates this event on September 14th as ‘Sleeba Perunnal’.
- What were the heretical teachings of Arius and Macedonius?
Macedonius, the bishop of Constantinople started teaching that though Son of God was of the same essence as God the Father, the Holy Sprit was not equal to the Father and the Son. The heresy of Arius that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ
- Why was Pope Leo angry with Mar Dioscorus?
Mar Dioscorus of Alexandria presided over the council. In this council that was attended by most of the Church leaders, representatives from Rome also took part. Pope Leo of Rome sent a letter known in history as the ‘Tome of Leo’ to be read in the council. Since the contents of the letter were contradictory to the convictions of the previous councils, the president did not allow the letter to be read in the council. Therefore the Pope was angry with Mar Dioscorus.
