Church History
✦33 AD - 2026
Christian Traditions Timeline
A vertical overview of the ancient catholic apostolic Church, the major East-West and Reformation divisions, and the continuing Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Charismatic communities today.
33 AD - 2026
Christian Traditions Timeline
One apostolic root, visible historical branchesApostolic Catholic Church
The Church begins from the apostolic witness to Christ's death and resurrection: one ancient, episcopal, sacramental Church spread across East and West.
c. 107-110Catholic means universal
Ignatius of Antioch uses the phrase Catholic Church very early, meaning the universal Church gathered around Christ, bishops, Eucharist, and apostolic faith.
325-787Ecumenical councils
Core doctrine on Trinity, Christ, worship, and icons is clarified through the great councils.
451Oriental Orthodox churches
After Chalcedon, the Armenian, Coptic, Syriac, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Malankara traditions continue as ancient churches.
1054East-West Schism
The one ancient catholic Church in East and West suffers a lasting rupture. The Latin West continues in communion with Rome; the Greek East continues as the Eastern Orthodox communion.
Roman Catholic Church
Western catholic line centered on Rome
ancient root, continues to 2026♜Eastern Orthodox Church
Eastern catholic/orthodox line through the patriarchates
ancient root, continues to 2026Protestant Reformation
Western Christianity divides further through disputes about authority, justification, Scripture, sacraments, and reform.
Protestant families
Not 30,000 lines drawn literally, but a visual picture of repeated branching.
Christianity today
Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Charismatic communities all continue, with very different structures and histories.