Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)

The Good Shepherd, Catacomb of Domitilla

The Christian Movement in the Second Century

I. Characteristics of the Movement

The Christian Movement in the Second Century

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

Orant figure from Priscilla Catacomb

Eucharistic fish and breadCatacomb of St. Callixtus, Rome

The Eucharist was central to early Christian worship and often pictured in catacomb frescoes.

Catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter

Agape Feast

The Christian Movement in the Second Century:

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

Portrayal of Women, common in catacomb art

The Christian Movement in the Second Century:

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

The Christian Movement in the Second Century

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

The Christian Movement in the Second Century: Internal Developments

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

The Christian Movement in the Second Century

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology:

The Christian Movement in the Second Century

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology:

1. refutation of specific charges

Internal Development, External Expansion & the Roman Response

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology:

1. refutation of specific charges

2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices

The Christian Movement in the Second Century:

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

1. Monepiscopate

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology:

1. refutation of specific charges

2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices

3. affirmation of superiority of Christianity over paganism

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion1. Eastern Mediterranean2. Western Mediterranean3. Beyond the Roman Empire

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

IV. Roman Responses to Christianity

A. The Nature of Pagan Piety

Anti-Christian Graffiti:

“Alexamenos is worshipping his god”

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

IV. Roman Responses to Christianity

A. The Nature of Pagan Piety

B. Misconceptions

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

IV. Roman Responses to Christianity

A. The Nature of Pagan Piety

B. Misconceptions

C. Persecution & Martyrdom

Early Christian Mosaic of St. Perpetua

Women as Heroines: Accounts of Women Martyrs

The Virgin-Martyr Agnes, Gold-Glass from fourth-century Rome

About 250 A.D., during the Emperor Decius’ short but furious persecution, persons suspected of Christianity were evidently obliged to clear themselves by sacrificing to the old gods, then taking out a certificate to protect themselves against further legal proceedings. This example comes from a papyrus found at Oxyrhyncus.

To the Commissioners of Sacrifice of the Village of Alexander’s Island: From Aurelius Diogenes, the son of Satabus, of the Village of Alexander’s Island, aged 72 years: ---scar on his right eyebrow.

I have always sacrificed regularly to the gods, and now, in your presence, in accordance with the edict, I have done sacrifice, and poured the drink offering, and tasted of the sacrifices, and I request you to certify the same. Farewell.

-----Handed in by me, Aurelius Diogenes.

-----I certify that I saw him sacrificing [signature obliterated].

Done in the first year of the Emperor, Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Pius Felix Augustus, second of the month Epith. [June 26, 250 A.D.]

Certificate of Having Sacrificed to the Gods(from persecution under Emperor Decius, c. 250

Damnatio ad bestias!

To the lion!

The Christian Martyr

St. Sebastian(in Renaissance imagination)

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response

I. Characteristics of the Movement

A. Worship

B. Organization

II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

A. Reasons for Writing

B. 3 Parts to an Apology

III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

IV. Roman Responses to Christianity

A. The Nature of Pagan Piety

B. Misconceptions

C. Persecution & Martyrdom