Early Christianity

WHS where some physical remains relevant to the period of "Early Christianity" may be seen. "Early Christianity" is "commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Christ (c. 30) and the First council of Nicaea (325)" (Wiki) which was called by Constantine to develop a consensus of Christian belief from within the wide variety of interpetations which had developed. It is normally divided into 2 periods a. The Apostolic Age - Crucifixion to death of John the Apostle (c 110) b. The ante Nicene Period

World Heritage Sites connected to 'Early Christianity':

  • Aquileia Mosaics from the reign of Bishop Theodore (314-318AD)
  • Damascus "House of Ananias" 1st century AD. Believed to be the house where Ananias baptised Saul and later became a Christian church. It "is the only early Christian house of worship from the first century to survive" in Damascus (Wiki).
  • Echmiatsin and Zvartnots The Cathedral was originally built in AD 301- 303 (and rebuilt in 480) by St Gregory the Illuminator who had been brought up as a Christian in Caeserea and later converted the Armenian king. His son, Aristakes of Armenia, attended the council of Nicaea.
  • Rome A number of the Catacombs were constructed by Christians in 2nd century for burials and some services. There are some reamins from that period e.g Mural of Christ Teaching the Apostles ("Last Supper"), Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome, c. 300 AD.
  • Tárraco Paleo Christian Cemetery