intro
In the first three centuries of the Church, the vast majority of Christians lived under _________ government.
Roman
The Church grew in the first and second centuries even though Christians living under Roman rule suffered intense and brutal _________.
persecution
Christianity was formally
Illegal
__________ concludes the Acts of the Apostles with Paul in Rome.
St. Luke
_________ had become distinct from Judaism and other religions in the Roman Empire
Christianity
Christianity was finally not only tolerated but _________.
legalized
The Roman government declares Christians to be what
Illegal
When did persecutions under Decius begin
250
In spite of _________, the Churches enemies could not stamp out this new faith
persectutions
The sacraments of the Church were rooted in the words and actions of _________
Christ
Christian _______ helped to defend and explain Christianity to nonbelievers.
apologists
Some historical events exacerbated the persecution of the Christians by the _____
Romans
When did persecutions under Diocletian and Galerius begin>
303
Jewish communities established in the _________
Diaspora
The ______ is a song that is part of the Jewish Passover
Dayenu
The word ________ means "witness" in Greek
martyrs
In AD __, a fire swept through Rome, destroying much of the city
64
The Roman Empire stretched over territories throughout ______
Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
People who are undergoing a period of study
Catechumens
From the earliest days, ________, or assistants helped the Apostles in their work
deacons
Nero was quick to blame the fire on
Christians
Christians were vocal against what
Various immoral practices
They had to live with the constant fear that they could be _______ for proclaiming Christ publicly
Martyred
Incorrect or otherwise errant understandings or teachings
heresies
The history of the Sacrament of _________ is complex
Penance