Emperors
In which century did Emperor Nero blame the great fire of Rome on the upstart community of Christians?
1st century
When and where was the first ecumenical council held?
Nicaea 325
Who is credited with bringing the Christian faith to Ethiopia in the fourth century?
St. Frumentius (d. 383)
Which heresy was addressed at the council of Nicaea?
This heresy held that Jesus is not 'consubstantial' with God but a 'creature' of God given the unique task of accomplishing salvation of all humanity.
Arianism
(named after Arius, the 4th century Alexandrian priest who proposed this theological claim)
What term means “right teaching"?
This is officially accepted as the authoritative (Christian) teaching
orthodox
Which emperor targeted members of the Church using a 'ritual sacrifice' test and a 'little booklet (aka libellus)?
Decius (249-251)
Where and when was the fourth ecumenical council called?
Chalcedon 451
Which African saint is credited with founding eremitic (hermit style) monasticism?
St. Anthony of Egypt (d. 354)
Which heresy was addressed at BOTH the Council of Ephesus (431) and the Council of Chalcedon (451)?
This heresy claimed that Mary is not the 'mother of God (the divine Logos)' or Theotokos but merely the 'mother of Christ' or Christotokos.
Nestorianism
(named after Nestorius, a 5th Bishop of Constantinople who proposed this theological claim)
What is a belief or opinion contrary to the orthodox (Christian) doctrine?
HINT: this only applies to those Baptized and in obstinate denial of a central truth of the Christian faith
heresy
Which emperor attempted to wipe out Christians as a whole by burning sacred texts, confiscating sacred vessels, and killing bishops?
Diocletian (284-305)
Who called the Council of Nicaea (the first ecumenical council)?
Emperor Constantine
Which saint said the following lines before willfully accepting his execution during the reign of Trajan:
“I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God.”
"If you remain silent about me, I shall become a word of God. But if you allow yourselves to be swayed by the love in which you hold my flesh, I shall again be no more than a human voice."
St. Ignatius of Antioch (d.107)
Which 2nd Century heresy was coined from a Greek word that means “to seem” and taught that Jesus only appeared to have a body and was not truly incarnate?
HINT1: Adherents of this heresy viewed matter as inherently evil, and therefore rejected the idea God could actually appear in bodily form. By denying Jesus truly had a body, they also denied He suffered on the cross and rose from the dead.
HINT2: This heresy is attributed to Gnostics
Docetism
What is a ‘worldwide’ assembly of all Catholic bishops, including the pope called in response to a pressing issue or concern for faith and morals?
HINT: the Catholic Church recognizes 21 of these
ecumenical council
Which emperor protected Christian worship (and their non-participation in Roman religion) legal in the Roman Empire through the Edict of Milan in 313?
Constantine
Who called the fourth ecumenical council?
Pope Leo I
Which saint is famous for writing his famous First Apology (explanation of Christian faith and liturgy) to Emperor Antoninus Pius, in which he provides a detailed account of the Mass, which reflects exactly how the Mass is still celebrated today (2023)?
[Hint: this saint called Christianity the "true philosophy"]
St. Justin martyr (d.165)
Which 5th Century heresy was address at the Council of Chalcedon (451) and led, unfortunately, to a rift in the Church producing what came to be known as (1) the 'Oriential Orthodox' Church and (2) the 'Catholic Church'?
HINT: This heresy taught Jesus’ humanity was absorbed by His divinity. Its name is derived from the Greek words for “one” “nature”. In essence, the heresy claimed Jesus had only one nature: a third unique nature (a blend of human and Divine) was possessed by Jesus
monophysitism
What is the term derived from the Greek root terms for "dwelling alone"?
This is the mode of life pertaining to persons living in seclusion from the world, under religious vows and subject to a fixed rule, as monks or nuns; originally lived in eremitic (hermit) style, later expanded into cenobitic (community) style
monasticism
During the reign of which emperor was St. Ignatius of Antioch (bishop and martyr) killed?
Trajan (98-117)
Where was the second ecumenical council held?
Council of Constantinople (381)
Which saint, according to legend, *slapped Arius in the face at the Council of Nicaea?
*He was kicked out of the council
St. Nicholas of Myra (d. 343)
Which 2nd Century heresy taught Jesus was simply a man who was tested by God and after passing the test was given supernatural powers and [welcomed] as a son into the Godhead (which occurred at His baptism)?
Adoptionism
Where was the third ecumenical council held?
Council of Ephesus (431 AD)
What is term for the orthodox Christian doctrine regarding how Jesus is both human and divine?
This holds that Jesus is one person with two complete, in-tact natures (one human + one divine)
hypostatic union