church-history
Historical studies on the development of Christian doctrine, early church writings, councils, and controversies.
St. Cyril’s Praise of Mary Paid Members Public
At the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the blessed St. Cyril of Alexandria uttered a litany of praise to the blessed Mother of our God Incarnate in honor of her being the holy and pure God-bearer. Here’s what this holy servant of Christ wrote: “Mary, Mother of God, we
The Reformation and Purgatory Paid Members Public
Quotations provided by William Albrecht. All emphasis is mine. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS It’s not surprising that Erasmus affirmed Purgatory since he was Catholic after all: “Even three hundred years after the birth of Christ, it was permitted to debate whether there was any fire in purgatory; some interpreted fire to
St. Optatus, Peter’s Primacy & the Papacy Paid Members Public
This lengthy extract from St. Optatus is taken from Optatus of Milevis, Against the Donatists (1917) Book 2. pp. 57-119. His statements affirm that the Roman Church is the See of Peter, and the grounds of unity which makes the Church one and universal. He further argues that to deviate
St. Maximus, Pope Honorius & the Papacy Paid Members Public
I share the following article on St. Maximus the Confessor from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Maximus of Constantinople. St. Maximus of Constantinople Known as the Theologian and as Maximus Confessor, born at Constantinople about 580; died in exile 13 August, 662. He is one of the chief names in the Monothelite
Gelasian Decree Pope Damasus & the Canon Paid Members Public
The Gelasian Decree (Decretum Gelasianum) is a Latin document dating from the 6th century AD, and is believed to be based on the decree of Pope Gelasius I (492-496 AD). The document mentions the canon list ratified by the Council (Synod) of Rome under the authority of Pope Damasus in
Samuel Clarke’s Trinitarian Subordinationism Paid Members Public
Dr. Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) was a Church of England divine who became the rector of the parish church of St. James, Westminster, a position he held until his death in 1729. Clarke became the focus of intense and heated controversy due to his unorthodox, “heterodox” views of the Trinity, which
Origen, Susanna & OT Canon Paid Members Public
I share Origen’s defense of the canonicity of the “History of Susanna,” which all the ancient apostolic communions accept as sacred Scripture. Origen refutes the objections raised against the book’s authenticity, and explains why the Jews rejected it. In his response, Origen shows his great familiarity with the
Martyrdom of Peter’s Wife Paid Members Public
According to Clement of Alexandria, there was a tradition which stated that Peter’s wife was martyred as the blessed Apostle looked and encouraged her: They say, accordingly, that the blessed Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced on account of her call and conveyance home, and called