Course info

This course is intended to provide an introductory survey of the history of the Orthodox Church, her life and experience in changing contexts to the ninth century. It seeks to orient students to basic issues that will arise throughout the history of the Church. The issues addressed include: factors that contributed to the rise, expansion, and eventual triumph of Christianity; spread of Christianity in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe; Christian relation to Judaism, the Roman state, Greek philosophy, and other aspects of the surrounding culture; major heresies; schisms; Apostolic Councils; etc