This is Venetian artist Palma Vecchio’s depiction of Emperor Constantine I and his mother, Saint Helen, who greatly influenced his religious beliefs. Vecchio lived from 1480-1528. (Courtesy Photo) The ...

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon. ... We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire and after two, three centuries go by, lo and ...

The answer depends on the definition of church. If church means the people who adhere to Jesus' teachings, then Jesus began it. Some Christians believe that Peter founded the church at the behest of ...

(RNS) — History reminds us that when Christianity is captured by empire, it may flourish in power but withers in spirit. (RNS) — At the funeral of Pope Francis, one image stood out: Donald Trump, ...

History’s deepest currents are stirred not only by armies and decrees but also by the invisible workings of profound emotions ...

This raucous meeting, which took place exactly 1700 years ago, was one of the most important in Christian history. Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine and the fathers of the Council of Nicaea of ...

Key players in a high-stakes game of politics and theology. Like the king in chess, Constantine occupied a prominent position at the Council of Nicaea, but he did not actually do very much.