Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 103
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Christianity in North Africa, Ethiopia, and Nubia (Sudan)
AD 300–900
A AD 311. Roman emperor
Galerius issues the Edict of
Toleration, which stops persecution of the church in North Africa.
However, persecution began again
briefly under Emperor Maximinus
Daia.
B AD 311. The Donatist division
emerges as the church struggles
with how to deal with people
who deny their faith because of
persecution. Some bishops—who
had handed over copies of the
scriptures during the time of
persecution—are considered
traitors, and barred from leading
by these Christians in North Africa.
C AD 313. Constantine, the
first Christian emperor, makes
a proclamation called the Edict
of Milan giving Christians the
freedom to worship and organize
churches. The era of persecution
officially ends.
AD 300
A
B
E
C
D
F
G
AD 350
H
D AD 325. Constantine organizes
the Council of Nicaea, the
first universal church council.
Delegates come from across the
Roman Empire including Africa.
The resulting Nicene Creed rejects
Arian beliefs and affirms Jesus’
full deity. Athanasius dedicates
his life to defending this orthodox
position.
E AD 330–1453. Byzantine Empire
(or Eastern Roman Empire).
I
AD 400
J
AD 450
AD 500
F AD 340.* Athanasius appoints
Frumentius to be the first
missionary bishop of Ethiopia.
Frumentius converts the young
king Ezana of Axum. Axum is one
of the great cities of the ancient
world. It was the capital of the
Kingdom of Axum, which included
parts of modern-day Eritrea,
Sudan, Somalia, northern Ethiopia,
Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.
K L
M
N
AD 550
Coins of the Kingdom of Axum (G).
Emperor Constantine (C).
Q
AD 600
* approximately
O P
R
S
G AD 350.* The Kingdom of Axum
becomes the first nation to use a
cross on its coins under Ezana, the
first Christian emperor of Ethiopia.
Many practices of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church are established
during Ezana’s reign.