Nicene Atlas
Explore Christianity Through History, Theology, and Tradition
Begin with Jesus and the Apostles, follow the path through the Ecumenical Councils and the Great Schism, and meet the traditions of Christianity today.
Search people, events, councils, doctrines, fathers, and traditions.
The Christian Timeline
Drag, swipe, or click an event to read its story.
A sacred history path — drag, swipe, or click to explore
Explore the Traditions
After the timeline, here are the living traditions today — presented on their own terms.
The Catholic Church, in communion with the Bishop of Rome, is the largest body of Christians in the world.
A communion of self-governing churches that confess the faith of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
A family of traditions originating in the 16th-century Reformation; today extremely diverse.
Compare Traditions
Place two traditions side-by-side on authority, sacraments, salvation, Mary, the saints, and more.
Church Fathers
All fathers →- Clement of Romed. c. 99
Early bishop of Rome traditionally counted among the Apostolic Fathers.
- Ignatius of Antiochc. 35 – c. 108
Bishop of Antioch martyred in Rome; wrote seven letters en route to his death.
- Polycarp of Smyrnac. 69 – c. 155
Disciple of John the Apostle and bishop of Smyrna; martyred at extreme old age.
- Justin Martyrc. 100 – c. 165
Philosopher-convert and Christian apologist beheaded in Rome.
- Irenaeus of Lyonsc. 130 – c. 202
Bishop of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp; chief opponent of Gnosticism.
Ecumenical Councils
All councils →- 1. First Council of Nicaea325
Convened to address the teaching of Arius, who held that the Son was a creature made by the Father.
- 2. First Council of Constantinople381
Convened to settle continuing Arian and Macedonian controversies over the Holy Spirit.
- 3. Council of Ephesus431
Convened against Nestorius, who divided Christ into two persons.
- 4. Council of Chalcedon451
Convened against Eutychian monophysitism, which collapsed Christ's two natures into one.
- 5. Second Council of Constantinople553
Convened to clarify Chalcedonian Christology and condemn the 'Three Chapters'.