Divisions
The separations between Christian churches, ordered by century. Each tradition tells them in its own words; these are the 10 the site records.
5th century
The Christian church of the Sasanian Persian Empire, already self-governing from the early fifth century, did not receive the Council of Ephesus (431) that condemned Nestorius.
The Council of Chalcedon (451) defined that Christ is one person "in two natures".
9th century
863–867
A conflict between Pope Nicholas I and Photius, patriarch of Constantinople, over the deposition of his predecessor Ignatius, the mission to Bulgaria and the authority of the bishop of Rome.
11th century
1054
The separation between the Latin Church in communion with Rome and the Orthodox churches of Byzantine tradition.
14th century
1378–1417
For nearly forty years two, and then three, rival popes in Rome, Avignon and Pisa competed for the allegiance of Latin Christendom.
15th century
The execution of Jan Hus at Constance (1415) set off a reform movement in Bohemia that demanded, among other things, communion in both kinds for the laity.
16th century
1517–1555
A movement begun by Martin Luther in 1517 that, starting from a dispute over indulgences, challenged the doctrine of justification, the authority of popes and councils, and the sacramental system of the medieval Church.
A current that judged the reforms of Luther and Zwingli insufficient and sought a church of committed believers separate from the state.
1534–1563
The break of the Church of England with Rome, formalised by the Act of Supremacy of 1534, which declared Henry VIII supreme head of the Church in England.
19th century
1870–1889
Groups of Catholics, mostly German-speaking, who rejected the dogmas of papal infallibility and universal jurisdiction defined by the First Vatican Council (1870).