FOURTH AGE OF THE CHURCH

POPES

A. D.

308–310 St. Marcellus, Jan. 16.

310–310 St. Eusebius, Sept. 26.

311–314 St. Melchiades, Dec. 10.

314–335 St. Sylvester, Dec. 31.

336–336 St. Mark, Oct. 7.

337–352 St. Julius, April 12.

352–366 Liberius, Dec. 11.

366–384 St. Damasus, Dec. 11.

385–398 St. Sericius.

399 St. Anastasius, April 27.

ANTIPOPES

356 Felix.

366 Ursicinus.

ROMAN EMPERORS

305 Dioclesian and Maximian Herculeus abdicate, April 27, Aug. 18.

411 Galerius, April 27.

306 Constantius Chlorus, April 27.

307 Severus.

313 Maximinus, May 27.

325 Licinius, April 27, Aug. 18.

312 Maxentinus, April 27.

337 Constantine the Great, May 2, Aug. 18.

340 Constantine the Younger, May 2.

361 Constantius, Jan. 14, May 2.

350 Constans, May 2.

363 Julian the Apostate, Jan. 25, July 25, March 22, Jan. 24, June 14.

364 Jovian, July 11.

EMPERORS OF THE WEST

375 Valentinian I., Dec. 7, June 14.

383 Gratian, Dec. 7, 11.

388 Maximus, Nov. 11, Dec. 7, March 27.

392 Valentinian II. March 27, Dec. 7.

394 Eugenius, Dec. 7, March 27.

Honorius.

EMPERORS OF THE EAST

378 Valens, June 14, Dec. 7.

395 Theodosius the Great, Feb 21, March 27, Dec. 7, Sept. 10.

Arcadius, Sept. 10.

COUNCILS

311 Of Donatus at Carthage.

313 Rome, Dec. 10. against the Donatists.

314 Arles first, against the Donatists. Dec 31, a which three British bishops present May 26.

Ancyra.

Neocæsarea.

Rome, Dec. 11.

320 Alexandria, against the Arians.

325 General Council of Nice, against the Arians, Dec. 31, Feb. 26, May 2.

326 Antioch.

335 Tyre, Arian against St. Athanasius, Sept. 11, May 2.

Jerusalem, Arian, May 2.

336 Constantinople, Arian.

339 Alexandria, May 2.

Constantinople, Arian.

341 Rome, May 2, June 7.

Antioch, Arian May 2.

345 Antioch, Arian.

347 Sardica, April 12, July 16, May 2.

Philippopolis, Arian, May 2.

348 Carthage, first, Aug. 28.

349 Sirmium, Catholic.

350 Gangre, mov. feasts.

Laodicea, mov. feasts.

351 Sirmium, semi-Arian, May 2.

358 Sirmium, Arian, April. 25, May 2.

359 Rimini, April 25, May 2, Dec. 11.

Seleucia, Jan. 14.

362 Alexandria, May 2.

368 Rome, Dec. 11.

370 Rome, Dec. 11.

373 Rome, against Apollinaris.

380 Saragossa, against the Priscillianists, April 25.

381 Aquileia, Dec. 11.

Gen. Constantinople, May 9, Dec. 11, Mar. 9, Feb. 12, Nov. 21.

390 Carthage, second.

397 Carthage, third, Aug. 28, in which a catalogue of the books of Scripture was published.

398 Carthage, fourth.

Carthage fifth.

ECCLESIASTICAL WRITERS

St. Methodius of Tyre, Sept. 18.

309 St. Pamphilus, M. June 1.

Lactantius, Aug. 9.

SS. Anthony, Jan. 17, and Pachomius, May 14.

312 St. Lucian, Jan. 7.

338 St. James of Nisibis, July 11.

Eusebius of Cæsarea, July 16.

362 St. Marcellus of Ancyra, March 22.

St. Prudentius, Dec. 10.

369 St. Hilary of Poitiers, Jan. 14.

370 Lucifer of Cagliari, May 2, Dec. 15.

373 St. Athanasius, May 2.

379 St. Basil, June 14.

St. Ephrem, July 9.

384 St. Damasus, Dec. 11.

St. Optatus, June 4. (old. ed. July 1.)

385 Didymus, Sept. 30.

387 St. Cyril of Jerusalem, March 18.

389 St. Gregory of Nazianzen, May 9.

395 St. Amphilochius, Nov. 23.

396 St. Gregory of Nyssa, March 9.

397 St. Ambrose, Dec. 7.

399 Evagrius of Pontus, March 3.

St. Pacien, March 9.

FATHERS AND SAINTS

Among the Fathers and Saints of the Deserts were eminent:

St. Paul, Jan. 15, Lower Thebais.

St. Anthony, Jan., Coma, Upper Egypt

St. Amnou, Oct. 4, Egypt.

St. Pachomius, May 14, Egypt.

Theodorus, Upper Thebais, Dec. 30.

Two SS. Macariuses the Elder, January 16, Upper Egypt.

St. Pammon.

St. Pambo, Sept. 6.

St. Isidore, Jan. 15, of Sceté.

St. John of Lycopolis, March 27.

St. Hilarion, Oct. 21, in Palestine.

St. Julian Sabas, Oct. 18, in Mesopotamia.

St. Abraham, March 15, in Mesopotamia.

St. Ethram, Mesopotamia, July 9.

St. James of Nisibis, July 11, in Mesopotamia.

St. Serapion the Sindonite, March 21.

St. Serapion, Abbot of Arsinoe, March 22.

St. Paul, Anchoret, March 7.

St. Aphraates, Anchoret in Persia, April 7.

St. Prior, Hermit, Egypt, June 17.

St. Julian, Anchoret, July 6.

St. Thais the Penitent, Oct. 8.

St. Marcian, Anchoret, Cyrus, Syria, Nov. 2.

Other Saints of this age

St. Zeno, Bishop of Verona, April 12.

St. Phæbadius, Bishop of Agen. April 25.

St. Kebius, Bishop, England. April 25.

St. Monica, W., May 4.

St. Servatius, Bishop of Tongres, May 13.

St. Maximus, Bishop of Triers, May 29.

St. Illidius, Bishop, June 5.

St. Philastrius, Bishop of Brescia, July 18.

St. Macrina, Virgin, July 19.

St. Joseph of Palestine, July 22.

St. Liborius, Bishop of Mans, July 23.

St. Donatus, Bishop of Orazzo, Aug. 7.

St. Helen, Empress, Aug. 12.

St. Justus, Archbishop of Lyons, Sept. 2.

St. Mansuet, Bishop of Toul, Sept. 3.

St. Evurtius, Bishop of Orleans, Sept. 7.

St. Paphnutins, Bishop, Sept. 11.

St. Donatian, Bishop of Rheims, Oct. 14.

St. Mello, Bishop of Rouen, Oct. 22.

St. Flour, Bishop, Nov. 3.

St. Mathurin, Priest, Nov. 9.

St. Martin, Bishop of Tours, Nov. 11.

St. Spiridion, Bishop, Dec. 14.

HERETICS

A. D.

311 Donatists, (first edition, July 1,) June 4, Aug. 28, Dec. 10.

Meletians, Nov. 26, Feb. 26.

319 Arians, Feb. 26, Jan. 14, May 2, June 7, 8, July 16, Nov. 26, mov. feasts.

Semi-Arians, ibid., mov. feasts.

Colluthians, Feb. 26.

325 Audiani.

362 Macedonians, March 18, June 7, Nov. 23.

Eustachians, March 18.

Aetians, Anomæans, mov. feasts, Jan. 27.

Aerians, mov. feasts.

Photinians, May 2.

377 Apollinarists, July 9, Dec. 11.

Collyridians, Aug. 15.

Bonosiari.

Schism at Antioch, Jan. 27, Sept. 30, Dec. 11.

380 Priscillianists, Aug. 28, Nov. 11.

Helvidians, Sept. 8.

389 Jovianists, Sept. 8, 20.

390 Massilians, Nov. 23.

EVENTS

Persecutions

In the tenth most bloody persecution, begun by Dioclesian, and continued by his successors, till Constantine, besides the martyrs who suffered at the end of the third century, are honoured in this, St. Peter Balsam, under Maximinus, Jan. 3; St. Lucian, under the same, Jan. 7; Saint Marcellus, under the same, Jan. 16 St. Agnes, Jan. 21; St. Vincent, Jan. 22; both under Dioclesian; St. Blase, Feb. 3; Sain Phileas, Feb. 4, under Licinius; St. Soteris Feb. 10; St. Saturninus, Feb. 11; both under Dioclesian; St. Elias, &c., Feb. 16, under Galerius; St. Tyrannio, &c., Feb. 19, under Dioclesian; St. Serenus, Feb. 23; St. Adrian, Mar. 5; St. Apollonius, March 8, under Galerius; the forty martyrs, March 10, under Licinius; St. Irenæus, March 24, under Dioclesian; St. Apian, April 2; St. Agape, &c., April 3, under Dioclesian; St. Odesius, April 8, under Galerius; the eighteen martyrs, April 16; Saint George, April 23; St. Marcellinus, April 26, St. Anthimus, &c., April 27; Saint Didymus. April 28; St. Pollio, April 28; all under Dioclesian; St. Victor, May 8; St. Boniface, May 14; both under Galerius; St. Pancras, May 12; St. Theodotus, May 18; St. Julius, May 27; St. Cantius, May 31; all under Dioclesian; St. Basiliscus, under Maximinus, May 27; Saint Pamphilus, June 1, under Galerius; St. Marcellinus, June 2; St. Erasmus, St. Vitus, June 15; St. Cyr, June 16; St. Nicander, June 17; St. Alban, June 22; St. Julias, &c., July 1; St. Phocas, July 3; SS. Nabor and Felix, July 12; St. Justa, July 20; St. Victor, July 21; Saint Pantaleon, July 27; St. Simplicius, July 29, St. Julitta, July 30; all under Dioclesian; St. Quirinus, June 4, under Licinius; St. Thea, July 25, under Maximinus; St. Afra, Aug. 5; SS. Justus and Pastor, Aug. 6; St. Cyriacus &c., Aug. 8; St. Euplius, Aug. 12; St. Timothy, &c., Aug. 19; St. Genesius, Aug. 26; SS Felix and Adauctus, Aug. 30; all under Dioclesian; St. Timothy, Aug. 22. under Maxentius; St. Adrian, Sept. 8, under Galerius; St. Gorgonius, Sept. 9; St. Protus, &c., Sept. 11; St. Euphemia, Sept. 16; St. Ferreol, Sept. 18; St. Januarius, Sept. 19; St. Cyprian, &c., Sept. 26; SS. Cosmas and Damian, Sept. 27; all under Dioclesian; St. Methodius, Sept. 18, under Maxentius; St. Marcus, &c., Oct. 4; St. Justina, Oct. 7; St. Domninus, Oct. 9; St. Tarachus, Oct. 11; St. Faustus, Oct. 13; St. Felix, Oct. 24; all under Dioclesian; St. Cæsarius. Nov. 1; St. Vitalis, Nov. 4; the four crowned brothers, Nov. 8; St. Mennas, Nov. 11; all under Dioclesian; St. Theodorus, Nov. 9, under Galerius; St. Crispina, Dec. 5; St. Leocadia, Dec. 9; St. Eulalia, Dec. 10; St. Lucy, Dec. 13; St. Gregory of Spoletto, Dec. 24; St. Anastasia, Dec. 25; St. Sabinus, Dec. 30; St. Anycia, Dec. 30; all under Dioclesian.

327 In the persecution of Sapor in Persia, suffered St. Sadoth, &c., Feb. 20; St. Daniel, &c., Feb. 21; St. Acepsinius, March 14; St. Jonas, Mar. 29; the 126 martyrs of Hadiabena, April 6; the Roman captives, April 9; St. Bademus, April 10; St. Simeon, &c., April 26; Saint Azades, April 22; St. Barhadbesciabes, July 21; St. Barsabias, Oct. 20; St. Milles, Nov. 10; Saint Narsis, Nov. 30.

380 St. Sapor, &c., Nov. 30. Vide Saint Maruthas, Dec. 4.

The Catholic Bishops, who were chiefly persecuted under the Arian emperor Constantius, were St. Athanasius, May 2, with almost all the rest of the Bishops of Egypt; St. Eustathius of Antioch, (banished by Constantine,) July 16; St. Paul of Constantinople. June 7. Lucius of Adrianople; St. Hilary of Poitiers Jan. 14; St. Paulinus of Triers, Rhodon of Toulouse, St. Dionysius of Milan, St. Eusebins of Vercelle, Dec. 15; Lucifer of Cagliari, Dec. 15; St. Asterius of Petra, St. Potamon of Heraclea, May 18; St. Serapion of Thmuis, Mar. 21; Asclepas of Gaza, May 2.

372 Under Athanaric the Goth, suffered St. Sabas, April 12; St. Nicetas, Sept. 15.

362 Under Julian the Apostate, suffered St. Juventius, &c., Jan. 25; St. Basil, March 22; Sain Gordian, May 10; SS. John and Paul, June 26; St. Bonosus, Aug. 21; St. Artemius, Oct. 20. St. Theodoret, Oct. 23; St. Biblana, Dec. 2.

CONVERSION OF NATIONS

A. D.

330 The Ethiopians are converted by St. Frumentius, Oct. 27.

The origin, irruption, conversion, and persecution of the Goths—in their conversion they embraced the Catholic faith, not Arianism, April 12.

On the religion of the Persians, Nov. 30.

DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE

Divinity of Christ, Feb. 4.

Ceremonies used in baptism, holy oil, chrism, character, March 18.

Confirmation distinct from baptism, character, Mar. 18.

Real Presence, March 9, 18, June 4, (first ed. July 1,) June 14, Dec. 7.

Transubstantiation, March 9, 18.

Mass, March 9, 18.

Viaticum, Dec. 11.

Eucharist kept in churches after the sacrifice, June 4, Dec. 7.

Penance and confession, the power of forgiving sins, March 9, 18, June 14.

Bishops consecrated by one bishop, April 9.

Celibacy of the clergy, March 14, Jan. 14, Sept. 11.

On the Church, March 9. Name of Catholic, March 9. Unity of the true church, March 9, June 4, (first ed. July 1.) Necessity of being united to the apostolic see of Rome, as to the centre of unity, June 4, (first ed. July 1.)

Tradition, March 9, 13.

Miracles, Sept. 19.

On the use of the sign of the Cross, Mar. 18, July 9, Dec. 9.

Pictures in churches, Dec. 11.

The B. V. Mary called ??? ?????, (Mother of God,) March 9, 18.

The custom of carrying blessed candles on the Purification, March 18.

Invocation of Saints, March 9, Feb. 12, May 9, June 14, July 9, Dec. 11.

Churches dedicated in honor of saints, April 23.

Prayers for the souls of the faithful departed, March 18, May 2, July 9. Purgatory, July 9.

Respect to relics, March 18, May 9, June 4, (first ed. July 1,) June 14, Dec. 7.

Vows of continency, April 22.

On the excellence of virginity, Sept. 18, Dec. 7.

Ceremony of virgins consecrating themselves to God, Feb. 11, Dec. 7.

The election of the archbishop of Constantinople confirmed by Pope Damasus, Dec. 11.

Confirmation of bishops in the western patriarchal, Dec. 11.

St. Ascholius appointed apostolical vicar, Dec. 11.

On the fast of Lent, March 9, 18.

Penitential canons, by St. Gregory of Nyssa, Mar. 9.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES

A. D.

305 St. Anthony founds his first monastery, Jan. 17, May 14.

St. Augustin institutes the Order of Regular Clerks, Aug. 28.

St. Pachomius, draws up a Monastic Rule in writing, May 14.

St. Basil writes his longer and shorter rules for monks, June 14.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS

363 Julian in vain orders the temple of Jerusalem to be rebuilt, March 18.

Fictitious history of Marcellinus, April 26.

Deaths of persecutors, April 27.

Schools erected by the Jews at Babylon and Tiberias, July 22.

On the study of the canon law, Nov. 26.

312 The vision of the emperor Constantine.

326 Constantine gives orders for the building of Christian churches; the dedication of St. John Lateran, Nov. 9.

336 Invention of the Cross, May 3.