His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the structure of Church history, dividing it into clear stages for better understanding. The first period extends from the foundation of the Church by the Apostles until the first schism at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D., when the Church was known as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

🔹 The First Period of Church History:
This period includes the age of the Apostles and their disciples, the Apostolic Fathers, the defenders of faith, the era of martyrdom until the Edict of Milan (313 A.D.), the rise and flourishing of monasticism, theological schools, ecumenical councils, and the resistance of heresies.

🔹 The Work of the Holy Spirit:
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that the strength of the early Church came from being led by the Holy Spirit—He chose the servants, guided the councils, and empowered the preaching. Through His work, Christianity spread miraculously across the world within only 35 years.

🔹 The Early Apostolic Churches:
The first church in the world was the Church of Jerusalem, called the “Mother Church,” founded by the Apostles. From it, the message spread to all nations. Other great churches followed—Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome.

🔹 The Position of the Churches:
According to historical order, the major churches were founded as follows: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and then Rome. Political influence later affected their ranking, giving Rome and Constantinople prominence because they were imperial capitals.

🔹 The Alexandrian Leadership:
The Church of Alexandria held theological and doctrinal leadership, with figures such as St. Athanasius and St. Cyril the Great, who defended the Orthodox faith against heresies and guided ecumenical councils.

🔹 About the Church of Rome:
Pope Shenouda provides biblical and historical evidence that St. Paul, not St. Peter, preached in Rome and stayed there for two years. Peter was not the bishop of Rome; rather, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, sent by Christ Himself.

🔹 Spiritual Message:
The Pope concludes that the true success of the Church in every age depends on the work of the Holy Spirit within her, just as in the apostolic era. The true Church remains faithful to the Apostolic faith and guided by the Holy Spirit.

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