Christianity began in the 1st century, after the death of Jesus, as a Judaic sect with Hellenistic influence in the Roman province of Judaea. The disciples of Jesus spread their faith around the Eastern Mediterranean area, despite significant persecution. The inclusion of Gentiles led Christianity to slowly separate from Judaism (2nd century). Emperor Constantine I decriminalized Christianity in the Roman Empire by the Edict of Milan (313), later convening the Council of Nicaea (325) where Early Christianity was consolidated into what would become the state religion of the Roman Empire (380). The Church of the East and Oriental Orthodoxy both split over differences in Christology (5th century), while the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church separated in the East–West Schism (1054). Protestantism split into numerous denominations from the Catholic Church in the Reformation era (16th century). Following the Age of Discovery (15th–17th century), Christianity expanded throughout the world via missionary work, evangelism, immigration and extensive trade. Christianity played a prominent role in the development of Western civilization, particularly in Europe from late antiquity and the Middle Ages.
christianity began in the 1st century after the death of jesus as a judaic sect with hellenistic influence in the roman province of judaea the disciples of jesus spread their faith around the eastern mediterranean area despite significant persecution the inclusion of gentiles led christianity to slowly separate from judaism (2nd century) emperor constantine i decriminalized christianity in the roman empire by the edict of milan (313) later convening the council of nicaea (325) where early christianity was consolidated into what would become the state religion of the roman empire (380) the church of the east and oriental orthodoxy both split over differences in christology (5th century) while the eastern orthodox church and the catholic church separated in the east–west schism (1054) protestantism split into numerous denominations from the catholic church in the reformation era (16th century) following the age of discovery (15th–17th century) christianity expanded throughout the world via missionary work evangelism immigration and extensive trade christianity played a prominent role in the development of western civilization particularly in europe from late antiquity and the middle ages