Paul and the Apostles travelled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, including Asia Minor, establishing churches in major communities, with the first churches appearing in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, then in Antioch, Ethiopia, Egypt, Rome, Alexandria, Athens, Thessalonica, Illyricum, and Byzantium, which centuries later would become prominent as the New Rome. Christianity encountered considerable resistance in the Roman Empire, mostly because its adherents refused to comply with the demands of the Roman state—often even when their lives were threatened—by offering sacrifices to the pagan gods. Despite persecution, skepticism, and initial social stigma, the Christian Church spread, particularly following the conversion of Emperor Constantine I in AD 312.
Paul and the Apostles travelled extensively throughout the Roman Empire including Asia Minor establishing churches in major communities with the first churches appearing in Jerusalem and the Holy Land then in Antioch Ethiopia Egypt Rome Alexandria Athens Thessalonica Illyricum and Byzantium which centuries later would become prominent as the New Rome Christianity encountered considerable resistance in the Roman Empire mostly because its adherents refused to comply with the demands of the Roman state—often even when their lives were threatened—by offering sacrifices to the pagan gods Despite persecution skepticism and initial social stigma the Christian Church spread particularly following the conversion of Emperor Constantine I in AD 312