Church history Archives - Page 2 of 6

Catholic Church responded to plagues with penance, prayers

Apr 5, 2020

Although the coronavirus pandemic brings to mind plagues from centuries ago, both with quarantines, fast-spreading diseases and deaths, there is one big difference on the spiritual side: Today’s pandemic is not, save but a lone voice or two, described as God’s punishment on humanity.

By Carol Zimmermann

During plague, Catholic Church waived taxes, other requirements

Apr 4, 2020

Correspondence can reveal a lot about periods of history and the letters written by popes during the Black Death are no exception. These documents, often responses to questions, provide a window into a long-ago era that is getting renewed attention amid today’s coronavirus pandemic.

By Carol Zimmermann

Pandemic casts spotlight on a nearly forgotten martyr: St. Corona

Mar 28, 2020

She had become nearly forgotten. Little is known about the young woman who was killed for her Christian faith, presumably in the second century A.D. But now, a pandemic is shedding light on her: St. Corona.

By Catholic News Service

Leap year’s extra day has a Catholic origin

Feb 24, 2020

The extra day we get approximately once every four years is a way to adapt the calendar year to the astronomical year. But did you know the present system of calculating the leap years was designed around fixing the date of Easter?

By Donis Tracy

13th-century encounter points way to greater Christian-Muslim understanding

Nov 10, 2019

Eight centuries ago, St. Francis of Assisi took a risk when he crossed the battlefield between Crusader and Muslim forces near Damietta, Egypt, desiring to meet Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil and preach his faith in Jesus Christ.

By Dennis Sadowski

Byzantine church to mystery martyr unearthed near Jerusalem

Oct 24, 2019

Israeli archaeologists have revealed an elaborately decorated Byzantine church dedicated to an anonymous martyr that was recently uncovered near Jerusalem.

By Patty Nieberg