This Week in Christian History

Friday, October 29, 2010	Send to a Friend    Free Newsletters

283 - A Sand Pit for Chrysanthus and Daria Chrysanthus felt something new stirring in his heart. A wealthy young man, educated in the arts and sciences of third century Rome, he had stumbled across Christian writings and scriptures. These made more sense to him than his previous studies. He converted to Christianity and looked for someone to teach him more. Read the full article here 312 - Constantine Triumphed under Sign of Cross The world experiences red letter days that no historian dare ignore. One of them occurred on October 28, 312 when a 32-year-old claimant to the Roman Empire defeated his chief rival to the throne. Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, Rome. He honored Christian bishops and meddled in their affairs the rest of his life. Constantine was baptized on his death bed, the first Roman emperor to embrace Christianity. Read the full article here 1636 - A College Named for John Harvard John Harvard was a wealthy member of the English middle class. The death of most of his family from plague had left him holding the entire Harvard estate. John came to the new world in 1637, apparently to practice his faith in a simpler and more pure style than he felt he could enjoy in the established Church of England. The following year he died of a protracted disease. He willed half his estate and his entire library for the establishment of a college. Read the full article here 1751 - Puritan Hymn writer Philip Doddridge Eighteenth century England produced many excellent hymn writers whose hymns are still sung today -- Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and the Puritan Philip Doddridge, who died on October 26, 1751. Read the full article here