The Expansion of Christianity
The great promoters of the spread of Christianity were the Apostles, acting in obedience to Christ’s commandment to proclaim the gospel to all nations.
The work of the Apostles does not complete the picture of the spread of Christianity in the ancient world. For the most part, the bearers of the first tidings of the gospel must have been ordinary, humble people – civil servants, businessmen, soldiers, and slaves.
By the time the Church obtained its freedom, in the fourth century, Christianity was deeply rooted in many parts of the near east, such as Syria, Asia Minor and Armenia; and in the west, in Rome and its surrounding area and in Latin Africa. The gospel also had a considerable presence in the Nile valley and in various parts of Italy, Spain, and Gaul.
Source: Jose Orlandis (A Short History of the Catholic Church, 2001)
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