Tree of Life – Level 1

As perhaps most of you know, in the Arabian Desert, where now stands the city of Mecca, there fell from the skies, no one knows just when, a black stone. This meteorite, for actually this is what the stone is, became the impetus for the establishment of one of the world’s greatest religions. This stone was Read more

To many persons, mysticism may seem to be a doctrine as specifically devised as a religious dogma. Actually, however, mysticism is a state of mind. In almost every period of history, there were living in the same community, even as now, the theist, the pantheist, and the mystic, and others. The mystical principles Read more

The history of Christianity rightly begins with the birth of Jesus the Christ. The prophesies were now fulfilled. The Gospels relate the Master’s work and words. Yet, until he arose from the dead, those who followed him little realized the mission before him.Read more

Extremely little is known of Plotinus’ life. Far more is known of his doctrines, which greatly influenced early Christianity and which live today in the creeds of the churches.Read more

After its foundation by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Christianity followed the apostolic doctrine, as is mentioned in the Book of Acts, Acts 2:42 – “and they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine.”Read more

This lesson is about the growth of the church at Rome. Paul visited Rome and started a church there. It grew among the last terrible years of the Old Roman Empire. Through persecutions and trials, the small company grew and became the center of Western Christianity.Read more

Patrick was not, as is commonly believed, born on March 17; he did not drive the snakes and frogs out of Ireland. He was not an Irishman, did not believe himself a Saint, his true name was not Patrick, and there is considerable dispute as to whether or not he was a Roman Catholic. He was a Christian first and foremostRead more

Monasticism has always been present in Christianity. The Ancient Apostolic Church had an inner group of virgins and ascetics, and by the second half of the 3rd century men had adopted a form of anchorite life in the desert. Among them was Anthony who is considered the founder of anchorite monasticism in Christianity.Read more

Until comparatively recent years little was known of the life of Nicon, the great reformer, except that he was an ecclesiastical power in Russia during the 17th century. In many respects his effect upon the Greek Catholic Church was like the effect of Luther upon Roman Catholicism.Read more