COUNTDOWN TO 2000

441-560 A.D.

441-460 A.D.
One of the most dramatic meetings in Church history occurred in 452 when Pope Leo the Great met Attila the Hun near Mantua, Italy. Leo spent a great deal of time shoring up the primacy of the papacy and the authority of the Holy See. 'Let none attempt anything contrary to the authority of that see,' he once wrote. But that power would mean nothing if the barbarians destroyed Rome, so Pope Leo confronted Attila. The general agreed to withdraw his troops, persuaded either by the Pope or by his own troop losses, lack of food and the rapid approach of Roman divisions. Leo would repeat his appeal three years later with Gaiseric, another Vandal. This time, however, Rome was plundered.
Elsewhere in time
Vandals destroy Roman fleet...Venice founded by refugees fleeing Attila the Hun...Skandagupta is named Emperor of India...Eastern Emperor of Rome and Pope share the same name: Leo...
461-480 A.D.
A Sardinian, Pope Hilarus (sometimes called Hillary) had giant obstacles to overcome. First, when he went to a disputed council prior to becoming pope, his arrest was ordered, and he had to flee for his life. Second, he succeeded Leo, who was called "the Great" and who became a Doctor of the Church. Third, he reigned just as the Roman Empire collapsed in the west, leaving the papacy exposed to the barbarians who were flooding into Italy to rule. Hilarus' lasting legacies to the Church include three chapels -- dedicated to St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist and the Holy Cross. The first two still stand and can be visited. A measure of how well Hilarus did despite these obstacles is that he was canonized. His feast day is Feb. 28.
Elsewhere in time
Last Roman emperors serve in west...Huns withdraw from Europe...Mayan civilization flourishes in Mexico...Shinto shrines appear in Japan...Boethius born in 480...Lyons becomes capital of Burgundy...
481-500 A.D.
Sometimes, great moments in Church history involve people who weren't exactly Catholic. Take the case of Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths. A believer in the Arian heresy, Theodoric was appointed by Emperor Zeno to govern Italy. There, he made sure to tolerate both the Catholics and his fellow Arians, allowing the former more freedom than his fellow rulers and staying out of Church matters as much as he could. Asked to mediate a dispute between Pope Symmachus and a challenger, Theodoric eventually came down on the side of the Pope. When Zeno attempted to promote Monophysitism, another heresy, Theodoric protected Catholics. That's a lot of pro-Church work for a Germanic ruler whose peers rarely hesitated to suppress Catholicism.
Elsewhere in time
Incense is introduced into church services...Anglo-Saxons adopt shirts, tunics and coats in place of togas...Plans for Vatican Palace drawn up...Pre-Incan culture begins in Peru...
501-520 A.D.
One of the foremost 'run-aways' of his era became one of the greatest saints of all time, and his influence is still felt a millennium-and-a-half later. St. Benedict (480?-543) found the world of his times so filled with woe -- schisms, wars and falling moral standards -- that he decided to become a hermit. But others were soon attracted to his lifestyle, and he decided that groups of men could live apart from the world. Eventually, he directed the building of one of the world's most famous monasteries: Monte Cassino, in Italy. Scores of Benedictine monasteries would later spread throughout Europe. More than buildings, however, Benedict left the world the rules of monastic life that still inspire people. His feast day is July 11.
Elsewhere in time
Wu-Ti, emperor of China, becomes a Buddhist and introduces that faith to his nation...Clovis begins consolidating his authority as King of the Franks...Justin I becomes Byzantine Emperor...
521-540 A.D.
The first pope of German descent (although he was born in Rome) was Boniface II, who served from 530-532. He was chosen by his predecessor, Felix IV. Summoning the clergy of Rome as he was dying, Felix handed the papacy to Boniface. But when Felix died, the majority of clergy, perhaps worried about a non-Italian holding such authority, elected Dioscorus instead, setting up rivals for the papacy. The dispute lasted only 22 days, however, because Dioscorus died. Pope Boniface then announced that popes should be able to name their successors and selected Vigilius. But he was soon forced to reject his own doctrine -- and Vigilius. Three popes -- John II, Agapitus I and Silverius -- would rule in just four years before Vigilius was elected on his own in 537.
Elsewhere in time
Boethius, Roman scholar, executed...Dionysius Exiguus, a mathematician, wrongly dates birth of Christ -- just as Church of Nativity is being built in Bethlehem...King Arthur, according to legend, is killed in battle...
541-560 A.D.
Author, scholar, statesman. That describes one of the most outstanding people of the sixth century, but few today know his name: Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus (485-580). An Italian who served as a secretary and consul under the Ostrogothic kings, Cassiodorus strove to reconcile the barbarians and the conquered Romans. He then founded a monastery. Although never a monk himself, he was a patron of the monks, who devoted their time to prayer, study and copying books. Some of those books were the work of Cassiodorus, who composed a history of the Goths, published a collection of letters, penned a family genealogy, commented on the Bible, created instructions for monks, outlined which books of theology were important and wrote a treatise on the soul. Thanks to him, the Church's early culture and heritage were preserved.
Elsewhere in time
Earthquakes and plagues shake world...St. David converts Wales to Christianity...chess develops...
561-580 A.D.
Imagine the plight of Archbishop Leander of Seville, Spain. Like many older brothers, he might have lorded it over his younger sibling. After all, Leander was an archbishop. But his kid brother, Isidore, would not only succeed him as archbishop, he would also become a theologian, encyclopedist, Doctor of the Church and saint. St. Isidore of Seville (560-636) presided over the Fourth Council of Toledo, which established uniformity in rites and worship. The Council also ordered that no Jew should be forced to become a Christian. Considered the most learned man of his time, Isidore wrote about Scripture, doctrine, mysteries of the Faith, virtues, the priesthood and reason. As if that were not enough, he also composed an encyclopedia of all the secular and religious knowledge available in his times. His feast is April 4.
Elsewhere in time
St. Columba begins converting the Picts...Mohammed, founder of Islam, born...Persia and Byzantine Empire wage war...
581-600 A.D. The Church calls him Gregory the Great, but he called himself 'the servant of the servants of God.' Only two popes in 2,000 years have been called 'the Great' -- Leo in the fifth century and Gregory, who reigned from 590-604. He was so humble that he compared his election as pope to 'a monkey being ordered to become a lion.' Even a partial list of his accomplishments is impressive: he sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to convert the inhabitants of England; made efforts for a peaceful instead of forced conversion of Jews; directed the creation of a picture Bible for illiterates; wrote a manual on the duties of priests; promoted monasticism (he was the first monk to be named pope); founded the Schola Cantorum to preserve and promote Church music; and lent his name to a famous musical form: Gregorian chant. His feast is March 12.
Elsewhere in time
Visigoths in Spain begin converting to Christianity...plague breaks out in Rome...Barbarian invasions of Europe stop...China prints books...
601-620 A.D.
Most Catholics know something about THE St. Augustine, but more of them should know about St. Augustine of Canterbury. Called "The Apostle of England," he was the first archbishop of Canterbury, a title now held by Anglican bishops. An Italian monk, Augustine and 30 of his fellows were commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons. The monks succeeded in converting King Ethelbert of Kent, and many of his subjects followed suit. Under Augustine's leadership, Christianity spread throughout England, churches were built and a bishopric was established at London. Augustine died in 604 and is buried in Canterbury. His feast is May 26 in England and May 28 elsewhere.
Elsewhere in time
Gregory the Great is succeeded by Pope Sabinian...Mohammed's daughter, Fatima, born...Japanese ambassadors sent to China...Pantheon in Rome becomes a Catholic church...Norse invade Ireland.