The origin of the term
The word "catholic" was first recorded around 110 AD by St. Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans.
Derived from the Greek word katholikos (meaning "universal"), it was used to distinguish the widespread global church from smaller local congregations.
If you want to dive deeper into early Christian history, let me know if you'd like to explore:
The linguistic roots (kata + holos) and why "universal" made sense.
Other writings by the Early Church Fathers
The timeline of the Great Schism when the church fractured
Derived from the Greek word katholikos (meaning "universal"), it was used to distinguish the widespread global church from smaller local congregations.
If you want to dive deeper into early Christian history, let me know if you'd like to explore:
The linguistic roots (kata + holos) and why "universal" made sense.
Other writings by the Early Church Fathers
The timeline of the Great Schism when the church fractured
31-35, F