For two thousand years the Christianity from dogma of small Judaic sect turned into world religion. With what country did distribution of Christianity begin? How it occurred and what were consequences?
The Christianity affected world culture and art stronger than any other religion and promoted emergence of the modern Western world. Even a modern way of chronology – one of consequences of penetration of Christianity into world culture.
As the Christianity extended
Long time Christianity remained a marginal current of Judaism. There was it in Palestine in the 1st century AD, having extended at first among local community as one of currents of Judaism which at that time there was a set. Already in the first half a century of the existence the Christianity became popular dogma among a great number of the ethnic groups inhabiting the Roman Empire. It was promoted much by the adherents of the new doctrine traveling around the Roman Empire and the next to it to the countries. According to the legend, Jesus Christ's pupils were engaged in dissemination of the doctrine directly. Active preachers of new religion were not stopped even by persecutions and threat of the death penalty.
Contrary to popular belief, the Roman Empire did not become the first Christian state in spite of the fact that the emperor Konstantin adopted Christianity shortly before the death and promoted his distribution in the territory of the country. Great Armenia was the first.
However the role of Rome in distribution of Christianity is very big. Exactly thanks to empire size the territory of influence of new religion extended so promptly.
As Armenia adopted Christianity
Before adoption of Christianity by Armenia the locals treated new religion more than watchfully. Christians and also those who helped them to take cover were executed as, according to the authorities, this dogma could undermine foundations of the state system and paganism. According to the Armenian legend, the pagan tsar Trdat executing Saint maidens-ripsimeyanok after one of them refused to become his wife, seriously got sick from the shock caused by their execution. His sister Hosrovadukht dreamed that only release from Saint Grigory's dungeon will be able to cure it. After the released Grigory was accepted in the palace, the tsar recovered. On places of death of maidens-ripsimeyanok, chapels were built. Impressed with these events, the tsar Trdat adopted Christianity together with all the country.
Church hierarchy – the Armenian invention. In each earth, the subordinate Trdatu and to his vassals, it was appointed on the bishop.
Thus, Great Armenia became the first Christian state, having outstripped Rome, Greece and Ethiopia.