Part 2/10:
In the early centuries of Christianity, the church existed as a unified entity, characterized by a shared faith and a belief in an Apostolic tradition. Guided by the teachings of the Apostles and led by bishops considered their successors, the church flourished across the Roman Empire. The five major patriarchates—Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem—exerted influence while maintaining doctrinal unity.
Early Christians viewed any division as a spiritual danger threatening the unity Jesus had envisioned, leading them to confront heresies vigorously. Ecumenical councils played a crucial role in maintaining this unity, protecting the church through periods of persecution and expansion.