As the third millennium gets into its stride, this book charts ahistory of the western church, tracing its evolution from itsgenesis at Caesarea Philippi to the consecration of women to thepriesthood. The development of the church as a fundamental characteristicand dynamic of western civilisation is traced through the identifi cation oftwenty defi ning moments in its fortunes, both sacred and secular, uponwhich the work of Christ has been sustained. Each event is analysed withinthe context of the holy ongoing mission of the church, and its long andshort term signifi cance explored. It is an attempt to recognise its divinetenacity in the western world, and beyond, in the face of human weaknessfrom without and from within.

As the third millennium gets into its stride, this book charts ahistory of the western church, tracing its evolution from itsgenesis at Caesarea Philippi to the consecration of women to thepriesthood. The development of the church as a fundamental characteristicand dynamic of western civilisation is traced through the identifi cation oftwenty defi ning moments in its fortunes, both sacred and secular, uponwhich the work of Christ has been sustained. Each event is analysed withinthe context of the holy ongoing mission of the church, and its long andshort term signifi cance explored. It is an attempt to recognise its divinetenacity in the western world, and beyond, in the face of human weaknessfrom without and from within.