History is a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes or a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events. In this category you will find our history books - general surveys of history and books related to specific periods of history in the Church such as the Patristic Era or the Middle Ages.

"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity." Cicero

George Dion Dragas St. Cyril of Alexandria offers us here the clearest Biblical understanding of the Orthodox Priesthood on the basis of a Christian exposition of the Old Testament Priesthood. The general principle that Christ did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill, holds true for the Priesthood of the Law as well. St. Cyril explains how the Priesthood of the Law is fulfilled and …

John Anthony McGuckin St. Cyril of Alexandria: The Christological Controversy describes the turmoil of 5th century Christianity seeking to articulate its beliefs on the person of Christ. The policies of the Theodosian dynasty and the conflicting interests of the patriarchal sees are set as the context of the controversy between Nestorius of Constantinople and Cyril of Alexandria, a bitter …

St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims . This book is a new release and will be ready December 1st! Tells the authentic story of St. Francis' trip to the Sultan in Egypt and efforts to convert him to the One True Faith. Also includes a brief biography of St. Francis, including his stigmata, the Franciscans, St. Clare, and St. Francis' view of the Crusades. A book greatly …

Translated and annotated by Henry Davis, SJ St. Gregory deals with the great responsibility of the episcopal office and its onerous nature. The Ancient Christian Writers series is a monumental project which brings the English-speaking work key selections from the remarkable literature of early Christianity -- vertiable trasures of Christian faith and theology in superb translations.  

This work, which establishes Irenaeus as the most important of the theologians of the second century, is a detailed and effective refutation of Gnosticism, and a major source of information on the various Gnostic sects and doctrines. 

By St. John Damascene Translated by Mary H. Allies

Imprimatur: Patrick Sheridan - Vicar General, Archdiocese of NewYork

St. Laurence And The Holy Grail - The Story Of The Holy Chalice Of Valencia Janice Bennett Many scholars are convinced that The Holy Chalice of Valencia is the Holy Grail, celebrated in medieval legends as it was venerated by monks in the secluded Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, built into a rocky outcropping of the Spanish Pyrenees. The tradition of Aragón has always insisted that the …

Macarius the Great (also referred to as Macarius of Egypt or Macarius the Egyptian) presided over a loosely knit scattering of ascetic monastic communities in the fourth century Egyptian desert. He enjoyed great respect during his lifetime and his fame was further spread after appearing in Palladius' Lausiac History. This volume presents three ancient texts , The Sayings of Saint Macarius, The …

In this book one sees the marvelous way in which Padre Pio dealt with people to heal their bodies, souls and hearts-through miracles, providential coincidences and other remarkable answers to prayers. Madame Tangari (who was herself a remarkable person) describes how she met Padre Pio, how she became his spiritual daughter and how he guided her during the last eighteen years of his life. She …

Translation by John Clarke, O.C.D. Prepared by Marc Foley, O.C.D. This study edition is designed to assist contemporary readers to apply the spiritual insights of Story of a Soul to their lives. It provides introductions, reflections and discussion questions for each chapter of the text. Shortly before she died, Thérèse Martin predicted that her “Little Way” to holiness would be an inspiration …

"For two thousand years, the Catholic Church has housed an unruly family of saints, sinners and ordinary folks.  Its history is a record of a boisterous lot of people - inspiring, infuriating, sometimes frustratingly dull and often engagingly charming." - From the introduction With rich storytelling and a reader-friendly style, Father Al McBride spans twenty-one centuries of …

George Johnson, Sr. M Dominica, Jerome Hannan Originally published in 1935 and reprinted many times.  A famous textbook in Church history woven around the lives of the famous, influential saints who labored heroically in every age to spread the Kingdom of Christ.  7th through 12th grade level.  Copiously illustrated.  A wonderful introduction to Church history for …

By Stephanie Mann The persecution of Catholics began in 16th century England and tested the Church for over 250 years. Penal laws labeled Catholic believers as traitors and brought fines, imprisonment, and even execution. Prominent persons such as Thomas More, Edmund Campion, and Margaret Clitherow were martyred, while others quietly endured suspicion or harassment to teach and pass on their …

A strange title veils what is probably Hilaire Belloc's most important book. For here this great Catholic historian analyzes for us-in sort of a culminating statement-what is the position of the Catholic Church in the world today, particularly as seen vis-a-vis her enemies. It is the Church's enemies, he maintains, and the nature of their attacks upon her, that reveal what exactly is her place …

St. Symeon (942-1022), abbot, spiritual director, theologian and church reformer, was the great spiritual master of Eastern Christianity. His Discourses, the central work of his life, were preached to his monks during their Matins ritual. 

Edited by John Willis, S.J. The Fathers of the Church have been a vital source of wisdom and inspiration for countless saints, popes, peasants, and converts throughout the history of the Church. In this powerful one-volume library, Father Willis presents more than 250 selected doctrinal topics in an exhaustive selection of writings from the major sources of the Fathers. He lets the Fathers …

Foreword by Piers Paul Read For centuries, historians and novelists have portrayed the Knights Templar as avaricious and power-hungry villains. Who were these medieval monastic knights, whose exploits were the stuff of legend even in their own day? Were these elite crusaders corrupted by their conquests, which amassed them such power and wealth as to become the envy of kings? Indignant at the …

Familiarize yourself with some of the most amazing turning points in the fascinating history of Christ's Church. There are the saints and sinners, popes and kings that God used to shape his Church and change the world. You ' ll meet Clovis and Charlemagne, Luther and Pope Leo, Suleiman and St. Francis, the Arians, the Franks, the Huguenots, and others whose sins or sacrifices altered the …

St. Bonaventure’s love of wisdom was intimately related to his love of God—so much so that he is called the "Seraphic Doctor" for the ardor that accompanied his great mind. What does this sort of mind have to say about the history of man, a topic long dear to Christian thinkers, especially owing to the Incarnation and the expectation of the Second Coming? In this academic …