In The Name Of Jesus

EPISODES

QUO VADIS?

Episode 1 – THE FIRST CHRISTIANS' ADVENTURES

Jerusalem, 30 A.D. – on the day of the Pentecost Thirty years have passed since the resurrection of Jesus. Stephan is freed from prison and meets an other disciple, John. All disciples reunite to replace Judas; Mathew is chosen. In heaven there appears a wonderful fire, and Peters calls all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to embrace the faith of Christ.

Episode 2 – SANHEDRIN'S FURY

31 A.D. - Peter continues to preach the word of Jesus, carries out the miracles, heals children, and restores to a cripple the ability to walk. A farmer and his wife then try to convert to Christianity for a matter of convenience, but die, alerting Peter to the reasons for their conversion. Saul – a Hebron from Jerusalem – accuses his disciples of blasphemy and has them arrested. But the Lord frees them, and they go to pray before the temple. They next go before Sanhedrin, proclaiming their faith. So as not to make martyrs of them, Sanhedrin decides to free them, on the condition that they no longer preach the name of Jesus.

Episode 3 – STONES AND BLOOD: STEPHEN AND SAUL

Peter asks of all the Christians that seven men be nominated to see to the needs of the community. On them he places his hands, infusing their hearts with the Holy Spirit. Stephen is then captured for blasphemy. He defends himself, proclaiming his faith, and is then stoned to death. All Christians are promptly denounced as blasphemers, and are forced to flee. In the year of 37 A.D., Saul follows them to a Syrian city, but on route to Domascus, the Lord appears to him, converting him. He then takes the name of Paul.

Episode 4 – PETER:THE FIRST APOSTLE

The Christians are now great in numbers. The priests of Jerusalem grow quite worried. Paul takes refuge in Tarsus, his childhood city. Peter runs to the bedside of his dying disciple, Tabitha. He reaches her after she has already died, but then revives her. Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, summons him that he might speak with other Romans. King Herod, to please the Roman Emperor, Caligula, decides to eliminate all Christians. The first to be decapitated is James. Peter, too, is captured, but is freed by an angel of the Lord. Right in the moment of his triumph, Herod is then blinded by the Lord for his sins.

Episode 5 – PAUL THE MISSIONARY

43 A.D. - The Hebrons attempt to convince the Romans to persecute Paul and the Christians. A sorcerer is then blinded by Paul for his sins. Paul, Barnabas and John set out to make their return to Jerusalem. Along the way, however, they are forced to flee the cities of Slamina, Listra and Derbe, where they try to stop off. They at last reach Antioch where they persevere in announcing the reign of God, founding communities of Christians in many cities of Asia Minor.

Episode 6 – SALVATION IN CHRIST FOR ALL

45 and 48 A.D. As Paul and Barnabas are about to reach Jerusalem, they are blocked by the Romans. A merchant bearing arms for sale – then prohibited items – is arrested. Paul and Barnabas stop off at Simonides. They then continue toward Jerusalem and reunite with Peter. Some Christians feel there is no need to unite with uncircumcised pagans, but the voice of Peter prevails, referencing to the word of Jesus. It is so decided that all will be baptized.

Episode 7– IF WE DIDN'T HAVE LOVE

45 and 48 A.D. Paul and Sila, in one of the numerous cities of Asia Minor governed by the Romans, are imprisoned for acting against the Roman State. Freed by the Lord, they head toward Anipli and Tessalonica. Bartholomew and Thomas also continue their journey; from what it appears, these two would later die as martyrs in India. Peter reaches Rome. The disciples die as martyrs one by one, preaching the word of Jesus, in the most remote lands of the known world. The Christians grow in numbers each day and in every part. In 50 A.D., Paul goes to Athens, but few listen to him, thus he goes to Corinth. The house where he stays, however, is burned and some of his disciples wish to take up arms against those responsible for the blaze. But Paul has them uphold the teachings of Jesus not to react to violence with violence... The Christians continue to multiply in Corinth, and the heads of Israel wish to kick them out of the cities, asking the Romans for help, but without success. Paul, after two years, sets out for sixteen years of apostolic travel. He is joined by Luke, a converted pagan, who will be the author of the third Gospel and the acts of the Apostles. In 60 A.D., Paul, reaches Rome; as a Roman citizen since his birth, he is there again accused for anti-Roman activities, and asks that he be judged by the emperor in person.

Episode 8 – A FIRE FOR NERO

Too, the Jewish communities in Rome reject and push back the teachings of Paul. Paul remains in Rome for years, in the company of Peter. In the end, he is tried before a Roman court that recognizes his righteousness and declares him free. In 64 A.D. Rome is burned. Tigellinus suggests that Nero hold Paul and the Christians responsible for the blaze.

Episode 9 – QUO VADIS?

Rome is devastated; many Christians are accused of starting the fire and for showing contempt towards the Romans. They are to be fed to the lions. In 67 A.D. Paul is decapitated. Peter continues his apostleship in Rome. One day, while he sets out to find some Christians, Jesus appears to him, instructing him to return to Rome. There Peter is crucified in the same year as Paul's execution.

Episode 10 – THE BREAD, THE WINE AND THE BLOOD

Years pass as Rome regains some of its ancient splendor; emperors come and go. Despite their evermore vicious persecution, the Christians form churches and communities in every part of the world – even in the most remote areas. In 258 A.D. Emperor Valerian decides to hunt down the Christians once and for all, striking down the heads of Church and government functionaries. Bishop Cyprianus is decapitated, but an immense following of Christians attends his execution and sings in his honor. Sebastian, a Roman tribune dear to the emperor, is sentenced to death because he is Christian. Shot by arrows fired from the imperial archers, he is saved by a Christian woman called Irene. Rather than flee, he goes before the emperor asking that he too convert. He will die a martyr.

Episode 10 – THE BREAD, THE WINE AND THE BLOOD

Years pass as Rome returns to its ancient splendor; emperors come and go. Despite their evermore vicious persecution, the Christians form churches and communities in every part of the world – even in the most remote areas. In 258 A.D. Emperor Valerian decides to hunt down the Christians once and for all, striking down the heads of Church and government functionaries. Bishop Cyprianus is decapitated, but an immense following of Christians attends his execution and sings in his honor. Sebastian, a Roman tribune dear to the emperor, is sentenced to death because he is Christian. Shot by arrows fired from the imperial archers, he is saved by a Christian woman called Irene. Rather than flee, he goes before the emperor asking that he too convert. He will ultimately die a martyr.

Episode 11 – IN HOC SIGNO VINCES!

The persecutions against the Christians continue, each more brutal than the last. Even certain Roman senators have converted, but even they too are persecuted. Sulpicius, a Roman consulate, threatens Agnes, a Christian patrician, and drops dead. The lady is declared a witch and is burned at the stake. But in 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine – during the battle of Maxentius – then sees a cross with the writing: “In hoc signo vinces”. The following year, he finally declares the Christians free to follow their religion as they please.

Episode 12 – AMBROSE FOR BISHOP!

Bishop Auxentius dies in 374 A.D. In the city, the Christians perhaps outnumber the pagans, but they are divided. Thus, the succession of Auxentius is a rather delicate matter. In the end, Ambrose is chosen, despite the request of the followers of Arius the heretic. The Aryans hire a hit man, who dies before reaching the new bishop. Emperor Valerian is killed by the Visigoths, who invade the Roman empire.

Episode 13 – AMBROSE AND THE EMPEROR

Emperor Valentinian II declares himself to be in favor of the Aryans, requiring that Ambrose give one of his own churches to the followers of Arius, but the Bishop refuses. Valentinian, despite the wishes of his mother, the Empress Ariana, decides not to punish Ambrose. Augustine, after having wrestled much doubt, is babtized in 387 A.D. He returns to Numidia – now Algeria – shortly thereafter. In 389 A.D., Theodosius, emperor of the orient, makes Milan the capital of the empire by defacto. In Thessaloniki, Theodosius gives his soldiers orders to massacre some civilians. Ambrose takes a harsh stance towards him, and forbids him from entering the church of Milan. In 390 A.D. The emperor bows before Ambrose, accomplishing the act of penitence. In 391 A.D. Theodosius abolishes all beliefs throughout the empire that are not Christian. In 395 A.D. The emperor dies, and is succeeded by Stilicho.

CHARLEMAGNE

Episode 1 – THE BARBARIANS IN ROME

Rome – 410 A.D. The eternal city has been besieged by Alaric and his Visigoths for years, as severe plague breaks out. Alaric lays a siege on Rome that will not cease until an enormous sum of money is paid. The Romans refuse, and the Visigoths invade the city, devastating it. Among the many fugitives are Andreas and John, sons of the patrician Crispinus; they go before Augustine, who has since become Bishop of Hippo, near Carthage. Here, the Donatists – members of a sect of Christain heretics – attempt to pit the Roman emperor of the west, Honorius, against the Catholics.

Episode 2 – THE CITY OF GOD

Flavius Marcellinus is sent to Carthage to settle the disputes between the Donatists and the Catholics. The Donatists are soon dissolved by authority of the emperor. Soon after, Augustine must intervene in the favor of Flavius Marcellinus, condemned to death, (although innocent), as he was involved in a revolt against the Romans. Despite the promises of Marin, bound to the emperor, Marcellinus is decapitated. Years pass... Augustine authors some of the most theologically significant works of all time that its followers will come to venerate more and more. In 429 A.D. The Vandals reach the Roman coasts of Africa. They devastate everything, even that which is Aryan-Christian. The refugees flee to Hippo. In 430 A.D. Augustine dies in the city he served as Bishop. His writings are retrieved and brought to a safe location.

Episode 3 – PATRICK

The Irish assault the Roman coasts of Britain, destroying them. Among the Romans is Patrick, who is condemned to slavery in Ireland. He is able to flee, and after six years, finds refuge in France. Shortly after, he decides to go to Rome, but stops off in Axuerre, where he becomes a monk. Upon his death, Palladius, Bishop of Ireland, is succeeded by Patrick in 432 A.D. The King of Ireland, then quite ill, invokes the blessing of Patrick and then heals, with the help of Patrick and his faith. The bishop then travels Ireland far and wide for roughly ten years. Ireland is soon taken by the religion of Jesus. In 443 A.D., Patrick goes to Rome to meet with Pope Leo the Great, who blesses Ireland as a Catholic nation. In 457 A.D. Patrick retreats to his convent, naming Benignus as his successor.

Episode 4 – TOTILA AND BENEDICT

541 A.D. Totila, king of the Ostrogoth, assaults Cuma, defeating the Byzantines, and continues on toward Rome. Along the way, he stops off at Monte Cassino in the monastery of Benedict of Nursia, erected by the future Saint along with his disciples. Benedict tries, in vain, to convince Totilus to mend his ways. The Abbot- Saint dies in 555 A.D.

Episode 5 – GREGORY'S MONKS

The Lombards attack the monastery of Monte Cassino. The monks flee. Gregorius becomes Pope and decides to lift up the people of Rome from its poverty and to engage in dialogue with the Lombards, asking for their help, against the advice of the Byzantines. Moreover, the new pontiff gives a decisive impulse to Catholic missions. Agilulf becomes king of the Lombards, and the peninsula is devastated by battles against the Byzantines. Pope Gregorius keeps the political climate in check, trying to serve as mediator between the two peoples. Augustine is sent to Britain to convert the pagan Saxons.

Episode 6 – CANTERBURY

In 590 A.D. Augustine disembarks at the mouth of the Thames river. He must deliver Pope Gregorius' letter to to King Æthelbert of Kent. In the future, after the Romans retreat back beyond the English channel, many conquests and migrations occur in northern Europe, and England is divided into various autonomous states. Æthelbert allows Augustine and his men to stop off in his land. In Canterbury, the monks give life to a communal monastery, and in no time, Christianity permeates the land of the Anglo-Saxons. However, the Britons – many of whom are Christian – do not wish to unite with the Anglo Saxons. King Æthelfrith, seizing the occasion, assaults the Christians. But the massacres serve only to unite the faithful, sprouting the seed of a community that will grow ever greater and stabler.

Episode 7 – THE WIND OF ISLAM

After the death of Mohamed in 682 A.D., the followers of Islam conquer a vast amount of territory in little time, but without imposing their ways on the local cultures of these territories. In 711 A.D. they form the Emirates of Cordoba, in Spain. There, they allow Christians to follow their own belief, provided they do so in private. The Saracens do not stop, and occupy Bordeaux., capital of Aquitania. The Aquitani ask for the intervention of Pepin, king of the Franks, and of Charles Martel, to defend them in the name of Christianity.

Episode 8 – POITIERS, THE VICTORY OF THE FRANKS

Pepin decides to intervene against the merciless Saracens, putting Frank troops at the command of Charles Martel. In Poiters during the year 732 A.D., two armies clash in a battle that will be forever recorded in the annals of legend. The Franks defeat the Saracens and force them to retreat.

Episode 9 – TWO KINGS FOR ONE KINGDOM

Episode 10 – THE IRON CROWN

King Carloman dies in 771 A.D., apparently of natural causes. Queen Gerberga, his widow, flees with her son Pepin, as a Carloman's brother Charles becomes king of all the Franks. Pope Adrian asks for help dealing with the siege in which King Desiderius – the last king of the Longobards – has seized Rome, forcing the Pope to nominate an heir to Carloman-- none other than Pepin, grandson of Desiderius! To no avail, Charles tries to secure an agreement with Desiderius, as the French cities fall apart, and must suffer attacks from the Saxons, defended with much difficulty by the remaining Franks. King Charles, who by then is called “Charlemagne” or “Charles the Great”, captures Desiderius and spares him his life, sending him into exile In 774 A.D. Charlemagne is proclaimed king of the Franks and Longobards, as well as the nobleman of Rome, becoming the possessor of Italy.

Episode 11 – ROLAND THE HERO

With his legendary sword, Druenda, Roland -- Chalemagne's most faithful knight-- is always near the king, ready to defend in the name of Jesus. And once more, a threat is posed by the Saracens. Charlemagne pays a Saracen governor by to hand over Saragossa; this governor, however, is deposed and the new governor has no intention of giving up without a fight. Charles the Great is forced to surrender. To cover his retreat, Roland sacrifices his life in Roncesvalles. His heroism will be sung of for centuries to come.

Episode 12 – CHRISTAINS IN EUROPE

After having defeated the Saracens, Charlemagne meets success after success. His army of Franks seems invincible; he dominates all of Europe in the sign of devout Christianity. He wishes to be Christian King of a great Christian, and the Holy The precursor to the Western civilization as we now know is born, with Aachen as its capital. A Saxon monk called Albindo converts the region once and for all. The Roman emperor of the West, Constantine, orders the destruction of many sacred images soon after. Charlemagne must take up arms yet again.

Episode 13–THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND OTHER KINGDOMS

In 799 A.D., during a procession, Pope Leo III is captured in Rome by some noble families averse to his papacy. The Duke of Spoleto frees him and offers him refuge. Charlemagne has the Pope re-enter Rome, escorted by a large army led by his son Ludwig. The great emperor calls upon all citizens of the empire to learn to read and write, orders that music and medical science be cultivated, and establishes free school for all. In Aachen, the Palatine Academy is is formed, a crucial cultural center during the era attended by Charlemagne himself. In 800 A.D., Charlemagne goes to Rome. The empress of the West, Irene, ever hostile towards the unification of Europe under a single crown, asks the Pope to drive him back. The Holy Father, however, confers to Charlemagne the title of Defender of Christianity in the Name of Jesus.