The earliest Christians were already calling their community the "Catholic Church"—a term first recorded in the 1st and 2nd centuries. From Saint Ignatius of Antioch to early martyrdom accounts, this title signified the universal, apostolic faith. Astonishingly, it's the very same Church that millions still call home today, preserving the same name, mission, and message across nearly 2,000 years. In this article, we’ll uncover the earliest surviving references of the term "Catholic Church".

Category: Historical