Early Christian art and architecture from the 4th century featured images of Christ and the apostles that appeared in the catacombs of Rome. Symbols like crosses, fish, and other Christian icons began to be incorporated into mosaics and sarcophagi during this period as Christianity became more accepted. Significant churches were also commissioned, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem built under Constantine and his mother St. Helena.

1. Persecution &
Triumph:
Christianity in
the 4th Century
Y. A. Monsoun

2. Part V
Early Christian Art & Architecture

3. Christ and the Apostles Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome

4. Christ as Good Shepherd
Catacombs of Marcellinus and
Peter

5. Mosaic from the 4th century house of
Eustolios includes crosses, fish, and
other Christian symbols.

6. Fish = Ichthys in Greek (ΙΧΘΥΣ in the Greek alphabet)
ΙΧΘΥΣ is an acronym for Jesus Christ of God Son Savior

7. Santa Pudenziana Rome 4th Century

8. Jesus Among the Apostles Sarcophagus of Stilicho

9. St. George Sofia, Bulgaria

10. The Church of
the Nativity in
Bethlehem
commissioned
by Constantine
and his mother
St. Helena