Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library will have an educational series focusing on “Ancient Empires” this spring. The next program in the series, “Ancient Empires: Early Christianity,” will take place on Saturday, April 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy.
Former architecture professor Sheba Akhtar will talk about the origins of Christianity, beginning with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (4 BCE), his baptism by John the Baptist (20 CE), and his crucifixion in Jerusalem (30 CE). Hear about the experiences of the Apostles during the reformation of Judaism, the conversion of the Apostle Paul (35 CE) and Christianity for gentiles, and the creation of the New Testament in the Christian Bible. Akhtar will also talk about Christian persecution by the Romans, the conversion of Constantine the Great, and the legalization of Christianity. She will conclude by sharing history on the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople/Istanbul, and the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.
Akhtar received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and taught art and architecture history for 20 years. She is the author of “Of Colour and Form” and numerous articles on art and architecture.
The series will conclude in May with a program on Early Islam.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library at 281-395-1311 or the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.