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Large parts of Asia were also [[evangelize]]d very early on, including Georgia (Saint [[Nino of Cappadocia]]), Armenia (Saints [[Gregory the Enlightener]], [[Mesrob Mashtots]], and Isaac the Armenian), Syria and the Middle East, Persia, and even India ([[Apostle Thomas]] [[evangelize]]d the Hindus; and later Saint [[Pantanaeus of Alexandria]]).
In Europe, the situation became dire for converts as early as the 2nd century. The Romans began major campaigns of persecution against Christians in France in the 2nd century and in Spain in the 3rd century. Britain’s first martyr, Saint [[Alban]], died in 303. However, with the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Empire in 380, Christian [[evangelists]] were given free reign to spread the faith. The Byzantines were very active in evangelizing the pagan peoples in their vicinity. As Bishop of Constantinople, St John Chrysostom sent missionaries to the Slavs, the Goths, the Phoenicians, the Scythians, and the Persians.
The close of this period of church history is marked by the apostolic labors of Saint [[Patrick of Ireland]] (390 - 461), who led the entire nation of Ireland to faith in Christ and established the extraordinary missionary tradition of the Irish Church.