In the year A.D. 33 Jesus Christ was crucified under the Roman provincial governor Pontius Pilate. His followers believe that His death was sacrificial and atoning and that three days after His death He rose from the dead. After Jesus ascended into heaven His Apostles preached His message all over the known world. Tradition says that St. James the brother of Jesus led the Church in Jerusalem, St. Peter founded the Church in Rome, St. Mark founded the Church in Alexandria, St. Andrew founded the Church in Byzantium, St. Thomas founded the Church in Musiris, St. Simon founded the Church in Canterbury, and both St. Peter and St. Paul co-founded the Church in Antioch. These seven churches are known collectively as the Seven Patriarchates and the successors of these Apostles are known as Patria