Final answer:
Nicolaus Copernicus was the first to challenge the geocentric theory with his heliocentric model in 'On the Revolutions.' The Roman Catholic Church banned his work after Galileo Galilei, who also supported the heliocentric theory, faced opposition and house arrest for his teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first person to write something counter to the geocentric theory was Nicolaus Copernicus, who proposed a heliocentric model in his work, On the Revolutions. This model suggested that the Sun, rather than the Earth, was at the center of the universe. The Roman Catholic Church initially did not take significant action against Copernicus's work until Galileo Galilei later championed it. Galileo adopted the heliocentric model and conducted public lectures and demonstrations challenging the traditional geocentric view. His support of the heliocentric system led to the Church's prohibition decree in 1616, which declared the Copernican doctrine to be 'false and absurd.' Galileo was eventually tried by the Inquisition and placed under house arrest, and his books were banned by the Church until 1836.