Persecution, toleration, and the imperial Church
Christians faced uneven local and empire-wide persecution before the early fourth-century change in imperial policy. The 313 agreement associated with Milan granted legal toleration; Christianity's later establishment as the imperial religion was a separate development.
Historical context
The Great Persecution began in 303 and did not end everywhere at once. Constantine's policies altered the Church's public position but did not resolve its theological disputes.
Key points
- Distinguish toleration in 313 from the later late-fourth-century imperial establishment.
- Study the new opportunities for public worship alongside new political pressures on bishops and councils.
Primary sources
The 313 text grants:
The imperial rescript preserved by Eusebius explicitly grants Christians freedom to practice their religion.
granted to these same Christians freedom and full liberty to observe their own religion
Passage context and translation
The decree also extends freedom of observance to others and orders confiscated Christian meeting places restored. It marks legal toleration, not an immediate end to every anti-Christian action.
Before the excerpt
in order that you may know that we have
After the excerpt
Since this has been granted freely by us to them, your devotedness perceives that liberty is granted to others also