Summary
The Edict of Milan (313) by Constantine the Great is a document that established religious tolerance within the Roman Empire, specifically favoring the spread of Christianity. The passages indicate that Constantine's administration actively supported Christian communities, as seen in the flourishing church founded by the Apostle in Corinth, where Christians were saluted "in all Achaia" and commended for their charity. The edict represents a pivotal shift from persecution to acceptance, allowing Christianity to grow openly under imperial protection.
The book's main themes include the legalization of Christian worship, the administrative tolerance that enabled church expansion, and the historical context of early Christian communities. Readers learn how Constantine's policy directly impacted the spread of Christianity across Roman provinces like Achaia, as documented by scholars such as Ramsay and Mommsen. The takeaway is a concrete understanding of how the Edict of Milan functioned as a practical tool for religious freedom, not merely a symbolic gesture, but a legal framework that transformed Christianity from a persecuted sect into an officially tolerated religion.
Key concepts
- Edict of Milan (313) — A decree by Constantine the Great establishing religious tolerance in the Roman Empire, favoring the spread of Christianity.
- Achaia — A Roman province where the Apostle founded a flourishing Christian church, as mentioned in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians.
- Second Epistle to the Corinthians — A biblical letter saluting Christians "in all Achaia" and commending their charity, cited as evidence of early church growth.
- Ramsay and Mommsen — Scholars referenced for their works on the provinces of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity.
- Constantine's administration — The imperial government under Constantine that actively tolerated and supported Christian communities.
From the book
Title: Edict of Milan (313) by Constantine the Great← Catholic Encyclopedia ( 1913 ) → related portals : Reference works Shortcut : CE also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia ; an English-language encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia Press. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and it was completed in April 1914, and was designed to give "authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine". Supplement 1 included here. 42098 Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 Contents (not listed in original) Front Matter To the Knights of Columbus Preface Tables of Abbreviations Volume 1: Aachen–Assize Volume 2: Assizes–Browne Volume 3: Brownson–Clairvaux Volume 4: Clandestinity–Diocesan Chancery Volume 5: Diocese–Fathers of Mercy Volume 6: Fathers of…
See Priesthood, Jewish .For works with similar titles, see Abaddon . ← Aaronites Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) Abaddon by Anthony John Maas Abana → From volume 1 of the work. 89199 Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) — Abaddon Anthony John Maas Abaddon , a Hebrew word signifying (1) ruin, destruction (Job, xxxi, 12); (2) place of destruction; the Abyss, realm of the dead (Job, xxvi, 6; Prov., xv, 11); (3) it occurs personified (Apoc., ix, 11) as Ἀββαδών , and is rendered in Greek by Ἀπολλυών , denoting the angel-prince of hell, the minister of death and author of havoc on earth. The Vulgate renders the Greek Apollyon by the Latin Exterminans (that is, "Destroyer"). The identity of Abaddon with Asmodeus, the demon of impurity, has been asserted, but not proved. In Job, xxvi, 6, and Proverbs, xv,…