Milan Edict - Letter of Emperors Constantine and Litini, proclaiming religious tolerance in the territory of the Roman Empire. The Milan Edict was an important step towards the transformation of Christianity into the official religion of the Empire. The edict of us did not reach us, but he is cited by a lactanzem in his work "death of persecutors."

"1. Amazing that we are planning (to do) for the ever-benefit and benefit of the state, we, for our part, would first like to correct, along with the ancient laws, also the state structure of the Romans in general, as well as take measures to So that and Christians who left the image of the thoughts of their ancestors turned to good thoughts.

2. After all, on some reason, Christians embraced the zeal and such nerazuma seized (they) that they ceased to follow those ancient customs that for the first time may be their own ancestors and were established, but on their own arbitrariness, as well as The whims, they made themselves such laws that they wanted them alone, and various peoples were collected from no confidence.

3. When finally, our resolution appeared that they appealed to ancient custom, some of them were obeyed from fear, others were punished.

4. However, since most persevened in their main provisions, and we saw that the God of Christians were not revered and the God of Christians did not consist and properly serving, then, on the basis of considerations, to show our indulgent mercy and according to the permanent custom It usually makes the forgiveness of all people, we considered that our favor should be easier to spread and on them, so that Christians would have existed (within the law) and could organize their meetings, (but) without taking anything against the order.

5. In another message, we intend to specify the judges that they should be performed. We will envisage, in accordance with our generosity, they must pray their God for the well-being of our, states and their own so that the state will continue to be in perfectness, and they could have serenely live in their homes. "

1. This edict was made public in Nicomedia on the eve of the May Calend in the eighth consulate (gallery) and the second Maximian (30.04.311).

1. Licinities, having accepted the (his) troops and distributing it, crossed the army in the vivibility a few days after the battle. Arriving in Niccoming, he gave praise to God, the help of which won. In June (06/13/313), in the third consulate of His and Constantine, he ordered to disclose the prescribed posts of the church of the following content:

2. When I, Konstantin August, as well as I, Licinus August, safely gathered in Mediolan and took up all over the people's benefits and well-being, then, engaged in those cases that would be, among other things, useful for most people, we We decided that first of all should be ordered regarding those who kept the gig, that we give both Christians, and all the opportunity to freely follow the religion, which someone wishes, so that the divinity, what kind of self in the heavenly throne might stay in favor and mercy to us and all those who are under our power.

3. Therefore, we decided to think about this event well and mostly balanced, because they considered anyone at all to deny the opportunities, if anyone had turned his mind to the Christian rite or dedicated him to that religion that he had considered the most appropriate for himself to be the latest deity, Whose cult we observe the soul and heart, could provide us with ordinary favor and approval in everything.

4. Therefore, your welfody should be aware of what you want to cancel everything, without exception, withdrawn agreements regarding Christians, which were previously recorded and given to you on the debt of the service for preservation, and which began to be considered by our grace as completely illegal and alien, and What any of those who showed the desire to send Christian rituals can freely and simply afford to participate in them without any anxiety and trouble.

5. We decided that your duties should find the most complete expression in this, for, as you know, we have given it to Christians the opportunity to spend their religious rites freely and independently.

6. When you make sure that they are under our patronage, your welfare will understand that another was also given the opportunity to protect their rites equally open and freely in peace of our rule so that everyone is free in the right to choose religion. This was done by us to not see any infringement of someone as in the official status (Honor) and in the cult.

7. In addition, we found it expedient to decide on the persons confessing Christianity, that if those places in which they previously were going to were collected, were captured according to the messages, also given to you before in the established form on the debt, and Soon they were bought by someone from our Fisk or anyone else, they should be returned to Christians without charging the payment and without any cash claims, without resorting to deception and hooks (Ambiguitate).

8. Those who acquired (land) as a gift should be returned to their Christians as soon as possible, if those who received them for the service or acquired as a gift, will require that from our favor, let them ask the deputice to be about him and about They themselves took care of our grace. All this should be transferred through your mediation and without delay directly the Christian community.

9. And since it is known that these Christians owned not only those places that were usually collected, but also by others who were under the authority of their communities, that is, churches, and not individuals, all of them, according to the law set out above , without any doubt and disputes, you will tell you to return Christians, that is, their community and meetings, observing, of course, the above principle so that those who returned it without compensation according to we have hoped for compensation for damages from our favor.

10. In all this, you must have the aforementioned Christian community of your most active mediation to fulfill our disposal as quickly as possible and thereby take care of the conquest of the people in our grace.

11. May therefore be with us, as mentioned above, God's favor, which was already tested by us in so many enterprises, and our people were in prosperity and bliss at all times at our successors.

12. And so that everyone can have an idea of \u200b\u200bthe form and our favor, you should set these regulations everywhere in the form you prefer and convey (them) to generalSo that no one remains in the ignorance regarding the ruling from our favor. "

13. The orders presented in writing (attached) also oral recommendations that meetings should be restored in the same position. Thus, 10 years and about 4 months have passed from the nethettification of the church before its restoration.

The most important milestone in the history of Christianity is an edict, published by the winners of Maxation in Mediolan (Milan) in 313. He testified that the new government not only cancels all the senseless persecution of Christians, but also joins cooperation with this church, moreover - takes it to leading positions among other religions.

Edict about the versoity, officially canceled Diocletian persecution, was published by the former inspirer of anti-Christian politics in Nicomedia in 311. This act allowed Christians to "exist again" and arrange meetings without violation of public order. The Edict did not mention the return of confiscated property. Many Christians were released from prisons. Probably hopelessly sick gallery tried to enlist the support of another God's support. Shortly after the edict of trimming he died. Christianity was returned to legal position.

The following steps towards the Christian church have already made Libysins and Konstantin. Especially highly church historians appreciate Constantine, the whole life of fabulous Christians. Such an attitude towards them he inherited from the Father Constance of Chlorine, who even at the time of Diocletian did not allow serious repression in Gaul. With the Christianity of the future of the emperor, he probably also introduced his mother Elena, who, perhaps herself was a Christian.

Konstantin, like father, was indeed inclined to monotheism, to the recognition of one almighty deity. For a long time, the cult of this kind was popular in the empire, namely the cult of the "invincible sun." Gave tribute to this passion and the future emperor. It is argued that Konstantin finally bowed to Christianity described by us in the previous essay of the battle of the Mulserian bridge, in which the emperor felt the power of the intercessory of the Christian God. (At least, it is possible that without receiving benevolent forecasts from pagan fortuners and priests, Konstantin found other "priests", who won him, - Christians.) Probably, he saw all the benefits that could get a strong centralized state If you put yourself in service a strong, organized church, based, besides, on faith in a single God. At the same time, almost until the end of the life, Konstantin himself did not take baptism.

After defeat, Konstantin solemnly joined Rome, and then joined his possessions (i.e. to Gaul and Britain) former possessions of Maxation - Italy, Africa and Spain. Two colleagues - Licini and Konstantin - after the last victory over Maxencie met at the beginning of 313 in Mediolan. Here they confirmed their union, supported by marriage Licinia on the sister of Constantine, and adopted a new edict of violence. In fairness it should be noted that the initiative in the preparation of the medical edict came, probably from Licinia, and Konstantin only signed this decree. This act was much wider than Edict Galery 311.

The main thing was that the Milan Edict proclaimed warpiness, freedom of religion, i.e., equality of religions, canceled previous discriminatory orders. It was aimed at stabilizing the situation, the appearance of the empire. There is no doubt that the religious world in the Empire Constantine and Litini considered one of the indispensable conditions of the civilian world. As for Christians, Edict, of course, has opened wide opportunities in front of them, but so far only equalized them in rights with other believers. It was again confirmed by the cessation of persecution. Christians were granted the right to disseminate their teachings. They were immediately needed to be returned to the churches, cemeteries and in general, all that they were taken away. Edict promised compensation for damage from the state treasury through the court if the places of assembly were already purchased by private individuals.

It should be noted that for the first time in the Edict, the term "state gods" was omitted. The authors constantly appeal to a certain abstract heavenly deity, which has already spoken about the sympathy of Christianity.

In the future, Konstantin carefully followed the Christian Church to have all the privileges used by the pagan priests. This policy is B. more than "Opened the road to Christianity" than concrete measures prescribed in the Milan Edicte and implemented immediately after its publication.

Konstantin systematically put forward Christianity at first among all the cults. Pagan games were canceled, and private individuals were forbidden to bring victims to idols at home. The Christian clergy was freed from civilian duties, and church lands from total taxes, slaves at churches could be released without ordinary formalities. In 321, Konstantin commanded over the entire empire to celebrate Sunday. The church was given the right to receive property on the wills, Christians were admitted to the class of higher state posts, the Christian temples were built, which was forbidden to make imperial statues and images. At the same time, Konstantin personally took the most active participation In the resolution of church disputes, allocated troops to suppress the resistance of "heretics" (donatists, for example), initiated the convening of church councils (on which he also presided) and the unification of canonical establishments.

Donikeh Christianity (100 - 325 in P.?.) Shaff Philip

§25. Edicts about violence. 311 - 313 in P. X.

See References to §24, especially Keim and Mason (Persecution of DioCletian, PP. 299, 326 SQQ.).

Diocletian's persecution was the last desperate attempt by Roman paganism to win. It was a crisis that was supposed to lead one of the parties to a complete disappearance, and the other is to complete superiority. At the end of the struggle, the old Roman state religion almost exhausted its strength. Diocletian, cursed by Christians, retired from the throne in 305. Grow cabbage in the cabin, in his native Dalmatia, he liked more than rule the huge empire, but his peaceful old age was disturbed by a tragic case with his wife and her daughter, and in 313 When all the achievements of his reign were destroyed, he committed suicide.

Galery, a genuine sweeping of persecutions, made sure the terrible illness, and shortly before the death, he put an end to this slaughter with his noteworthy edict of violence, which was released in Niccomedia in 311 together with Constantine and Licenia. In this document, he stated that he could not make Christians abandon their malicious innovations and subjugate their numerous sects of the laws of the Roman state and that now he permits them to arrange their religious meetings if they won't perturb public order in the country. In conclusion, he added an important indication: Christians "After this manifestation of grace should pray his God O. The well-being of emperors, states and themselves, so that the state can flourish in all respects, and they could safely live in their homes. "

This edict is almost completed period of persecution in the Roman Empire.

For a short time, Maximine, whom Eusevia calls "the main of Tiranans", continued to steal and distort the church in the East, and the cruel pagan of Maksenia (the son of Maximian and the son-in-law) did the same in Italy.

But the young Konstantin comes from the distant East, already in 306 he became Emperor Gaul, Spain and Britain. He grew up at Diocletian's court in Nicomedy (as Moses at the court of Pharaoh) and was appointed his successor, but ran from the intrigue of Galery to Britain; There, the father proclaimed him with his heir, and the army supported him in this capacity. He crossed the Alps and under the banner of the Cross inflicted the lesion of the Mulseria Bridge near Rome; Parans-tyrant, together with his army, veterans died in the waters of Tibra on October 27, 312. A few months after that, Konstantin met in Milan with his co-guards and closet lithium and issued a new edict of violence (313), with which Maximine was forced to agree with Nomedia shortly before its suicide (313). The second EDIC was farther than the first, 311; It was a decisive step from hostile neutrality to benevolent neutrality and protection. He prepared the way to the legal recognition of Christianity as the religion of the Empire. It was ordered to return all confiscated church property, Corpus Christianorum, Due to the imperial treasury and all provincial urban authorities, the order was ordered immediately and vigorously to establish the full world and the emperors and their subjects were provided to God's mercy.

This was the first proclamation of the Great Principle: each person has the right to choose a religion in accordance with the requirements of his own conscience and sincere conviction, without coercion and interference from the government. Religion is worth nothing if it is not free. Faith under duress is not faith at all. Unfortunately, Constantine's successors starting with the Feodosius of the Great (383 - 395), they put on the Christian faith, excluding all the others, but not only this - they were also an orthodoxia, excluding any forms of disagreements that were punished as a crime against the state.

Paganism made another desperate jerk. Licinis, having quarreling with Konstantin, in a short time resumed the persecution in the East, but in 323 he was defeated, and Konstantin remained the only ruler of the Empire. He openly defended the church and was favorable towards her, but did not forbade idolatry, and in general, he remained faithful to the policies of the proclamation of violence until death (337). This was enough to succeed in the church, which had the vital power and energy necessary for victory; Paganism quickly fell into decline.

From Constantine, the last pagan and the first Christian emperor, a new period begins. The church rises to the throne of Caesar under the banner of the once despised, and now the revered and the triumphal cross and gives the new force and the brilliance of the ancient Roman empire. This sudden political and public coup seems wonderful, but it was only a legitimate consequence of the intellectual and moral revolution, which Christianity since the II century quietly and imperceptibly committed in public opinion. The cruelty of Diocletian's persecution showed the inner weakness of paganism. The Christian minority with his ideas has already controlled the deep course of history. Konstantin, as a wise statesman, saw the sign of time and followed them. The motto of his politics can be considered an inscription on his military steps associated with a cross: "Nose Signo Vinces" .

What a contrast between Nerona, the first emperor-persecutor, who traveled in the chariot between the rows of Christian martyrs burned in his gardens like torches, - and Konstantin, squeezing in the Nicene Cathedral in the middle of three hundred of eighteen bishops (some of them, like blinded pafnuti confessor, Paul From neokese and ascetics from the Upper Egypt, in coarse clothes, traces of torture were traces on their crippled, worried bodies) and giving the highest consent of the civil authority to the decision on the eternal divinity of the once crucified Jesus of Nazareth! Never, nor then, the world did not see a similar revolution, except in the quiet spiritual and moral transformation committed by Christianity himself at the time of his emergence in the first and spiritual awakening in the sixteenth century.

June 26, 1,700 years will be published by the decision of the emperors of St. Constantine and Licinia give Christians freedom throughout the Roman Empire. On the eve of this date and on the eve of the birthday of the Church - Pentecost - telling about Milan, the city in which this historical decision was made, his shrines and the life of his Orthodox community today. The cycle of articles discover the story about how Milan Edict was accepted. Statue of Emperor Constantine in front of Basilica San Lorenzo, Milan

The main thing in Milan Edichet: paganism lost the status of state religion

The most significant innovation of the Edict was not to stop persecution of Christians, but recognizing all the religions of the empire equal in rights. Lactations in writing "On the death of persecutors" quotes the document: "We give both Christians, and with all the opportunity to freely follow that religion, which one will wish, so that the divinity, what kind of self in the heavenly throne, could be in favor of favor And mercy towards us and all those who are under our power. Therefore, we decided to think about this event well and weighing this event, because they considered anyone to deny anyone to anyone, whether anyone had his mind to the Christian rite or dedicated to his religion, which he found the most appropriate for himself to the latest deity, whose cult We observe the soul and heart, might provide us with ordinary favor and approval in everything. "

About freedom of faith agreed at the wedding

The decision to give Christians freedom of assembly throughout the Roman Empire was accepted at the wedding of Constance, a consolidated sister of St. Konstantin, and its limit coherent. Flavia Julia Constance was one of the six children of the emperor Constance of Chlorine and Feodora, daughters (or stepdaughter) Emperor Maximin. For the sake of marriage at the Feodore, an important for his political career, the constant had to leave St. Elena. The wedding took place in Mediolan (modern Milan). The date of birth of Constance is unknown, but by the time of the wedding she was not more than 18 years old. Licinia's age approached 50 years.

The wedding took place after the victory of Konstantin over Maksenzi

Probably the celebration took place in February 313 years. A few months before, on October 28, 312, the famous victory of Konstantin troops took place over the Pretorians of the UsurPator Maxtence in the Mulserian Bridge, on the eve of which St. Konstantin saw the sign of the cross and the inscription "SIM WIND" (in hoc signo vinces, εν τούτῳ νίκα). Konstantin solemnly joined Rome. Wedding bonded the political union of co-guards. The decision on the wedding was made before the victory, probably in 311-312. Milan Konstantin arrived from Rome and remained in the city for about April.

The chief persecutor Christians could be invited to the wedding

According to one of the versions of historians, Diocletian could be invited to the wedding. The emperor who gone on peace at that time was sick, he remained to death for less than a year, and he did not leave his privacy in Dalmatia. Otherwise, historical curiosity would arise: the main pursuer of Christians who gave himself the name of Jupiter, would be present when approving the beliefs by the persecution of them. The version of the invitation of Diocletian is based on the fact that in 313 he had repaired relations with Konstantin and Litin. According to the report, Abrelliya Victor former ruler Even was poisoned. Failure to come could be perceived as a manifestation of the disloyalty of the new power and led to hostility.

Milan Edict was unveiled not immediately

When Milan Edict was signed and whether he was signed at all or between the co-guards was reached by an oral agreement, it is not known. For historians, the reference is the date 13 (26 in a new style) of June 313. This day is specified by Lactancy: in the June Ida, according to the Roman calendar, Licinius gave orders to the Presidency of Nicomedy (now reports, the city in Turkey) to make public a decree on the new position of Christians in the Empire.

Announces the classic of Russian church history Vasily Bolotov: "The imperial edicts were not particularly quickly communicated. They were sent (presented - Perfulgere) first the prefects that sent them to the lower heads. Prefectors accompanied these rescripts with their comments. These sacrifices at the end, a sufficient amount was obtained. Everyone acted within its power. It can be thought that the first edict of Galeria caused such a massive movement in favor of Christianity that the government found it necessary to furnish this transition by some conditions in order to prevent the spread of Christianity.

The text of the Milan Edicta is not preserved

As mentioned above, the lettering letter to the Nikomedy Presida leads lactations, but in the Codex Theodosianus 438 laws (Codex Theodosianus 438), the text of the Edicta is absent. The existence of the Edicta mentions and briefly retends his Eusevian in the "Church History", and also leads it greek translation In the book of your work.

Milan Edict was not the first law in favor of Christians

In 311, an edict of tolerance towards Christians was already released in Nicomedia. The Milan Edict has expanded the provisions of another regimen of the kind, which was published in Nicomedia on April 30, 311 by Galery, in the past the most cruel persecutor of Christians. Nikomedy Edict, unlike Milansky, did not apply to the entire territory of the Empire (Community Galeriya Maximine Daza did not accept Edict), did not equate Christianity to paganism, only provided Christians of "indulgent mercy", did not return confiscated property to Christians, allowed to gather together on prayer without fear Persislements and prescribed to pray for the prosperity of the empire.

At the end of the ninth book of "Church History", Eusevia Caesarian leads the text and another law provided to Christians to confess their faith, the rescript of the maximine of 312. The Russian church historian Vasily Bolotov sees in it either rice of tyrant with his nobility, or the reaction to the insignificance of the results of persecution against Christians arranged as Maximin.

After the Church Edicta, privileges were granted

According to the Edict, the property confiscated during persecution was returned during the persecution, compensation was also provided for the victims. After the Milan Edicta of St. Emperor Konstantin were accepted by other acts, which strengthened the financial situation of the church. The clerics were liberated from municipal subsidies, and the church as a whole from the property of real estate (except land plots). The church was able to give free slaves with the consent of their owners, Christian temples received the right to grant asylum, which used to be the privilege of pagan sanctuations. The collection from a certain part of the Earth of each city was transferred to local churches, i.e. They received direct regular financing from the state.

During the proclamation of the Milan Edicta Pope was an African

Milan Edict was proclaimed with the Pope of the Roman Milticade (Melchiad), which was coming from North Africa And, perhaps, was black. His bishopinge began in 311, i.e. Even before the victory of St. Constantine. In the same 313, the residence of Roman bishops was equipped in laterane, the former estate of the Laters family, presented by the Church of St. Konstantin. The following dad became the saint Sylvester, as Christianity began to be approved in Rome, magnificent basilics were built, and the church began to turn into serious strength in the state.

The bride became the defender Arian

How did the fate of the main acting persons that Milan wedding? Less than a year later, the war broke out between St. Constantine and Licinium. By 324, the last one was finally broken down and hid together with his wife Constance and the 9-year-old Son in Nicomedia. The Constance asked the brother of mercy for her husband - to live in the reference in Fesalonik. St. Constantine gave way to her requests, but after a year, Licini was strangled, being accused of inciting the garrison to Bunta. Constance became a spiritual daughter of Bishop Nikomedy Eusevia, one of the zealous arian, and herself became their patroness at the court and supported them during the first universal cathedral.