Emperor Constantine the Great did not immediately make Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire, but he did lay the foundation for its eventual dominance in the empire. Here’s a timeline of key events related to Constantine and Christianity:
1. Edict of Milan (313 CE)
- Date: 313 CE
- The Edict of Milan was issued by Constantine and his co-emperor Licinius. It legalized Christianity, granting religious freedom to all religions within the empire, including Christianity. This edict ended the persecution of Christians and allowed them to practice their faith openly without fear of punishment.
- The Edict of Milan was a pivotal moment, but it did not make Christianity the state religion. It simply ended the official persecution and allowed Christianity to be practiced freely.
2. Constantine’s Conversion and Support for Christianity
- Constantine himself converted to Christianity, and he became its patron. Although not officially baptized until his deathbed in 337 CE, he promoted Christianity throughout his reign.
- He ordered the construction of Christian churches, like the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He also gave Christian clergy significant influence in the empire.
3. Council of Nicaea (325 CE)
- Date: 325 CE
- Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea to address theological disputes within Christianity, particularly the Arian controversy. This council led to the establishment of the Nicene Creed, which defined the nature of Christ and his relationship to God, unifying Christian doctrine across the empire.
- Constantine’s role in the council was crucial for shaping the future of Christianity as he sought to unify the empire under one, standardized Christian doctrine.
4. Christianity as the State Religion (Theodosius I – 380 CE)
- While Constantine played a critical role in the promotion and legalization of Christianity, it was his successor, Emperor Theodosius I, who officially made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.
- The Edict of Thessalonica (380 CE), issued by Theodosius I, proclaimed that Christianity, specifically the Nicene Creed, would be the official state religion of the Roman Empire. It banned pagan practices and made it illegal to worship the traditional Roman gods.
Conclusion:
- Constantine legalized Christianity and supported its growth, but it was Theodosius I who officially made Christianity the state religion in 380 CE through the Edict of Thessalonica.
- Constantine’s reign (306–337 CE) was crucial in transforming Christianity from a persecuted faith to one with imperial support, paving the way for its eventual establishment as the state religion.