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Edict of Milan#Peace of the Church

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-The "'''Peace of the Church'''" is a designation usually applied to the condition of the Church after the publication of the [[Edict of Milan]] in 313 by the two ''[[Augustus (title)|Augusti]]'', Western Roman Emperor [[Constantine I]] and his eastern colleague [[Licinius]], an edict of toleration by which the Christians were accorded liberty to practise their religion without state interference.
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-==Background==
-The Romans thought of themselves as highly religious, and attributed their success as a world power to their collective piety ''([[pietas]])'' in maintaining [[pax deorum|good relations with the gods]]. The Romans were known for the [[List of Roman deities|great number of deities]] that they honored.<ref>For an overview of the representation of Roman religion in early Christian authors, see R.P.C. Hanson, "The Christian Attitude to Pagan Religions up to the Time of Constantine the Great" and Carlos A. Contreras, "Christian Views of Paganism" in ''Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt'' II.23.1 (1980) 871–1022.</ref> The presence of [[Magna Graecia|Greeks on the Italian peninsula]] introduced some religious practices such as the cult of [[Apollo]]. The Romans looked for common ground between their major gods and those of the Greeks (''[[interpretatio graeca]]''), adapting [[Greek mythology|Greek myths]] and iconography for Latin literature and [[Roman art]]. According to [[legend]]s, most of Rome's religious institutions could be traced to its [[founding of Rome|founders]]; this archaic religion was the foundation of the ''[[mos maiorum]]'', "the way of the ancestors" or simply "tradition", viewed as central to Roman identity. Through [[interpretatio graeca|''interpretatio graeca'' and ''romana'']], the religions of other peoples incorporated into the [[Roman Empire]] coexisted within the Roman theological hierarchy.
-The [[Judeo-Christian]] insistence on [[Yahweh]] being the ''only'' God, believing all other gods were false gods, could not be fitted into the system. Their scruples prevented them swearing loyalty oaths directed at the [[Imperial cult (ancient Rome)|emperor's divinity]]. More particularly, the refusal of Christians to pay the [[Fiscus Judaicus|Jewish tax]]<ref>Historians debate whether or not the Roman government distinguished between [[Christianity and Judaism|Christians and Jews]] prior to [[Nerva]]'s modification of the [[Fiscus Judaicus]] in 96. From then on, practising Jews paid the tax, Christians did not. Dunn, James D.G., ''Jews and Christians: The Parting of the Ways, A.D. 70 to 135'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing (1999), {{ISBN|0-8028-4498-7}}, Pp 33-34.; Boatwright, Mary Taliaferro & Gargola, Daniel J & Talbert, Richard John Alexander, ''The Romans: From Village to Empire'', Oxford University Press (2004), {{ISBN|0-19-511875-8}}, p. 426.;</ref><ref>Wylen, Stephen M., ''The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction'', Paulist Press (1995), {{ISBN|0-8091-3610-4}}, Pp 190-192.</ref> was perceived as a threat not just to the state cult, but to the state itself, leading to [[Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire|various forms of persecution]]. The emperor [[Decius]] (249 - 251) issued edicts that imposed hard restrictions on Christians, a policy continued by his successor Valerian. With the accession of [[Gallienus]] (r. 253–268), the Church enjoyed a period of nearly 40 years with no official sanctions against Christians, which [[Eusebius]] described as the [[little peace of the Church|"little" peace of the Church]]. In 311, [[Galerius]] published an edict from [[Nicomedia]] officially ending the persecutions.
-==Constantine's Edict==
-Complete [[amnesty]] and freedom were attained two years later when Emperor Constantine, after defeating [[Maxentius]], published early in 313 with his colleague [[Licinius]] the famous [[Edict of Milan]] by which Christians were guaranteed the fullest liberty in the practice of their religion.
-In addition to removing the ban from the Christians, Constantine ordered that the property of which they had been deprived during the persecutions by seizure or confiscation should be returned to them at the expense of the State. For the Christians the immunities and guaranties contained in this act had most important results. Then for the first time it became possible to observe publicly the [[liturgy]] in its fullness, and seriously and earnestly to attempt to mould the life of the empire according to Christian ideals and standards. The joy of the Christians at this change in their public status is admirably expressed by [[Eusebius]] in his "Church History" (X, ii).
-==Other uses==
-The term "Peace of the Church" is also applied in England and Ireland to the end of persecution that followed the Acts of Catholic Emancipation (1778-1926); in Germany, after the Kulturkampf.
-==See also==
-* [[Little Peace of the Church]], a nearly 40-year period of tolerance in the 3rd century
-* [[Peace of God]]
-* [[Constantinian shift]]
-==Notes==
-According to James Carrol's ''[[Constantine's Sword|Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/books/01/01/14/reviews/010114.14sullivt.html |date= Jan 14, 2001 |title= Christianity's Original Sin |quote= According to the author, the relationship with the Jews is the central issue in the history of the church |first= Andrew |last= Sullivan }}</ref> Constantine's interest in legalizing Christianity was essentially political and represented the beginning of a state-sanctioned religious affiliation that grew with time to encapsulate what is now known as Europe. That religion-state relationship across Europe's various kingdoms eventually fractured with the [[Protestant Reformation]] or Revolt led by [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]] and [[Henry VIII]]'s defiance of the Vatican and establishment of the [[Church of England]].
-==References==
-{{reflist}}
-*{{Catholic|wstitle=Peace of the Church}}
-[[Category:4th-century Christianity]]
-[[Category:Christian terminology]]
-[[Category:4th century in the Roman Empire]]
-[[Category:Constantine the Great and Christianity]]