Grace Kelley

Today in western civilization, we did something a little different. Mr. Schick let Grace and Kelley teach class today. It started off a little bumpy but we got down to business. They read us all the information that they had taken from Wednesday and we listened to see if we had the same information. I had almost everything Grace and Kelley had. On Grace's blog, she had this information:

Diocletian Persecution

His initial accession in 284 didn’t leave an immediate change to Christianity but it caused a gradual change. Diocletian purged the army of Christians and surrounded himself with public opponents of Christianity.

First edict: February 23, 303, Diocletian ordered that the newly built Christian church at Nicomedia be razed, scriptures burned, and treasures seized. The edict rodereed the destruction of Christian scriptures, liturgical books, places of worship across the empire, and prohibit Christians from worshiping. Christians were not allowed to go to court about any of these things happening.  Christian senators, equestrians, decurions, veterans, and soldiers had the positions taken away and imperial freedmen were re-slaved. He requested that no blood would be shed.

Second edict: summer of 303- ordered the arrest and imprisonment of all bishops and priests. There was no logical necessity of this second edict. Diocletian said he did it because the first edict was not working as quickly as wanted. Prisons began to fill.

Third edict: November 20, 303- any imprisoned clergy man could now be freed as long as he agrees to make a sacrifice to the gods. Some people were more willing than others to make a sacrifice sine it was considered unacceptable.

Fourth edict: 304- all persons (men, women, and children) to father in a public space and offer a collective sacrifice. If you refused, you were executed. This edict was not enforced at all of the domains of Maximian and Constantius.

 Constantine

Constantine, son of Constanitius, was against the persecution of the Christians. On July 25, 306, he succeeded his father. He immediately ended all ongoing persecution and returned property that had been stolen. Constantine was seen as a possible liberator of oppressed Christians everywhere. First Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, over the ago of 40. He issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed tolerance of all religions throughout the empire. Throughout his rule, he supported the Church financially, built basilicas, granted privileges to clergy, and promoted Christians to high office. Made a law so that Jews could not have Christian slaves.

The reason Constantine converted was because he had a vision of a sun with a cross above and it has the words engraved across it: "Conquer by this."

It was pretty accurate information and Mr. Schick chimed in and gave some information from time to time. Some students also asked some very informative questions.

Edict - an official order or proclamation.