History: 4th Century

[MC Just]

There was no fall of the Roman Empire! It was converted by the Catholic Church! Hilaire Belloc once said: "The fall of the Roman Empire is a rhetorical and false phrase." It was the rising to triumph of the Holy Catholic Church that did the job. St. Jerome put the truth in one sentence: "If the Graeco-Roman world had accepted the Catholic Church in time, the decay of civilization would have never taken place."

301

Emperor Diocletian issued an Edict which fixed the maximum prices of commodities and wages throughout the Empire.

302

Council of Nicomedia. This Roman Council resolved to suppress Christendom throughout the Empire. It was at this council that Galerius induced Emperor Diocletian to turn persecutor. As a result, the Tenth Roman Persecution followed. The city of Nicomedia was at this time half Christian, the Palace itself was filled with Christian servants. Maximianus celebrated a great triumph with Diocletian in Rome.

St. Gratus suffers Martyrdom.

303

The Tenth and Last of the Roman Persecutions begins under Diocletian. This was the most terrible and bloodiest of all the ten persecutions of the early Church. Nevertheless it is a fact that the Christians enjoyed peace and prosperity during the greater portions of Diocletian's reign. This persecution was intended to put an absolute end to Christendom.

An Edict was issued "To tear down the Churches to their foundations and destroy the Sacred Scriptures by fire;" and commanding also that those who were in honorable stations should be degraded ifthey preserved in their adherence to the Catholic Church. Diocletian, with the use of his sub-Emperors, did a thorough job in demolishing Churches, torturing priests, and publicly burning the Sacred Scriptures. Among the numerous Martyrs in this persecution were the Theban Legion, who were systematically massacred in Switzerland. The Forty Martyrs at Sebaste were frozen to death on a lake. According to tradition, 10,000 Christians were crucified on Mount Ararat. St. Catherine ofAlexandria suffered Martyrdom. St. Agnes, a noble Roman maiden was beheaded. St. Lucy, a virgin, also died a Martyr's death at Syracuse. Rivers of blood flowed through the city of Nicomedia, where the Persecution was declared. St. Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia and a great many other were Martyred.

St. George, the Protector ofthe Kingdom of England, suffers Martyrdom. He is known as the Dragon Slayer.

303-304

Three further Edicts marked successive stages in the severity of the persecution: 1). The first ordering that the Bishops, presbyters (priests), and Deacons should be imprisoned. 2). That they should be tortured and compelled by every means to sacrifice. 3). including the laity as well as the clergy. The atrocious cruelty with which these Edicts were enforced, and the vast numbers of those who suffered for the Faith are attested by St. Eusebius and the Acts of Martyrs. Entire towns were massacred because they declared themselves Christians.

304

Pope St. Marcellinus died on October 25th. The Holy See remained vacant for four years. He is buried in the cemetery of Priscilla on the Via Salaria; this was presumably chosen because it was private property of the powerful family of the Acilii Glabrioni, the Church's official cemeteries had been confiscated by the government at the beginning of the Persecution.

While Emperor Diocletian was seriously ill, a Fourth Edict was issued, commanding all the people to sacrifice at once in the different cities and offer libations to the idols.

St. Florian suffered Martyrdom. After making a bold confession, he was twice scourged, half-flayed alive and finally thrown into the Enns River with a stone hung around his neck. He is the Patron St. of Firemen.

Saints Julian and Basilissa, a married couple who lived in perpetual chastity, and their Companions suffered Martyrdom in Egypt.

Martyrdom of St. Agnes, she was beheaded in Rome, She has always been looked upon in the Church as a special Patroness of Bodily Purity. She is one ofthe most popular Saints and is mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer #1 in the Canon of the Mass. Both Saints Ambrose and Augustine agree that she was thirteen years old when she suffered. St. Ambrose tells us that her last words to her executioners were: "You may stain your sword with my blood, but you will never be able to profane my body, consecrated to Chtist." St. Ambrose also tells us that she went to her place of execution with more joy than others go to their weddings.

Martyrdom of St. Emerentiana, a virgin. She was the foster sister of St. Agnes. She was stoned to death two days after St. Agnes glorified Our Blessed Lord with her death.

Martyrdom of St. Philip, Bishop of Heraclea and his Holy Companions. St. Philip perpetuated the work of God by training many disciples in Sacred Learning and solid piety. Two of the most eminent Saints to have had the happiness to be companions of his Martyrdom were St. Severus, a priest; and St. Hermes, a Deacon, who was formerly the first magistrate of the city.

305

On May 1 of this year both Emperor Diocletian and Sub-Emperor Maximian Herculius retired officially from the public life and a tetrarchy was organized by with Galerius and Constantius as Augusti, co-Emperors ofthe West; and Severus and Maximinus Daia as the Caesars. A new appointment of the Empire was made, Egypt and Syria with the rest of the Diocese of the Orient came under the rule of Maximinus. Shortly after the abdication of Emperor Diocletian, Maximinius published the fourth Edict, which had been published the year before, in his provinces, in his own name, making it clear that no mercy was to be expected from him.

St. Januarius suffers Martyrdom. A vial of his blood is kept in the Cathedral of Naples. His solidified blood liquefies eighteen times every year, ever since! He suffered with Saints Faustus and Martial. These three Saints are known as the Three Crowns of Cordova. St. Faustus cried out in their trial, "There is only One God, who created us all!" His judge ordered his nose, ears, eye-lids, and under lip be cut off St. Januarius suffered the same way. St. Martial was placed on the rack.

306

Meletian schism begins. Meletius, Bishop of Lycopolis, led this schismatic movement to supplant St. Peter, Bishop of Alexandria. The schism died out in the fifth century. Alexandrian Council. This local Council was called by St. Peter, the city's Bishop. Meletius was deposed.

Constantine the Great rejoins his father, Constantius, shortly before his death on July 25th of this year. Constantine the Great becomes Emperor of the West in the Roman Empire.

307

Conference of the Caesars. All six Rulers of the Roman Empire met at Carmentus on the Danube River. The prestige of Emperor Diocletian had great influence. Maxentius retained his imperial dignity.

Maxentius put an end to the persecutions of the Church in Italy and Africa. His reign however was stained with acts of debauchery and cruelty. Diocletian and Maximin failed at their attempt to restore order in the Empire. After his father's death, Maxentius and Maximin, Emperor of the East, fearing the political alliance of Constantine and Licinius, came to an understanding unfriendly to Constantine.

Emperor Constantine the Great

Constantine can rightfully claim the title of Great, for he turned the history of the world into a new course and made Christendom, which until then had suffered bloody persecutions, the Religion of the State. Long before his conversion, his belief in the ancient polytheism had been shaken. He figured out that it only showed its strength in the form of superstition. This set the stage for what Our Blessed Lord was to do in the following year.

308

St. Marcellus becomes Pope.

Licinius become Eastern Emperor of the Roman Empire. Maximinius, the son of Maximian, claimed to be the sole Emperor. This statement led to the proclamation of Constantine the Great as "Augustus," Emperor.

Galerius battles Maximinius in the East.

Constantine the Great defends his provinces against the Germans. He took no Part in the quarrels of the other claimants to the throne. His army at this time was the most efficient this was acknowledged by Emperor Galerius. Galerius, already engaged in battle with Maxininius, became under siege against Licinius.

309

Martyrdom of Pope St. Marcellus. He died at his unknown place of exile.

St. Eusebius becomes Pope. He was a Greek and had been a physician. He died in Sicily. He allowed those who had apostatized to return to the Church after due Penance. The Pontiff faced resistance on this ruling by Heraclius, who headed up an opposing faction. In spite of Pope St. Eusebius' desire for peace, the split community caused government intervention and Emperor Maxentius had both he and Heraclius deported to Siciiy, where he died. His body was moved to the cemetery of Pope St. Callistus.

311

St. Melchiadus becomes Pope. He was the first Pontiff to see the Church tolerated by the Romans and began to enjoy the active favor of the Roman government. He is buried in the cemetery of Pope St. Callistus on the Appian Way.

The Donatist schism begins. The Donatists believed that the validity of the Holy Sacraments depended on the spiritual condition of the one ministering them. This schism will came back again in roughly a thousand years with the Poor Men on Lyons, or the Waldensians, who profess the same thing. The seriousness of this schism calls into question every Mass, Baptism, marriage, Confirmation, confession, Ordination, and Last Rites given to the dying Faithful. No one knows the interior of another, what the Donatists here taught and the Waldensians later on, is a ridiculous notion of human arrogance once again inserting the view point of a man against what was handed down from Christ to the Apostles.

Galerius dies a miserable death after canceling his edicts against the Christians.

Maxentius threw over and broke the statues of Constantine the Great, publicly proclaiming him a tyrant. It was this statement that led to war.

The Basilica of St. John Lateran was built in Rome at what is now Vatican City. This Basilica houses the Holy Door.

312

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge. A vision from God to Constantine assured the Emperor he would conquer in the sign of Christ, (Chi-Rho XP in Greek). Constantine's warriors carried Christ's monogram on their shields, and banners despite the fact many of them were pagans. Constantine's modest army of 25,000 men met Maxentius' and his overwhelming 190,000 man army on the Milvian Bridge over the Tiber River. Maxentius' army suffered a complete defeat, the tyrant himself lost his life on October 28th.

The Vision of Constantine

Constantine the Great becomes sole Ruler of the Western Roman Empire as a direct result of the victory over Maxentius.

Constantine, on his gratitude to the God of the Christians, gave convincing proof early the next year.

Constantine the Great began construction of the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This was built as a memorial of the great victory he achieved over Maxentius by the power of God

313

Emperor Constantine officially recognizes The Catholic Church when he issued the Edict of Milan. This famous Edict is also referred to as the Edict of toleration, this announcement was a political compromise between the two Emperors, Licinius of the East, a pagan, and soon to be Constantine's brother-in-law, and Constantine, himself the Emperor of the West, soon to be a professed Christian. This Edict made the Catholic Church one of the recognized Religions. This Edict was the beginning of the conversion of the Graeco-Roman society.

The Eastern Emperor, Augustus Licinius, became the brother-in-law of Constantine with his marriage to Constantine's sister.

Licinius defeated Maximinius Daia, the last bigoted pagan and cruel tyrant who persecuted the Christians even after the death of Galerius.

The soldiers in Maximinius Dais's army invoked the God of the Christians on the battle field, April 30 of this year. In his turn, Maximinius Daia implored God's help, but died of a painful disease in the following autumn.

The Catholic Church enjoys Peace, lasting ten years.

314

The Council of Aries I. This local Council settled the Donatist dispute, condemning them as schismatics.

St. Sylvester I becomes Pope. He was a Roman, the son of Rufinus. He had many Churches erected during his reign. He is buried in the cemetery of Sta Priscilla on the Via Salaria.

318

The Arian Heresy begins. This heresy derives its name from Arius, a Lybian by descent, and a priest of Alexandria. Arius challenged the belief in the Holy Trinity. Arius denied the Divinity of Jesus, in that the Son is equal to all perfection's to God the Father, and that He is co-eternal with the father. He taught that the Son was created by God the Father, as the first and chief among His creatures; and that the Father out ranked the Son and that the Son out-ranked the Holy Spirit. It was in this year that Arius began to spread his false doctrines in Alexandria. He was in charge of the Church of Baucalis, one of the largest in the city. The Arian heresy was accepted by those in the military and taught much of what the present day Jehovah's Witness believe today.

St. Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great finds the True Cross on which Christ was crucified, the Holy Title, and the Holy Nails that spike Our Blessed Lord to His Cross; in Jerusalem. The first monastery was founded by Pachomius on the Nile River in Egypt.

ST. HELEN

321

Constantine the Great encouraged the emancipation of slaves and enacted that manumission in the Church should have the same force as the public manumission before State officials and by will.

322

Emperor of the East, Licinius, also the brother-in-law of Constantine, begins to persecute the Christians.

324

The Battle of Adrianople, July 3. Constantine's army was again outnumbered this time by an even great number than at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine's well disciplined troops, with Divine assistance, defeated Licinius at this battle, overcoming incredible odds. Licinius strengthened the garrison of Byzantium so well that the only hope of taking the fortress in a blockade would be a miracle. The miracle was provided by the hand of God, a violent storm overtook one hundred and thirty of Licinius' ships and five thousand men. Constantine then crossed over the Bosporus, leaving behind a sufficient corps to maintain the blockade of Byzantium, and overtook Licinius' main body at Chrysopolis, near Chalcedon. Once again, Constantine inflicted a crushing defeat, killing twenty-five thousand men and scattering the greater part of the remainder. Licinius, with thirty thousand of his men, escaped to Nicomedia. Licinius knew at this point the further resistance was useless and surrendered to Constantine, and his noble-hearted conqueror spared his life. This was only an effort to save his life however; he began plotting revenge. Adrianople was a city in what is now Northwestern Turkey, the Capitol of Edime province near Bulgaria, situated on both banks of the Tunca River.

325

The Ecumenical Council of Nicea I. The Council defined the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and formulated the Nicene Creed which we say at Holy Mass today. The Council also condemned the false teaching of Arius and the Arian heretics, declaring that the Son is consubstantial with the Father. The Council also solved how the date of Easter should be calculated, The notable early Church Fathers present were: St. Athanasius; St. Basit the Great; St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Gregory of Nyssa. All four of these great Saints in time would be given the highest honor Mother Church bestows upon her Saints, the Title of Doctor of the Church.

The Diocese of Nice was evangelized by St. Barnabas, sent by St. Paul, or else by St. Mary Magdalen, St. Martha, and St. Lazarus. St. Bassus, the first Bishop of Nice suffered Martyrdom under Decius. The See at Nice sent representatives to the Council of Aries.

St. Eusebius writes the history of the Church.

Emperor Licinius renewed his treacherous practice and is condemned to death by the Roman Senate and executed. Constantine becomes the sole Emperor of the Roman Empire.

326-335

The Feast honoring the Birth of Our Lord, Christmas, was first set in the Liturgical Calendar.

330

Dedication of Constantinople.

333

A Law was passed that commanded the state officials to enforce the decisions of Bishops.

The building of the First St. Peter's Church began this year.

336

St. Marcus becomes Pope. His reign lasted a brief ten months.

337

St. Julius I becomes Pope. He was a Roman of forceful character. He supported the Nicene Orthodoxy.

Baptism and Death of Emperor Constantine the Great. Constantine, since the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, dramatically changed his life. He adorned the Christian Churches magnificently, and every day at a fixed hour, he would lock himself up in his room and ardently beseech Our Blessed Lord on bended knees for his necessities. He remained a Catechumen to the end of his life, and received the Sacrament of Baptism on his death bed.

Birth of St. Florence.

340

Birht of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

342

Macedonius was intruded into the See of Constantinople be the Arian heretics and enthroned by Constantanius II, who had for the second time expelled Paul, the Catholic Bishop.

343

The Council of Sardica. [sardica is now Sofiya, in present day Bulgaria]. This locale Council adjusted the Doctrinal and other difficulties caused by the Arian Heresy.

345

Under the Persian King Saphor II, at Seleucia-Ctesiphon, over one hundred Christians were put to death. They are known as "The Martyrs of Persia. "

346

St. Pachomis writes the Cenobite Rule.

St. Jerome writes the Gallican Psalter.

St. Athanasius returned from exile to Alexandria.

351

Constantius II, the second son of Emperor Constantine, became sole Ruler of the Roman Empire. Constantius was an Arian heretic.

352

Martyrdom of Pope St. Julius I at the hands of the Arians on April 12 of this year.

Liberius becomes Pope. He was a Roman by birth. He struggled with the Arians during his reign. Shortly after his election, Constantius II, an Arian, tried vehemently to force the Western Episcopate into anathematizing St. Athanasius of Alexandria.

Felix II is anti-Pope.

Marian Apparition, St. Mary Major. The Blessed Virgin appeared to John Rome and his wife asked them to have a Church built on one of Rome's seven hills, the Esquiline. John told Pope Liberius of his dream and the Pontiff too had a similar dream. On August 5, they went to Esquiline Hill, and found covered in snow, the outline of a Church. Construction was started immediately.

355

Flavius Claudius Julianus was given the title of Caesar by his cousin, Constantius II. He is known in history as Julian the Apostate.

359

By this year Arianism had prevailed and became the official faith of the Roman Empire. They were, however; divided in doctrine.

The semi-Arians consisted mostly of conservative Eastern bishops, who essentially agreed with the Nicene Creed but were uncertain about the unscriptural word Homoousios (Consubstantial) used in the Creed. The neo-Arians adhered to the Arian doctrine that the Son was unlike the Father.

St. Florence met St. Hilary of Poitiers and started her conversion to the Catholic Faith.

360

The Council of Liaodicea. This locale Council produced a list of Books similar to the Canon of Trent, 1,185 years in the future.

The Aetian heresy and its founder, Aetiuss of Antioch, were condemned. He like the Arians, taught that the Son was different from the Father.

Macedonian Heresy begins. They were also called Pneumatomachis. These heretics flourished in the countries adjacent to the Hellespont. This heresy was begun by the Arian bishops. This heresy is very much like neo-Arianism, they taught that the Son was inferior to the Father, and the Holy Spirit was inferior to both the First and Second Persons. They denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, hence the name, Pneumatomachis or combaters against the Spirit.

361

Julian the Apostate earned his name in this year when he went to Constantinople and Antioch where he reinstated the old Graeco-Roman gods, organizing it on the pattern of the Catholic Church.

363

Julian the Apostate was killed in battle with the Persians in Mesopotamia on June 26.

Death of St. Bibiana.

365

Emperor Valens issued an order banishing all orthodox Bishops who had been exiled by Constantius II and restored by his successors.

366

St. Damasus I becomes Pope. He was a Roman by birth. He was the Deacon under Pope Liberius. The former Pontiff's supporters elected St. Damasus.

The supporters of the anti-Pope Felix II elected Ursinus, whom was also a Deacon under Pope Liberius.

Ursinus becomes anti-Pope.

Death of St. Florence.

370

The Huns sweep into Europe and conquer many of the Ostigoths.

373

Death of St. Ephraem the Syrian. He was a Deacon at Edessa and was later honored with the title, Doctor of the Church.

Death of St. Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria and also honored with the title, Doctor of the Church. St. Athanasius was a Deacon at the Council of Nice and was instrumental in formulating the Nicene Creed. He also wrote a Creed ofhis own, that is also honored by the Church, the Athanasian Creed. It was this Creed by St. Athanasius that the Nicene Creed we say at Mass is rooted.

374-377

St. Epiphanius of Salamis wrote his Panaces Against All Heresies. He distinguished a sect of Montanists as Pepuzians or euintillians (he called Priscilla Quintilla). He said they had some foolish sayings which gave thanks to Eve for eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They used to sleep at Pepuza in order to see Christ as Priscilla had done. Ofen in their church, seven virgins would enter with lamps, dressed in white, to prophesy to the people, whom by their excited action they would move to tears; this is very much like some missions rather than the Irvingite "speaking in Tongues," with which the Montanist ecstasies have often been compared. These heretics are said to have had women for their bishops and priests, in honor of Eve. They were called, Artotyrites, because their sacrament was of bread and coagulated milk. (I guess they made sandwiches). Praedestinatus says the Pepuzians did not really differ from other Montanists, but despised all who did not actually dwell at the "New Jerusalem."

St. Ambrose is consecrated Bishop of Milan on December 7. The first thing that St. Ambrose did once he took office was to give away all his possessions so he could totally commit his life to his flock. As bishop, Ambrose immediately began to use his talent of public speaking to instruct his flock. He preached againstthe Arian heresy and continually instructed the people in the practice of virtue. Ambose penned many works in defense of the Faith and exhorting people to holiness.

376

St. Bademus, an Abbot, suffers Martyrdom under Sapor II. He was stabbed several times with a sword by the apostate Nersan.

The Visigoths (Germanic Barbarians) crossed the Danube into the Roman Empire.

379

St. Basil the Great writes the Basilian Rule.

Theodotius I becomes Emperor of Rome. He like his predecessor, Constantine, passed penal laws stating that anyone guilty of heresy against the Church would be subject to the laws of the State.

[Dave]

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[MC Just]

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[Lil Red]

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