od/symbolspictures/ig/Christian-Symbols-Glossary/Chi- Rho.htm&h=499&w=484&sz=125&hl=en&start=1&sig2=atE7ng3TQIXiyeAWhIv4XQ&tbnid=tLgrNvB0_ZqRYM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=126&ei=6I8JR7iZ Kp3EeNWDzZgF&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchi%2Brho%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

There were 10 periods of Roman persecution of Christians They began under Nero. Nero tried to end Christianity by killing the Christian leaders. They began under Nero. Nero tried to end Christianity by killing the Christian leaders. Some persecutions were worse than others Some persecutions were worse than others The worse was the last persecution under Diocletian in AD The worse was the last persecution under Diocletian in AD Diocletian tried to end Christianity by destroying churches, killing and torturing bishops and presbyters and end the end he tried to kill anyone who considered their self a Christian. Diocletian tried to end Christianity by destroying churches, killing and torturing bishops and presbyters and end the end he tried to kill anyone who considered their self a Christian. An example of how Diocletian persecuted is once,when a whole town declared themselves to be Christians, he ordered the whole town killed An example of how Diocletian persecuted is once,when a whole town declared themselves to be Christians, he ordered the whole town killed

Christian Persecution There were 10 major periods of Roman persecution. The worst and most severe was the last under Diocletian There were 10 major periods of Roman persecution. The worst and most severe was the last under Diocletian Persecution starts under Nero (c ). Persecution starts under Nero (c ). Persecution under Domitian (r ). Persecution under Domitian (r ). Persecution under Trajan ( ). Persecution under Trajan ( ). Persecution under Marcus Aurelius (r ). Persecution under Marcus Aurelius (r ). Persecution under Septimus Severus ( ). Persecution under Septimus Severus ( ). Persecution under Decius ( ). Persecution under Decius ( ). Persecution under Valerian (257-59). Persecution under Valerian (257-59). Persecution under Maximinus the Thracian ( ). Persecution under Maximinus the Thracian ( ). Persecution under Aurelian (r. 270–275). Persecution under Aurelian (r. 270–275). Last and most severe persecution under Diocletian and Galerius ( ). Last and most severe persecution under Diocletian and Galerius ( ).

The Tetrarchy Fails A tetrarchy is a form of government where an empire is ruled by 4 different rulers who share power A tetrarchy is a form of government where an empire is ruled by 4 different rulers who share power Diocletian divided the empire into 4 regions. Each region was ruled by a different ruler: Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantine Diocletian divided the empire into 4 regions. Each region was ruled by a different ruler: Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantine

How does Constantine become the sole Emperor of Rome? Emperor Diocletian retires to private life in 305 A.D. Emperor Diocletian retires to private life in 305 A.D. Civil War breaks out between the remaining 3 rulers who fight for control Civil War breaks out between the remaining 3 rulers who fight for control Constantine was the leader of Gaul and he leads an army which defeats the other rulers for control of the entire Roman Empire Constantine was the leader of Gaul and he leads an army which defeats the other rulers for control of the entire Roman Empire While battling for control of Rome, Constantine has a vision and adopts Christianity. While battling for control of Rome, Constantine has a vision and adopts Christianity.

Constantine was outside of the city of Rome preparing for battle with Maximian Constantine was outside of the city of Rome preparing for battle with Maximian While at the bridge over the Tiber River, Constantine has a vision While at the bridge over the Tiber River, Constantine has a vision In the sky he saw the Chi-Rho and heard the words “Under this sign you will win” (In Hoc Signo Vinces) In the sky he saw the Chi-Rho and heard the words “Under this sign you will win” (In Hoc Signo Vinces) Constantine had his troops go into battle with the Chi-Rho on their shields. Constantine had his troops go into battle with the Chi-Rho on their shields. The vision of Chi Rho at the Milvian Bridge

Constantine Ends the Persecution of Christians After taking control of the Western half of the Roman Empire, Constantine and the Emperor Licinius, who controlled the Eastern half of the Empire, issued a document called the Edict of Milan. After taking control of the Western half of the Roman Empire, Constantine and the Emperor Licinius, who controlled the Eastern half of the Empire, issued a document called the Edict of Milan. Milan is a city in Italy Milan is a city in Italy The Edict of Milan legalized the practice of any religion within the boundaries of the Roman Empire The Edict of Milan legalized the practice of any religion within the boundaries of the Roman Empire

EDICT OF MILAN 313 AD "When I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I, Licinius Augustus, fortunately met near Mediolanurn (Milan), and were considering everything that pertained to the public welfare and security, we thought, among other things which we saw would be for the good of many, those regulations pertaining to the reverence of the Divinity ought certainly to be made first, so that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred; whence any Divinity whatsoever in the seat of the heavens may be propitious and kindly disposed to us and all who are placed under our rule." "When I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I, Licinius Augustus, fortunately met near Mediolanurn (Milan), and were considering everything that pertained to the public welfare and security, we thought, among other things which we saw would be for the good of many, those regulations pertaining to the reverence of the Divinity ought certainly to be made first, so that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred; whence any Divinity whatsoever in the seat of the heavens may be propitious and kindly disposed to us and all who are placed under our rule."

Effect of the Edict Christianity is now legal to practice Christianity is now legal to practice The persecution of Christians ends The persecution of Christians ends Property taken by Diocletian is returned to Christians Property taken by Diocletian is returned to Christians Constantine is the first emperor to support the Christian Church Constantine is the first emperor to support the Christian Church

Constantine the Christian St. Helena, Constantine’s mother was a Christian before Constantine. St. Helena, Constantine’s mother was a Christian before Constantine. She has influence on Constantine and asks to go to Jerusalem to search for holy relics. She has influence on Constantine and asks to go to Jerusalem to search for holy relics. Constantine built churches in the Holy Land and Europe including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and St. Giovanni the first cathedral in Rome Constantine built churches in the Holy Land and Europe including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and St. Giovanni the first cathedral in Rome Constantine did not make religious doctrine. He let the bishops do that Constantine did not make religious doctrine. He let the bishops do that Constantine felt he had to enforce the bishops decision’s Constantine felt he had to enforce the bishops decision’s

Council of Nicaea 325 Constantine called all bishops to this council to decided upon the Arian controversy Constantine called all bishops to this council to decided upon the Arian controversy The council was reportedly attended by 318 bishops The council was reportedly attended by 318 bishops The Nicene Creed was written at the council The Nicene Creed was written at the council The date for Easter and the separation of Easter from the Jewish Passover was decided upon by this council The date for Easter and the separation of Easter from the Jewish Passover was decided upon by this council

St. Helena Constantine sent her to the Holy Land to find Christian Relics Constantine sent her to the Holy Land to find Christian Relics She finds the Holy Sepulcher She finds the Holy Sepulcher She finds the true cross She finds the true cross She finds the tomb of the Three She finds the tomb of the Three Kings Kings

Relics Previous slide: Clockwise from left top corner Previous slide: Clockwise from left top corner Relic of the True Cross Interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Exterior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher The tomb of the Three Kings Nails similar to the nails used during crucifixion (St. Helena supposedly found the nails used to crucify Christ) Relic of the True Cross Interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Exterior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher The tomb of the Three Kings Nails similar to the nails used during crucifixion (St. Helena supposedly found the nails used to crucify Christ)

Death of Constantine Constantine dies in 337 AD Constantine dies in 337 AD He is baptized before his death He is baptized before his death Constantine is regarded as a Saint especially in the Orthodox Church Constantine is regarded as a Saint especially in the Orthodox Church content.answers.com/main/co ntent/wp/en-commons/thumb/6/65/600px- Raphael_Baptism_Constantine.jpg

Hagia Sophia Original built by Constantine’s son, Constantanius, in the city of Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) The name means “Holy Wisdom”

The church itself measures 260 x 270 feet; the dome rises 210 feet above the floor and has a diameter of 110 feet. sophia.htm