1. The Growth of Christendom Councils, Cultures and Conflicts

2. Constantine: The first Christian Emperor  When: October 28, 312  Where: The Bridge of Milvian along the Tiber River  Who: General Constantine ( son of the Emperor) Maxentius (son of the Emperor)  Why: Fighting for control of the Roman Empire in the west.

3. Constantine: The first Christian Emperor  The Sign of Constantine The letter X – sounds like CH The letter P - sounds like R  Chi Rho ( ki’ ro’) name for Christ.

4. Constantine: The first Christian Emperor The Results:  Battle was won by Constantine and his army.  Constantine stated his belief in Christ.  Constantine recognized Christianity as a religion.  Persecution of the Church ended.

5. Third Century Rome  Roman Empire consisted of many different nations.  Many people were citizens. ( Remember that not all people were guaranteed citizenship in the Roman Empire)  Citizens of the Roman Empire enjoyed certain rights and privileges.  To keep order and control over the people Rome required all people, citizens and non-citizens, to worship the Roman gods.  Individuals and groups who were viewed as a threat the Empire were imprisoned and even put to death.

6. Third Century Rome  During the third century, the Roman Empire became too large to control from both internal and external forces.  The armies of Rome had more power than the government. Emperors were often overthrown by their generals.

7. Diocletian’s Reform  284 A.D.  Roman soldiers in the east choose an Emperor named Diocletian.  He divided the Roman Empire into two parts; East and West.

8. Diocletian’s Reform  Emperor of the East- Diocletian  Emperor of the West- Maximian  Together they choose Constantius Chlorus ( father of Constantine) to assist them.  Constantius replaces Maximian. When he dies his son Constantine becomes Emperor of the West.

9. The Edict of Milan  To save the Empire from internal conflict, Diocletian begins a campaign to persecute the Christians ( 303 A.D.)  The Emperors in the West did not enforce this Edict with the same enthusiasm as the East.

10. The Edict of Milan  Churches confiscated  Holy books burned  Christians arrested and put to death, especially those viewed as leaders.

11. The Edict of Milan  Persecution of Christians seen as a failure.  311A.D. Edict of Milan was issued that ended the persecution of Christians.  Religious freedom was given.  313 A.D. Constantine and Emperor of the East together granted everyone in the Roman Empire religious freedom.

12. Emperor Constantine  324 A.D. Roman Empire reunited under one Emperor.  Constantine was baptized in 337 on his death bed.

13. Activity  The Roman Empire consisted of many nations with many different customs, cultures and religious beliefs. How do we, as the community of SPN, make people of all religious beliefs and racial and cultural backgrounds feel welcome?