Persecution Under Diocletian

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Intro

  • Following persecution by Decius, Christianity grew.
  • 4th century - Armenia is first Christian country.
  • Diocletian's wife and daughter were catechumens.
  • Surprising as initiated so late during his reign.
  • Unexpected and severe by nature.
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Reasons

Lactantius - Diocletian unsure if universal persecution necessary.

Reasons are fourfold:

  • Under pressure from Galerius.
  • Galerius' mother - she was votive of the gods.
  • Resurgence of old state religion - expressed in Neoplatonic philosophy, considered Christianity deadly threat.
  • Conserve Roman traditions - fear of foreign-inspired religion - actions against Manichees indicative.
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First Edict

  • 'Great Persecution'.
  • Matkin - "worst persecution that the Church had faced."
  • 23rd February AD 303.
  • Church buildings to be destroyed.
  • Bibles and copies of Scripture to be burned.
  • All Christian worship forbidden.
  • Christians holding office lost civil rights.
  • A Christian in Nicomedia who tore edict down was burnt to death.
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Second Edict

  • Summer of same year.
  • All members of clergy to be arrested and imprisoned.
  • Eusebius - "Prisons were so full there was no room for actual criminals."
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Third Edict

  • Imprisoned clergy released conditionally - ordered to sacrifice to gods.
  • Many were tortured to force them to comply.
  • A Presbyter named Donatus - imprisoned for six years and tortured nine times.
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Fourth Edict

  • Spring AD304.
  • Diocletian's health began to decline - made plans for abdication.
  • Universal edict - all citizens to sacrifice or face death.
  • Similar to edict of Decian persecution.
  • Abdicated in 305 - Galerius took over.
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Fifth Edict

  • Under Galerius following Diocletian's abdication.
  • Universal order to sacrifice - enforced by army.
  • His Caesar, Maximin, introduced measures to revive paganism.
  • 311 - Galerius on deathbed granted Christians religious tolerance.
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