The Imperial Church
Constantine (272-337)
Father: Constantius Chlorus (250-306; Western Caesar 293-305; Western Augustus 305-
306)
Mother: Helena (250-330)
Rise to Power
Held Hostage in Eastern Court
Escapes in 305 and Joins His Father in England
Constantine Named Emperor by Army in York (306)
Ultimately Divides Empire with Licinius (250-325)
Later (324) Attacks and Defeats Licinius, Becoming Sole Emperor of Rome
Emperor and Church
Edict of Milan (313)
Significance
Protects rights of Christians to worship without interference
Restoration of property
Does not make Christianity the official religion of the Empire
Theological justification The Religion of the Emperor
The Conversion of Constantine
Early Influences
Eastern Court
Apollo as Patron god (310)
Sol invictus
The Battle for the Milvian Bridge
The Vision of the Cross
Lactantius, Death of the Persecutors, 44
Eusebius, Life of Constantine, 1.26-29
Later Coins of Constantine
Chi Rho (Labarum)
Analysis
Why Christianity?
Ideological Reasons?
Pragmatism?
Constantine's Influence on the Church
Legislation
313 - Exempts Christian clergy from having to serve the state
318 - Gives bishops legal authority to resolve certain disputes
321 - Recognized churches as legal corporations Buildings
St John Lateran
St Peter's Basilica
Caesaropapism
The Donatist Controversy
Bishops Mensurius and Caecillian of Carthage ("Orthodox")
Donatist Bishop of Carthage, Majorinus
Traditores -- Those who had Betrayed Christ During a Time of Persecution
What Do You Do With These People After the Persecution?
Orthodox Response: Readmission through the Sacrament of Penance
Donatist Response: Once Fallen, Always Fallen --- No Way Back
Inclusivity vs Exclusivity
Sacraments Given By Non-Donatist Priest Were Invalid
Appeal to Constantine
Council of Arles (314)
Donatists Ordered to Rejoin the Orthodox Church in Africa (317)
The Arians
Arius (Priest of Alexandria)
Christ was created
Council of Nicaea (325)
Aftermath New Precedents
Imperial Involvement in Church Affairs
Codex Theodosius, 16.5.1 - Edict on Orthodoxy
Bishops Appealing to the Emperor for Theological Judgments
Political/Military Suppression of Heretical Elements