This Week in Christian History: John Donne, Roman Empire, America a 'Christian Nation'

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, February 25, 2018

Roman Empire Makes Christianity the State Religion - February 27, 380

The front of a coin bearing the image of Roman Emperor Theodosius I, (347-395). | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

This week marks the anniversary of when the Roman Empire enacted the Edict of Thessalonica, which established Catholic Christianity as the official religion.

Also called the Cunctos Populos, the edict was signed by Rome's three co-ruling emperors Theodosius I, Valentinian I, and Gratian. It banned both paganism and Christian groups who did not agree to the Nicene Creed.

"It is our desire that all the various nations which are subject to our Clemency and Moderation, should continue to profess that religion which was delivered to the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter, as it has been preserved by faithful Tradition, and which is now professed by the Pontiff Damasus and by Peter, Bishop of Alexandria, a man of apostolic holiness," read the Edict in part.

"According to the apostolic teaching and the doctrine of the Gospel, let us believe in the one Deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and in a Holy Trinity. We authorize the followers of this law to assume the title of Catholic Christians; but as for the others, since, in our judgment they are foolish madmen, we decree that they shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretics, and shall not presume to give to their conventicles the name of churches."