This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. Decreed in February 313 A.D. by Constantine I and his co-emperor Licinius, the Edict of Milan stated that all inhabitants of the Roman Empire had the right to follow any religion they desired. This text permanently established religious tolerance in the Empire and set the stage for Christianity to evolve from a small sect to the state religion of one of the most powerful empires in antiquity. The septendecimcentennial, so to speak (or milleseptuacentennial) has been celebrated at religious institutions and in communities around the world.
Italy and Vatican City, among others, have jointly issued a stamp celebrating the anniversary. The stamp features a detail of a fresco painted in 1248 from the Basilica of the Santi Quattro Coronati in Rome depicting San Silvestro showing an icon with the faces of Saints Peter and Paul to Emperor Constantine I.
This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. Decreed in February 313 A.D. by Constantine I and his co-emperor Licinius, the Edict of Milan stated that all inhabitants of the Roman Empire had the right to follow any religion they desired. This text permanently established religious tolerance in the Empire and set the stage for Christianity to evolve from a small sect to the state religion of one of the most powerful empires in antiquity. The septendecimcentennial, so to speak (or milleseptuacentennial) has been celebrated at religious institutions and in communities around the world. Italy and […]
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