Chapter 25: Edict of Toleration

Nicomedia, AD 311 It was less then a decade when the
weather of the region had an unforgettable vigor. It was an
invisible force that would billow in with powerful gusts,
dispersing the clouds. The shrubs leaned to one side and the
loose soil flew into a dust cloud. Years ago, the winds had
blustered through the land and over its inhabitants with
aggressive screams. This season it became a lowly piercing cry.
It moaned as it hovered over the great expanse. The powerful
gales were no more, as a light breeze replaced their dying
passion.

The aged Galerius opened his mouth and the wind of
change appeared to blow onto his advisor's faces. His entire staff
was present, with the exception of Maximinius, whose timid
approach to the Maxentius problem in Italy had severed his ties
and destroyed his unique status with his Uncle Galerius.

"Ahh!" Galerius screamed, leaning over and holding
himself in pain. A chamberlain attempted to assist him, but
Galerius swung his arm at him. For over a year, Galerius had
fought the cancer in his bowels, which was proving more

excruciating each passing day. The battle had taken its toll and
the fire that raged once like an inferno was just a burning ember.
The cancer had won the war and it was about to claim its final
spoil.

Galerius had tried all the treatments prescribed by
physicians and haruspices, but nothing cured him of his deadly
illness. The Chistians blamed his deteriorating health on the
persecution edicts that he had played such a pivotal role in
creating and enforcing. With nothing working to cure him, and
with his strong superstitious beliefs, the echoes of Christian
voices reverberated in his mind until he too was convinced that
God had passed judgement on him.

Having recovered from the sudden jolt of pain in his
bowels, Galerius sat up in his throne and provided a version of
an edict he had created with his most trusted scribe.

"What is this?" asked an advisor as he skimmed over the
document.

"The Edict of Toleration," Galerius said, followed by a
coughing attack. "Well, don't just read it, share what it says
aloud."

"It says that the persecution of Christians is deemed an
illegal act."

"Yes," said Galerius.

"The rights, privileges, and property of Christians are
equal to those of any citizen and that those imprisoned for their
faith are to be released at once."

"Yes."

The advisors looked at each other in disbelief.

"That churches are recognized by the state as legal
bodies?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Galerius said, doubling over from his
pain.

"My Lord," the advisor began, "how does this edict
benefit the empire. I think I speak for everyone in the room when
I say that I believed you wanted the empire to be of the pagan
sect. This edict... I cannot make sense of it."

"It does away with persecution and provides a stronghold
for the government," said Galerius, trying not to give away the
superstitious basis behind his decision. "It is the best thing for
the empire. This way the Christians are content that they are no
longer being persecuted, and I am content that the Christians
have limited power."

"Yes, My Lord," said another advisor. "However, who
cares about the Christians. There are so many other diverse
religious practices. Christians are so few."

Galerius pointed to the edict. "If you take a few moments
to read it yourself you will see that I refer to Christians as an
example, but I am allowing the freedom of any religious group."

"But why make the Christians an example—"

"By the Gods man! Am I not Senior Augustus?"

The advisor nodded, speechless, out of fear for his life.

"This edict doesn't have any real enforcement to it. For
years Christians have been arrested, tortured and murdered."
Galerius said, half-coughing as he spoke. "That is why it is too
dangerous to give this group too much power too fast. They may
act on their resentment and we will have yet another conflict to
deal with. The edict gives religious sects some rights, but not all
their rights."

"Your point is well taken," said another advisor.
"However, I foresee problems regarding these proceedings here
today. Protests and scrutiny by non-pagans will result because
we did not do enough, and those who have supported your
persecutions will see you as a hypocrite."

"The order of persecution is to be rescinded throughout the
empire and this document is the only means by which it will
happen. This benefits both sides. Now if there aren't any other
questions—"

"The part that states that the Christians will pray for the
Senior Augustus and the republic in addition to their usual
prayers-"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Nothing." The advisor feared for his life. Having stated
that the Christians were binded legally to pray for the well being
of their emperor (Galerius), it was now clear to the advisors that
Galerius wanted help for his illness through the prayers of
Christians.

Galerius waved his hand and a guard brought in his scribe.
He handed the scribe the edict and dictated, "This edict is
published at Nicomedia on the day before the calends of May, in
our eighth counsulship and the second ofMaximinius." Galerius
sat back, believing that he felt better by creating the edict. "That
is all," he said, waving the advisors to leave.

"Scribe... Make the appropriate documents and send them
off to Constantine, Licinius, and Maximinius. All the emperors
must subscribe."

"Yes, My Lord." The scribe kisssed Galerius' hand, knelt,
and left the room.