Canon and the Ancient Christian Bible — Church Historical Setting

The Edict of Milan and Legal Toleration

AD 313
A Visit With Jesus

Imperial policy granted Christians legal toleration and ended the Great Persecution.

Full Account

After years of severe persecution, Constantine and Licinius established a policy permitting Christians and others to practice their religion. Confiscated Christian property was to be returned.

Legal security allowed churches to worship publicly, construct buildings, preserve libraries, and sponsor more ambitious manuscript production. Imperial favor also introduced new tensions as church and state became increasingly intertwined.

Historical Significance

Toleration transformed the material conditions under which Bibles could be copied and distributed, helping make large parchment codices possible.

People, Places and Sources