In February of 313, Emperor Constantine issued The Edict of Milan which stopped all persecution of Christians. Finally, Christians could practice what they believed and wouldn't have to fear being fed to the lions for the entertainment of the masses. Constantine eventually had the soldiers in his armies wear crosses during battle. This was an incredible turn of events for the Christians and must have been very confusing for many Romans who were taught to hate and persecute the Christians. This was also a major shift in power for Emperors that would follow Constantine. Emperors were used to being revered as a God and Roman citizens were to worship them in such a way. Christianity denounced worshiping any other God than the God of heaven. Emperor Constantine declaring himself a Christian and all but declaring Christianity the religion of the empire forever changed how emperors would be viewed and revered.

Government rulers began to refer to the Christian Church as the Catholic (meaning universal) Church. During the 11th century A.D., it split into the Greek Orthodox Church in the Eastern Empire and the Roman Catholic Church in the Western Empire. The Roman Catholic Church became even stronger with the Fall of Rome in A.D. 476. Monasteries were established throughout Europe after Rome fell and made preserving Latin and Roman Catholic ideals part of their purpose as well as spreading Catholicism and Christ's message throughout the world. The next major battle that the Catholic Church would face would be during the Crusades when they were at war with Islam.

Food for Thought

Should Constantine be considered a hero for the Catholic Church?

Why or why not?