The Survival of Christianity
Learning from the History of Ancient Milan
Ruins of the Imperial Palace in Milan where the Roman Emperors ruled from 286 to 402 AD.
Imagine living in a culture where Christians are considered second-class citizens and part of a strange, superstitious sect with dangerous views. Imagine not having a voice in the public square, being relegated to the fringes of society, having your property confiscated and – worse – being physically punished for believing in Jesus. Nowadays, with the growing clash between religious liberty and identity liberty, and the rise of what Rod Dreher calls “soft totalitarianism”, such alarming images of persecution of Christians seem closer to becoming a reality in the West. Yet, the above is actually a description of what much of the church lived through during the first three centuries.
Since moving to Milan in 2018, I have made it my goal to explore my adopted home and learn its history. I’m continually fascinated by all that has happened in this historic city. One of the most important events in Milan’s story took place in 313 A.D. when the Edict of Milan was signed granting all people religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire. For Christians, this edict gave them full legal rights, including the right to organize churches and also decreed the return of their confiscated property. At the time the edict was signed, Milan, known then as Mediolanum, was the capitol of the Roman Empire. It was here that emperors Constantine and Licinius met to sign the historic edict 1,708 years ago.
The first three centuries were turbulent times for the church. Many suffered and paid the ultimate price for their faith. There are many stories of Milanese martyrs, people such as Gervasus and Protasus, twin brothers who according to tradition were beheaded in Milan for their faith during one of the many seasons of Roman persecution. Deep in the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, the remains of Gervasus and Protasus are on display, lying on either side of the body of St. Ambrose.
As I walk down the ancient streets of the city, I often wonder how the early church survived before the Edict of Milan was signed. How were they able to thrive and grow as a church in such a hostile environment for centuries? I also can’t help but wonder if the modern church in the West is headed for a similar climate, one that is ever more hostile to our faith. As our culture grows increasingly intolerant of biblical truth and of those who follow Christ, it’s tempting for us as Christians to wring our hands in despair. We look at the state of world and the troubling signs on the horizon and worry for the future of our children, our families, and, of course, the church. Just like believers in the first few centuries, we too may be pushed to the margins of society. There may come a day in the not-so-distant future when identifying as a Christian could mean a death sentence to one’s career or being denied entrance into a public university.
Here in Milan, our son was publicly mocked at school for defending his faith after he was asked about his Christian beliefs. This shaming during a classroom discussion came not from his fellow students, but from his teacher. Finding him shaken and disturbed by the incident, we comforted him with God’s promises, but we also had to tell him the truth: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). As our Lord said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
How then did the early church, pre-Edict of Milan, survive? What got them through? Did they have some extra measure of faith that we lack? What are we to do? The answer is found in the gospel. It was the power of the Word and Spirit that caused the church to persevere amid the opposition and persecution of the first few centuries. The church before the Edict of Milan was a marginalized sect living in a dominant, pagan society. They had no rights, no big buildings, and no political power. Yet, as they devoted themselves to “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42), the church not only survived, it grew and expanded across the globe. As they received the ordinary means of grace in Word and Sacrament, the Lord strengthened and sustained them. As they sought to love and serve one another, they were a witness to an antagonistic world.
In his providence and wisdom, God may call his church to go through a new dark age, a time when Christians have little cultural or political influence. Christ never promised that we would escape trials and tribulations. On the contrary, he said, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” Yet, he added the comforting words: “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He has promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He has assured us: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 16:28). Come what may in the future, we, like our Christian forefathers of the first three centuries, can seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ with confidence, trusting not in ourselves, but in him.
Janie Brown
Milan, Italy
Janie Brown lives in Milan, Italy where she teaches English as a second language. She has a passion for the gospel, and the people, history, and culture of Italy. She and her husband Mike have been married for more than thirty years and have four children.
