Timeline Wednesday 27 February 380

Events on Wednesday 27 February 380 2

• 380 Edict of Thessalonica -- Christianity becomes the state religion Theodosius I issues the Edict of Thessalonica on 27 February 380, making Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire and declaring all other religious practices illegal. Pagan temples are closed; the Olympic Games (held since 776 BC) are abolished in 393 as a pagan festival. The edict marks the completion of the Christianisation of the empire that Constantine began. Theodosius is the last emperor to rule both halves of the Roman Empire; at his death in 395 the empire is permanently divided.
• 380 Edict of Thessalonica — Christianity becomes state religion In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius I issues the Edict of Thessalonica, declaring Nicene Christianity the only legitimate religion of the Roman Empire. All subjects must profess the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria. Heretics lose civil rights; pagan sacrifice is banned. In 391 AD Theodosius closes all pagan temples and outlaws pagan worship entirely. The Olympic Games — held every four years since 776 BC — are abolished in 393 AD as a pagan festival. Rome's millennium of gods is over.