The persecution of Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire ended today in the year 311. The Emperor Galerius had been especially enthusiastic in having those who refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods burned alive. But now, eight years after the persecution started, he issued an edict bringing it to an end. For the first time, Christianity was recognised as a permissible religion of the Roman Empire.
‘Christians may once more establish their own meeting places, so long as they do not act in a disorderly way… Consequently, in accord with our indulgence, they ought to pray to their god for our health and the safety of the state, so that the state may be kept safe on all sides, and they may be able to live safely and securely in their own homes.’ Emperor Galerius
It is the birthday of Reverend Gary Davis, the legendary gospel blues singer and Baptist preacher. Born into a poor family in South Carolina today in 1896, he learned the harmonica at the age of five, and the guitar when he was seven. Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1933, his songs became a mixture of fierce preaching and brilliant playing, with songs titles such as ‘Runnin’ to the Judgment’ and ‘Say No to the Devil’.
John say you must have that pure religion,
Must have religion and your soul converted,
Must have that pure religion,
Can’t cross there!
Reverend Gary Davis, ‘Pure Religion’
Wilfred Wood became Britain’s first black bishop today in 1985. As Bishop of Croydon, he was also involved in many initiatives to address issues of race-based injustice, including leadership of the World Council of Churches Programme to Combat Racism.
Rev William Jackson, the Irish journalist, radical and preacher, who spent far too much of his time as spin doctor to the bigamous Duchess of Kingston, died shortly before he was due to be sentenced to death today in 1795. He was found guilty of spying for France in the Revolutionary War, but cheated the gallows by drinking a pint of arsenic on the way to court, and then understandably dying in the dock.
Image: Zde