Chronology of the Christianization of the East Roman Empire
From: jpisc98357@...
Message: 16345
Date: 2002-10-17
Subj: [IndianCivilization] How Hindu Europe became Xtian Europe
Date: 10/16/02 8:21:47 PM Central Daylight Time
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(Summarised from Vlasis Rassias' book "DEMOLISH THEM..",
published in Greek, Athens 2000 (2nd edition), Anichti Poli Editions, ISBN 960-7748-20-4)
(All dates "era vulgaris" = Christian Era)
314
Immediately after its full legalisation, the Christian Church attacks the
Gentiles: The Council of Ancyra denounces the worship of Goddess Artemis.
324
Emperor Constantine declares Christianism as the only official Religion of
the Roman Empire. In Dydima, Minor Asia, he sacks the Oracle of the
God Apollo and tortures the pagan priests to death. He also evicts all the
Gentiles from Mt. Athos and destroys all the local Hellenic Temples.
326
Emperor Constantine, following the instructions of his mother Helen,
destroys the Temple of the God Asclepius in Aigeai of Cilicia and many
Temples of the Goddess Aphrodite in Jerusalem, Aphaca, Mambre,
Phoenice, Baalbek, etc.
330
Emperor Constantine steals the treasures and statues of the pagan
Temples of Greece to decorate Nova Roma (Constantinople), the new
capital of his Empire.
335
Emperor Constantine sacks many pagan Temples of Minor Asia and
Palestine and orders the execution by crucifixion of "all magicians and
soothsayers". Martyrdom of the neoplatonist philosopher Sopatrus.
341
Emperor Flavius Julius Constantius persecutes "all the soothsayers and
the Hellenists". Many Gentile Hellenes are either imprisoned or executed.
346
New large-scale persecutions against the Gentiles in Constantinople.
Banishment of the famous orator Libanius accused as... "magician".
353
An edict of Constantius orders the death penalty for all kind of worship
through sacrifices and "idols".
354
A new edict orders the closing of all the pagan Temples. Some of them
are profaned and turned into brothels or gambling rooms. Executions of
pagan priests.
354
A new edict of Constantius orders the destruction of the pagan Temples
and the execution of all "idolaters". First burning of libraries in various
cities of the Empire. The first lime factories are being organised next to
the closed pagan Temples. A major part of the holy architecture of the
Gentiles turns to lime.
357
Constantius outlaws all methods of Divination (Astrology not excluded).
359
In Skythopolis, Syria, the Christians organise the first death camps for
the torture and executions of the arrested Gentiles from all around the
Empire.
361 to 363
Religious tolerance and restoration of the pagan cults declared in
Constantinople (11th December 361) by the pagan Emperor Flavius
Claudius Julianus.
363
Assassination of Emperor Julianus (26th June).
364
Emperor Flavius Jovianus orders the burning of the Library of Antioch.
364
An Imperial edict (11th September) orders the death penalty for all
Gentiles that worship their ancestral Gods or practice Divination ("sileat
omnibus perpetuo divinandi curiositas"). Three different edicts (4th
February, 9th September, 23rd December) order the confiscation of all
properties of the pagan Temples and the death penalty for participation in
pagan rituals, even private ones.
365
An Imperial edict (17th November) forbids the Gentile officers of the army
to command Christian soldiers.
370
Emperor Valens orders a tremendous persecution of the Gentiles in all
the Eastern Empire. In Antioch, among many other Gentiles, the
ex-governor Fidustius and the priests Hilarius and Patricius are executed.
Tons of books are burnt in the squares of the cities of the Eastern
Empire. All the friends of Julianus are persecuted (Orebasius, Sallustius,
Pegasius etc.), the philosopher Simonides is burned alive and the
philosopher Maximus is decapitated.
372
Emperor Valens orders the governor of Minor Asia to exterminate all the
Hellenes and all documents of their wisdom.
373
New prohibition of all Divination methods. The term "pagan" (pagani,
villagers) is introduced by the Christians to lessen the Gentiles.
375
The Temple of God Asclepius in Epidaurus, Greece, is closed down by
the Christians.
380
On 27th February, Christianism becomes the exclusive Religion of the
Roman Empire by an edict of Emperor Flavius Theodosius, requiring that
"all the various nations which are subject to our clemency and moderation
should continue in the profession of that religion which was delivered to
the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter". The non-Christians are called
"loathsome, heretics, stupid and blind". In another edict Theodosius calls
"insane" those that do not believe to the Christian God and outlaws all
disagreements with the Church dogmas. Ambrosius, bishop of Milan,
starts destroying all the pagan Temples of his area. The Christian priests
lead the hungry mob against the Temple of Goddess Demeter in Eleusis
and try to lynch the hierophants Nestorius and Priskus. The 95 years old
hierophant Nestorius ends the Eleusinian Mysteries and announces the
predominance of mental darkness over the human race.
381
On 2nd May, Theodosius deprives of all their rights the Christians that
return back to the pagan Religion. In all the Eastern Empire the pagan
Temples and Libraries are looted or burned down. On 21st December,
Theodosius outlaws even the simple visits to the Temples of the Hellenes.
In Constantinople, the Temple of Goddess Aphrodite is turned to brothel
and the Temples of Sun and Artemis to stables.
382
"Hellelu-jah" (Glory to Yahweh) is imposed in the Christian mass.
384
Emperor Theodosius orders the Praetorian Prefect Maternus Cynegius, a
dedicated Christian, to cooperate with the local bishops and destroy the
Temples of the Gentiles in Northern Greece and Minor Asia.
385 to 388
Maternus Cynegius, encouraged by his fanatic wife, and bishop ("Saint")
Marcellus with his gangs scour the countryside and sack and destroy
hundreds of Hellenic Temples, shrines and altars. Among others they
destroy the Temple of Edessa, the Cabeireion of Imbros, the Temple of
Zeus in Apamea, the Temple of Apollo in Dydima and all the Temples of
Palmyra. Thousands of innocent Gentiles from all sides of the Empire
suffer martyrdom in the notorious death camps of Skythopolis.
386
Emperor Theodosius outlaws (16th June) the care of the sacked pagan
Temples.
388
Public talks on religious subjects are also outlawed by Theodosius. The
old orator Libanius sends his famous Epistle "Pro Templis" to Theodosius
with the hope that the few remaining Hellenic Temples will be respected
and spared.
389 to 390
All non-Christian date-methods are outlawed. Hordes of fanatic hermits
from the desert flood the cities of the Middle East and Egypt and destroy
statues, altars, Libraries and pagan Temples and lynch the Gentiles.
Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, starts heavy persecutions against the
Gentiles, turns the Temple of Dionysos into a Christian church, burns
down the Mithraeum of the city, destroys the Temple of Zeus and
burlesque the pagan priests before they are killed by stoning. The
Christian mob profanes the cult images.
391
On 24th February, a new edict of Theodosius prohibits not only visits to
pagan Temples but also looking at the vandalised statues. New heavy
persecutions all around the Empire. In Alexandria, Egypt, the Gentiles,
led by the philosopher Olympius, revolt and after some street fights they
lock themselves inside the fortified Temple of God Serapis (The
Serapeion). After a violent siege, the Christians take over the building,
demolish it, burn its famous Library and profane the cult images.
392
On 8th November, the Emperor Theodosius outlaws all the non-Christian
rituals and names them "superstitions of the Gentiles" (gentilicia
superstitio). New full scale persecutions against the Gentiles. The
Mysteries of Samothrace are ended and the priests slaughtered. In
Cyprus the local bishop ("Saint") Epiphanius and "Saint" Tychon destroy
almost all the Temples of the island and exterminate thousands of
Gentiles. The local Mysteries of Goddess Aphrodite are ended.
Theodosius' edict declares: "the ones that won't obey pater Epiphanius
have no right to keep living in that island". The Gentiles revolt against the
Emperor and the Church in Petra, Aeropolis, Rafia, Gaza, Baalbek and
other cities of the Middle East.
393
The Pythian Games, the Aktia Games and the Olympic Games are
outlawed as part of the Hellenic "idolatry". The Christians sack the
Temples of Olympia.
395
Two new edicts (22nd July and 7th August) cause new persecutions
against the Gentiles. Rufinus, the eunuch Prime Minister of Emperor
Flavius Arcadius directs the hordes of the baptised Goths (led by Alaric)
to the country of the Hellenes. Encouraged by Christian monks the
barbarians sack and burn many cities (Dion, Delphi, Megara, Corinth,
Pheneos, Argos, Nemea, Lycosoura, Sparta, Messene, Phigaleia,
Olympia, etc.), slaughter or enslave innumerable Gentile Hellenes and
burn down all the Temples. Among others, they burn down the Eleusinian
Sanctuary and burn alive all its priests (including the hierophant of
Mithras Hilarius).
396
On 7th December, a new edict by Emperor Arcadius orders that
paganism be treated as high treason. Imprisonment of the few remaining
pagan priests and hierophants.
397
"Demolish them!". Emperor Flavius Arcadius orders all the still standing
pagan Temples to be demolished.
398
The Fourth Church Council of Carthage prohibits to everybody, including
to the Christian bishops, the study of the books of the Gentiles.
Porphyrius, bishop of Gaza, demolishes almost all the pagan Temples of
his city (except 9 of them that remain active).
399
With a new edict (13th July) Emperor Flavius Arcadius orders all the still
standing pagan Temples, mainly in the countryside, to be immediately
demolished.
400
Bishop Nicetas destroys the Oracle of the God Dionysus in Vesai and
baptises all the Gentiles of this area.
401
The Christian mob of Carthage lynches Gentiles and destroys Temples
and "idols". In Gaza too, the local bishop (also a.."Saint") Porphyrius
sends his followers to lynch Gentiles and to demolish the remaining 9 still
active Temples of the city. The 15th Council of Chalkedon orders all the
Christians that still keep good relations with their gentile relatives to be
excommunicated (even after their death).
405
John Chrysostom sends hordes of gray dressed monks armed with clubs
and iron bars to destroy the "idols" in all the cities of Palestine.
406
John Chrysostom collects funds from rich Christian women to financially
support the demolition of the Hellenic Temples. In Ephessus he orders
the destruction of the famous Temple of Goddess Artemis. In Salamis,
Cyprus, the "Saints" Epiphanius and Eutychius continue the
persecutions of the Gentiles and the total destruction of their Temples and sanctuaries.
407
A new edict outlaws once more all the non-Christian acts of worship.
408
The Emperor of the Western Empire Honorius and the Emperor of the
Eastern Empire Arcadius order together all the sculptures of the pagan
Temples to be either destroyed or to be taken away. Private ownership of
pagan sculpture is also outlawed. The local bishops lead new heavy
persecutions against the Gentiles and new book burning. The judges that
have pity for the Gentiles are also persecuted. "Saint" Augustine
massacres hundreds of protesting pagans in Calama, Algeria.
409
Once again, an edict orders Astrology and all methods of Divination to be
punished by death.
415
In Alexandria, Egypt, the Christian mob, urged by the bishop Cyrillus,
attacks a few days before the Judaeo-Christian Pascha (Easter) and cuts
to pieces the famous and beautiful philosopher Hypatia. The pieces of her
body, carried around by the Christian mob through the streets of
Alexandria, are finally burned together with her books in a place called
Cynaron. On 30th August, new persecutions start against all the pagan
priests of North Africa who end their lives either crucified or burned alive.
416
The inquisitor Hypatius, alias "The Sword of God", exterminates the last
Gentiles of Bithynia. In Constantinople (7th December) all non-Christian
army officers, public employees and judges are dismissed.
423
Emperor Theodosius B declares (8th June) that the Religion of the
Gentiles is nothing more than "demon worship" and orders all those who
persist in practicing it to be punished by imprisonment and torture.
429
The Temple of Goddess Athena (Parthenon) on the Acropolis of Athens is
sacked. The Athenian pagans are persecuted.
435
On 14th November, a new edict by Emperor Theodosius B orders the
death penalty for all "heretics" and Gentiles of the Empire. Only Judaism
is considered a legal non-Christian Religion.
438
Emperor Theodosius B issues an new edict (31st January) against the
Gentiles, incriminating their "idolatry" as the reason of a recent plague (!)
440 to 450
The Christians demolish all the monuments, altars and Temples of
Athens, Olympia, and other Greek cities.
448
Theodosius B orders all the non-Christian books to be burned.
450
All the Temples of Aphrodisias (City of Goddess Aphrodite) are
demolished and all its Libraries burned down. The city is renamed
Stavroupolis (City of the Cross).
451
New edict by Emperor Theodosius B (4th November) emphasises that
"idolatry" is punished by death.
457 to 491
Sporadic persecutions against the Gentiles of the Eastern Empire.
Among others, the physician Jacobus and the philosopher Gessius are
executed. Severianus, Herestios, Zosimus, Isidorus and others are
tortured and imprisoned. The proselytiser Conon and his followers
exterminate the last Gentiles of Imbros Island, Norheast Aegean Sea.
The last worshippers of Lavranius Zeus are exterminated in Cyprus.
482 to 488
The majority of the Gentiles of Minor Asia are exterminated after a
desperate revolt against the Emperor and the Church.
486
More "underground" pagan priests are discovered, arrested, burlesqued,
tortured and executed in Alexandria, Egypt.
515
Baptism becomes obligatory even for those that already say they are
Christians. The Emperor of Constantinople Anastasius orders the
massacre of the Gentiles in the Arabian city Zoara and the demolition of
the Temple of local God Theandrites.
528
Emperor Jutprada (Justinianus) outlaws the "alternative" Olympian
Games of Antioch. He also orders the execution (by fire, crucifixion,
tearing to pieces by wild beasts or cutting to pieces by iron nails) of all
who practice "sorcery, divination, magic or idolatry" and prohibits all
teachings by the Gentiles ("..the ones suffering from the blasphemous
insanity of the Hellenes").
529
Emperor Justinianus outlaws the Athenian Philosophical Academy and
has its property confiscated.
532
The inquisitor Ioannis Asiacus, a fanatic monk, leads a crusade against
the Gentiles of Minor Asia.
542
Emperor Justinianus allows the inquisitor Ioannis Asiacus to convert the
Gentiles of Phrygia, Caria and Lydia, Minor Asia. Within 35 years of this
crusade, 99 churches and 12 monasteries are built on the sites of
demolished pagan Temples.
546
Hundreds of Gentiles are put to death in Constantinople by the inquisitor
Ioannis Asiacus.
556
Emperor Justinianus orders the notorious inquisitor Amantius to go to
Antioch, to find, arrest, torture and exterminate the last Gentiles of the
city and burn all the private libraries down.
562
Mass arrests, burlesquing, tortures, imprisonments and executions of
Gentile Hellenes in Athens, Antioch, Palmyra and Constantinople.
578 to 582
The Christians torture and crucify Gentile Hellenes all around the Eastern
Empire, and exterminate the last Gentiles of Heliopolis (Baalbek).
580
The Christian inquisitors attack a secret Temple of Zeus in Antioch. The
priest commits suicide, but the rest Gentiles are arrested. All the
prisoners, the Vice Governor Anatolius included, are tortured and sent to
Constantinople to face trial. Sentenced to death they are thrown to the
lions. The wild animals being unwilling to tear them to pieces, they end
up crucified. Their dead bodies are dragged in the streets by the Christian
mob and afterwards thrown unburied in the dump.
583
New persecutions against the Gentile Hellenes by the Emperor
Mauricius.
590
In all the Eastern Empire the Christian accusers "discover" pagan
conspiracies. New storm of torture and executions.
692
The "Penthekto" Council of Constantinople prohibits the remains of
Calends, Brumalia, Anthesteria, and other pagan / Dionysian celebrations.
804
The Gentile Hellenes of Mesa Mani (Cape Tainaron, Lakonia, Greece)
resist successfully the attempt of Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople,
to convert them to Christianity.
850 to 860
Violent conversion of the last Gentile Hellenes of Laconia by the
Armenian "Saint" Nikon.
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