Editing Pope Miltiades (section)

== Pontificate ==

In April 311, the [[Edict of Toleration by Galerius|Edict of Toleration]] was issued in [[Sofia|Serdica]] (modern-day Sofia, Bulgaria) by the Roman emperor [[Galerius]], officially ending the [[Diocletianic Persecution]] of Christianity in the Eastern part of the Empire.{{sfn|Gibbon|2008|p=132}}

The election of Miltiades to the papacy on 2 July 311, according to the [[Liberian Catalogue]],{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}} marked the end of a ''[[sede vacante]]'', the vacancy of the papacy, following the death of [[Pope Eusebius]] on 17 August 310 or 309 according to ''Liber Pontificalis''{{sfn|Kirsch|1909|p=615}} not long after his exile to Sicily by the Emperor [[Maxentius]].{{sfn|Kirsch|1913|p=318}} After his election, Church property that was confiscated during the Diocletianic Persecution was restored by Maxentius.{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}}{{sfn|Green|2010|p=219}} This order, however, probably did not extend to all of the parts of Maxentius' jurisdiction.{{sfn|De Clerq|1954|p=143}}

The ''Liber Pontificalis'', attributed the introduction of several later customs to Miltiades, such as not fasting on Thursdays or Sundays. However, subsequent scholarship now believes the customs likely pre-dated Miltiades.{{sfn|Kirsch|1913|p=318}} Miltades prescribed the distribution of portions of the bread consecrated by the pope at all of the churches around Rome, the [[fermentum]], as a sign of unity.{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}}{{sfn|Green|2010|p=219}}

In October 312, [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] defeated Maxentius at the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] to become emperor.{{sfn|O'Malley|2009|p=31}} He later presented the pope with the palace of Empress [[Fausta]], where the [[Lateran Palace]], the papal residence and seat of central Church administration, would be built.{{sfn|O'Malley|2009|p=31}}

Being the first [[Bishops of Rome under Constantine I|pope under Constantine]], his pontificate coincided with Constantine's peace to the Church.{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}} In February 313, Constantine and [[Licinius]], emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, agreed to extend tolerance of Christianity to Licinius' territory, proclaimed by the [[Edict of Milan]]. Consequently, Christians not only attained the freedom of worship but also restored all places of Christian worship and returned all confiscated property.{{sfn|White|2007|pp=55&ndash;56}}

=== Lateran Council ===

During Miltiades' tenure as pontiff, a [[schism]] over the election of Bishop [[Caecilianus]] split the [[Church of Carthage]]. The opposing parties were those of Caecilianus, who was supported by Rome, and of [[Donatus Magnus|Donatus]], mainly clergymen from North Africa who demanded that schismatics and heretics be re-baptised and re-ordained before taking office,{{sfn|Burris|2012|pp=74&ndash;77}} the central issue dividing [[Donatism|Donatists]] and Catholics.{{sfn|Finn|2004|p=112}} The supporters of Donatus appealed to Constantine and requested that judges from [[Gaul]] be assigned to adjudicate.{{sfn|Burris|2012|p=78}} Constantine agreed and commissioned Miltiades with three Gallic bishops to resolve the dispute, the first time an emperor interfered in church affairs.{{sfn|O'Malley|2009|p=31}} Miltiades, unwilling to jeopardise his relationship with the Emperor but also unwilling to preside over a council with an uncertain outcome,{{sfn|Burris|2012|p=78}} changed the proceedings into a regular church synod and appointed an additional 15 Italian bishops.{{sfn|O'Malley|2009|p=31}}

The [[Lateran Council]] was held three days from 2–4 October 313.{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}} The process was modelled on Roman civil proceedings, with Miltiades insisting on strict rules of evidence and argument. This frustrated the Donatists, who left the council without presenting their case, which led Miltiades to rule in favour of Caecilianus by default.{{sfn|Burris|2012|p=78}} The council thus ended after only three sessions. The pope retained Caecilianus as bishop of Carthage and condemned Donatus' teachings of rebaptism of bishops and priests.{{sfn|Levillain|2002|p=993}}{{sfn|Malveaux|2015|p=115}} The adverse rulings failed to stop the continuing spread of Donatism across North Africa.{{sfn|Malveaux|2015|p=115}}

The Donatists again appealed to the Emperor, who responded by convening the [[Council of Arles (314)|Council of Arles]] in 314, but it ruled against the Donatists too.{{sfn|Burris|2012|p=79}} By the time the council was convened, Miltiades had died on 10 or 11 January 314.{{sfn|Kirsch|1913|p=318}} He was succeeded by [[Sylvester I]].{{sfn|O'Malley|2009|p=31}} He was buried in the [[Catacomb of Callixtus]] at the [[Appian Way]] and venerated as a saint.{{sfn|Kirsch|1913|p=318}} Licinius, who promulgated the Edict of Milan, violated the edict in 320 by persecuting Christians, sacking them from public offices, forbidding synods and condoning executions. A civil war broke out between him and Constantine, with Constantine eventually defeating him in 324.{{sfn|Lenski|2012|p=75}}