300-400: Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Roman Empire

During the fourth century AD, Emperor Constantine the Great made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. This led to edicts against the Jews as well as laws protecting them. Constantine passed a law protecting Christians from Jews but he also passed a law exempting Jewish religious leaders from community service due to their dedication to the Sanhedrin and the synagogues. Jerome, a church leader who wrote both historical and theological works, described the mourning of Jews in Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av.

1. 314 C.E. – 318 C.E. Eusebius of Caesaria (263 – 339 C.E.)
2. October 18, 329 C.E. Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337)
3. November 29, 330 C.E. Emperor Constantine I the Great (306-337)
4. 333 C.E. The Bordeaux Pilgrim
5. August 13, 339 C.E. Emperor Constantius II (337 – 361)
6. March 1, 363 Emperor Julian “The Apostate” (361–363 C.E.)
7. May 6, 368 C.E. Roman Emperor Valentinian I (364 – 375)
8. May 21, 383 Valentinian II (375 – 392)
9. 388 C.E. Christians Destroy a Synagogue in Syria
10. March 14, 388 C.E. Emperor Valentinian II (375 – 392)
11. 392 C.E. Church Leader Jerome (347 C.E. – 420 C.E.)
12. September 29, 393 C.E. Emperors Theodosius I (379 – 395) and Honorius (393 – 423)
13. February 28, 396 C.E. Emperors Arcadius (395 – 408) and Honorius (393 – 423)
14. June 17, 397 C.E. Emperors Arcadius (395 – 408) and Honorius (393 – 423)
15. July 1, 397 C.E. Emperors Arcadius (395 – 408) and Honorius (393 – 423)
16. February 3, 398 Emperors Arcadius (395 – 408) and Honorius (393 – 423)