CHAPTER XXIII

HE FORBIDS IDOLATROUS WORSHIP, BUT HONOURS MARTYRS AND THEIR FESTIVALS

SUCH were his sacred ministrations in the service of his God. At the same time, his subjects, both civil and military, throughout the empire, found a barrier every where opposed against idol worship, and every kind of sacrifice forbidden. A statute was also passed, enjoining the due observance of the Lord’s day, and transmitted to the governors of every province, who undertook, at his command, to respect the days commemorative of martyrs, and duly to honour the festivals of the Church: and all these intentions were fulfilled to the emperor’s entire satisfaction.