Monday, March 19, 2012
Constantine Was Not the First?
The conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in 380 is considered to be one of the watershed moments in Western history. It may surprise you to learn that Constantine was not the first Christian ruler, or the second, or even the third. Those places of honor belong to King Tiridates of Armenia, who in 301 declared Christianity to be the country's state religion; the number two position belongs to King Mirian III of Georgia, who, in 319, declared his country to be Christian; followed by Queen Sofya of Ethiopia in 325, converted by her son's Christian tutor, Frumentius. Sofya's sons Ezana and Se'azana both became Christians. Ezana ruled as a Christian king.
Labels:
Armenia,
Constantine,
Ethiopia,
Georgia,
king,
Roman Empire,
state religion
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