Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/385

89* everything stemming from the grafting of this tree is supposed to be more worthy of respect. Pope Melchiades confesses about the imperial grafting of that See that Constantine, the first Emperor who accepted faith, granted a general permission to all people everywhere in his realm not only to become Christians, but also to build churches and to found church endowments. The same Emperor showered great gifts on the Church and erected the first basilica of Saint Peter. Thus, having left his imperial see, he gave it to Saint Peter and his successors. In this way a deep root was planted, strong and full of poison; from it grew a bush full of all sorts of poisonous fruits. And the world has been poisoned to death by it.

the Pope.

the Emperor.

Matt. 4:19.

In defending the papal viewpoint, Cappello writes: "Princeps sine territorio non datur.", p.489.

Pope Melchiades – or Miltiades – ( A.D.311–313) was the first Pope to live in the Lateran Palace donated to him by Fausta, Constantine's wife, and the last one to be buried in the Catacombs. John Farrow,, p.23. London: Sheed & Ward, 1943. – About the time of his elevation to papacy, an Edict of Toleration signed by the Emperors Galerius, Licinius, and Constantine, put an end to the great persecution of the Christians, and they were permitted to reconstruct their places of worship. (. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History (Eusebius), VIII, xvii; Lactantius,, xxxiv). The Emperor gave Pope Melchiades in Rome the right to receive back, through the prefect of the city, all ecclesiastical buildings and possessions which had been confiscated during the persecutions. Later, after the victory at the Milvian Bridge (Oct. 27, A.D.312), the Emperor presented the Roman Church with the Lateran Palace belonging to Empress Fausta, and it then became the residence of the Popes. The basilica which ad joined the palace or was afterwards built there became the principal church of Rome. , "Melchiades," New York: Appleton, 1911.

Pope Melchiades – or Miltiades – ( A.D.311–313) was the first Pope to live in the Lateran Palace donated to him by Fausta, Constantine's wife, and the last one to be buried in the Catacombs. John Farrow,, p.23. London: Sheed & Ward, 1943. – About the time of his elevation to papacy, an Edict of Toleration signed by the Emperors Galerius, Licinius, and Constantine, put an end to the great persecution of the Christians, and they were permitted to reconstruct their places of worship. (. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History (Eusebius), VIII, xvii; Lactantius,, xxxiv). The Emperor gave Pope Melchiades in Rome the right to receive back, through the prefect of the city, all ecclesiastical buildings and possessions which had been confiscated during the persecutions. Later, after the victory at the Milvian Bridge (Oct. 27, A.D.312), the Emperor presented the Roman Church with the Lateran Palace belonging to Empress Fausta, and it then became the residence of the Popes. The basilica which ad joined the palace or was afterwards built there became the principal church of Rome. , "Melchiades," New York: Appleton, 1911.