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Theodosius I

Roman emperor, 379–395died AD 395Also: Theodosius the Great

Spanish general made emperor in the East in 379. He made the Nicene faith the law of the empire, summoned the council of Constantinople in 381, forbade pagan sacrifice, and did public penance after the massacre at Thessalonica.

Theodosius came of a Spanish family and had made his name as a soldier when Gratian proclaimed him emperor at Sirmium on 16 January 379 and shared with him the war against the barbarians (Socrates, Church History 5.2). He was baptised at Thessalonica during an illness by its bishop Ascholius (Socrates, Church History 5.6). In February 380 he ordered all his subjects to hold the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria (Theodosian Code 16.1.2) (see the Edict of Thessalonica), and in 381 he summoned the eastern bishops to a council at Constantinople (Socrates, Church History 5.8). Later laws of his forbade sacrifice and the visiting of temples (Theodosian Code 16.10.10–12).

After he ordered reprisals at Thessalonica that became a massacre, Ambrose of Milan wrote that he could not celebrate the eucharist in his presence until he repented, and Theodosius did public penance (Ambrose, Letter 51) (Augustine, City of God 5.26) (see Ambrose Calls an Emperor to Penance). He died at Milan on 17 January 395, and his sons Arcadius and Honorius took the East and the West (Socrates, Church History 5.26) (Socrates, Church History 6.1).

In the timeline

  1. 27 February AD 380, firm date
    The Edict of Thessalonica

    By an edict issued at Thessalonica, the emperor Theodosius orders all his peoples to hold the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria in the one deity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christians who believe otherwise are declared heretics.

  2. May AD 381, firm date
    The First Council of Constantinople

    About 150 eastern bishops, summoned by Theodosius, confirm the faith of Nicaea, condemn those who deny the full deity of the Son or of the Spirit, and rank the bishop of Constantinople next after Rome. The creed now recited in most churches bears this council’s name.

  3. AD 390, estimated date
    Ambrose Calls an Emperor to Penance

    After Theodosius orders a massacre at Thessalonica, Ambrose of Milan writes that he cannot celebrate the eucharist in the emperor’s presence until he repents. Theodosius does public penance. Later writers add a confrontation at the church door that is not in the letter.

Primary sources

Church History

Socrates of Constantinople · c. AD 439–443 · Greek

The Theodosian Code

Compiled by order of Theodosius II · Compiled AD 429–438 · Latin

Letters

Ambrose of Milan · c. AD 379–396 · Latin

The City of God

Augustine of Hippo · AD 413–426 · Latin

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