Benutzer:Christian/299

• Sabinus der Ägypter (von Hermopolis), Märtyrer († 287 oder 299) - 16. März
• Martyrs Dadas, Quinctillian and Maximus, the Lectors (ca. 284-305) - 13. April
• Helena römische Kaisermutter * um 249 in Drepanon, später Helenopolis, heute Hersek in der Türkei Bevor Konstantius I. mit Einführung der Tetrarchie im Jahr 293 zum Kaiser des Römischen Reiches ernannt wurde, verstieß er 289 Helena wegen ihres niederen Standes, um Flavia Maximiana Theodora, die Stieftochter des Kaisers Maximianus, zu heiraten. Er machte Augusta Treverorum - das heutige Trier - zu seiner Residenz; auch Helena behielt weiterhin Einfluss. Die führenden heidnischen Familien verachteten Helena wegen ihrer Herkunft, aber sie - intrigant, autoritär und völlig bedenkenlos 2 - tat nun, unterstützt durch die Christen, alles, um Theodora von Konstantius zu trennen, sie samt Familie in einen Seitentrakt des Palastes zu verdrängen und ihrem Sohn den Thron zu sichern † 18. August (?) 329 (?) in Nikomedia, heute Ízmit in der Türkei - 16. April? Gedenktag katholisch: 18. August - Todestag: 15. April - Gedenktag orthodox: 6. März, 21. Mai

299: Diocletian was somewhat paranoid, and so he often sought to know the future from fortune tellers. Once during his stay in the East he began to slay animals, so that he could learn the future from the livers. While he sacrificed, some attendants of his, who were Christians, stood by and put the sign of the cross on their foreheads. At this the demons were chased away, and the holy rites interrupted. The soothsayers trembled, unable to investigate the wonted marks on the entrails of the victims. They frequently repeated the sacrifices, as if the former had been unpropitious; but when the victims were slain they gave no tokens for divination. Finally Tages, the chief of the soothsayers, either from guess or from his own observation, said, There are profane persons here, who obstruct the rites. Then Diocletian, in furious passion, ordered not only all who were assisting at the holy ceremonies, but also all who resided within the palace, to sacrifice, and they refused he ordered them to be scourged. And further, by letters to the commanding officers, he enjoined that all soldiers should be forced to perform similar impieties, or else be dismissed the service. Thus far his rage proceeded; but at that time he did nothing more against the law and religion of God.

Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum 10.6

299: The author of the edict [Diocletian] very shortly after this confession was released from his pains and died. He is reported to have been the original author of the misery of the persecution, having endeavored, long before the movement of the other emperors, to turn from the faith the Christians in the army, and first of all those in his own house, degrading some from the military rank, and abusing others most shamefully, and threatening still others with death, and finally inciting his partners in the empire to the general persecution.

Eusebius, Historica Ecclesiasica 8 appendix