Persecution of christians during the reign of emperor Decius Trajan

Abstract. The main purpose of the article is to investigate the relations between the Roman government and the Early Christian Church during the reign of Emperor Decius Trajan. To analyze the purpose and goal of the religious edict of this emperor, its implementation in various provinces of the Roman Empire in 250 – 251 AD. To determine the cause and course of the persecution of Christians, which was caused by this imperial decree. The research methodology is based on the principle of historicism, comparative, historical-systematic, historical-chronological and analytical methods. The scientific novelty lies in a new view of the policy of the Roman state towards Christians in the middle of the 3rd century AD. In the study, the author involves the latest and modern works, and also makes a special focus on the works of Cyprian of Carthage, which allows us to analyze more clearly the implementation of the edict of Decius Trajan in the churches of Roman Africa. Conclusions. The imperial edict of Decius consisted in the obligation of the personal performance of a pagan sacrifice by the inhabitants of the Roman Empire. The sacrifice was certified in writing on a libellus, which recorded the date and the person performing the action. The edict applied not only to Christians, but also to representatives of other religious cults. The resolution was intended to stabilize and unite society, to confirm the loyalty of the inhabitants of the Roman state. Christians could not participate in pagan rituals due to their own religious beliefs, so in fact religious policy of Decius Trajan grew into Christian persecution. A large number of Christians renounced their faith, others were exiled and oppressed, and there were also cases of Christian martyrdom. The persecution of Christians lasted from January 250 to the end of spring 251 AD. Keywords: Society of the Ancient World, ancient Greco-Roman civilization and the Middle Ages, Christianity, persecution, Roman Empire, Church history, religion, classical studies.