Question: Although we are talking of Christian persecution. Christians too have persecuted other faiths and coerced people to convert, what do you want to say to Christians who persecute other faiths (even if in a non-violent way)?

God’s answer:

Question: Do you want to say anything else?

God’s answer:

To take heart (from something) means to receive courage or comfort from some fact.²³. God wants to remind us of the story of how Rome, where Christians were blatantly persecuted, ended up being the center of Christianity. This turn of event happened during the reign of Roman Emperor Constantine, at the Battle of Milvian Bridge.

“ Eusebius of Caesarea and other Christian sources record that Constantine experienced a dramatic event in 312 at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, after which Constantine claimed the emperorship in the West. According to these sources, Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, and with it the Greek words "Ἐν Τούτῳ Νίκα" (~in this sign, conquer!), often rendered in a Latin version, "in hoc signo vinces"(–in this sign, you will conquer). Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Rho), and thereafter they were victorious.

Following the battle, the new emperor ignored the altars to the gods prepared on the Capitoline and did not carry out the customary sacrifices to celebrate a

general's victorious entry into Rome, instead heading directly to the imperial palace.

In 313 Constantine and Licinius announced "that it was proper that the Christians and all others should have liberty to follow that mode of religion which to each of them appeared best", thereby granting tolerance to all religions, including Christianity. Constantine's decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for Early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church or the Constantinian shift.

The accession of Constantine was a turning point for early Christianity. After his victory, Constantine took over the role of patron of the Christian faith. He supported the Church financially, had an extraordinary number of basilicas built, granted privileges (e.g., exemption from certain taxes) to clergy, promoted Christians to high-ranking offices, returned property confiscated during the Great Persecution of Diocletian and endowed the church with land and other wealth.”²⁴

Request: The expression “Rome was not built for a day” is a call for patience. I understand what you are saying but for those Christians who are being persecuted now, this may not offer any consolation. Is there any kind of prayer you can give to them during these times, while they wait?

God’s answer: