10.04.2013.
Lecture on the Edict of Milan
In celebration of the seventeen centuries of the Edict of Milan, Protopresbyter-stavrophor Radomir Popovic from the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Belgrade gave a lecture entitled "Tsar Constantine and Freedom of Christianity" at the Military Academy.The lecture was conducted in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement between the Military Academy and the Board of Religious Education of the Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovac of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and on the initiative of the Cadet Parliament of the University of Defence.
The lecture was attended by the representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces, religious communities, the deans of the University of Belgrade, representatives of the Student Conference of Serbian Universities, professors and cadets of the Defence University, the students of the Faculty of Political Sciences and Faculty of Security Studies in Belgrade.
Professor Popovic emphasized that the Edict of Milan should be seen as a turning point in the long and sometimes painful process of spiritual maturation.
- It should be also known that faith could not be imposed as it is by the law, nor it could be taken away. Faith exists, or it does not exist, no matter how it is looked at through the laws. Judging by the contents of the Edict of Milan and its daily, practical use, it can be said that it was adopted at the right time. These facts tell us a lot about Constantine ruler's genius that was able to read the signs of his time in a properly and timely manner, the professor said.Rector of the University of Defence, Lieutenant General Prof. Miodrag Jevtic, addressed the audience and thanked the professor for his very important lecture, highlighting the excellent cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the Serbian Orthodox Church. As a token of gratitude, Rector presented the professor with the book "The Serbian military education".
The Edict of Milan is a legal act that, as far back as in 313 AD, was passed by Tsar Constantine the Great. It was proclaimed in today's Milan thus establishing religious toleration and stopped the persecution of Christians. The Edict allowed Christians to openly practice their religion, but Christianity did not become the state religion, nor was it privileged.
