Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, including Pope Sixtus II, Antipope Novatian, Cyprian of Carthage (CE: Valerian, Schaff's History Vol 2 Chap 2 § 22) 264–269 Synods of Antioch: condemned Paul of Samosata, Bishop of Antioch, founder of Adoptionism (Jesus was human until Holy Spirit descended at his baptism), also condemned term homoousios adopted at Nicaea 265 Gregory Thaumaturgus (Ante-Nicene Fathers)] 270 Death of Gregory Thaumaturgus, Christian leader in Pontus. It was said that when Gregory became "bishop" there were only 17 Christians in Pontus while at his death thirty years later there were only 17 non-Christians. 270? Anthony begins monastic movement 275? Papyrus 47: 3rd Chester Beatty, ~Sinaiticus, Rev9:10-11:3,5-16:15,17-17:2 276 Mani (prophet), crucified, founder of the dualistic Manichaean sect in Persia 280 First rural churches emerge in northern Italy; Christianity is no longer exclusively in urban areas 282–300? Theonas, bishop of Alexandria (Ante-Nicene Fathers) 287 Maurice from Egypt is killed at Agauno, Switzerland for refusing to sacrifice to pagan divinities 290–345? St Pachomius, founder of Christian monasticism 296–304 Pope Marcellinus, offered pagan sacrifices for Diocletian, later repented. Name in Martyrology of Bede 300 First Christians reported in Greater Khorasan; an estimated 10% of the world's population is now Christian; parts of the Bible are available in 10 different languages 301 – Armenia is the first kingdom in history to adopt Christianity as state religion 303–312 Diocletian's Massacre of Christians, includes burning of scriptures (EH 8.2) 303 Saint George, patron saint of Georgia, England and other states 304? Victorinus, bishop of Pettau 304? Pope Marcellinus, having repented from his previous defection, suffers martyrdom with several companions 306 Synod of Elvira prohibits relations between Christians and Jews 310 Maxentius deports Pope Eusebius and Heraclius to Sicily (relapse controversy) 312 Lucian of Antioch, founder of School of Antioch, martyred 312 Vision of Constantine: while gazing into the sun he sees a cross with the words by this sign conquer, see also Labarum, he was later called the 13th Apostle and Equal-to-apostles 313 Edict of Milan: Constantine and Licinius end persecution, establish toleration of Christianity 313? Lateran Palace given to Pope Miltiades for residence by Constantine 313? Traditional date for founding of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre 314 King Urnayr of Caucasian Albania adopts Christianity as official religion 314 Catholic Council of Arles, called by Constantine against Donatist schism to confirm the Council of Rome in 313 314–340? Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, church historian,