 In February 313 , Constantine met with Licinius in Milan , where they developed the Edict of Milan . The edict stated that Christians should be allowed to follow the faith without oppression . This removed penalties for professing Christianity , under which many had been martyred previously , and returned confiscated Church property . The edict protected from religious persecution not only Christians but all religions , allowing anyone to worship whichever deity they chose . A similar edict had been issued in 311 by Galerius , then senior emperor of the Tetrarchy ; Galerius ' edict granted Christians the right to practise their religion but did not restore any property to them . The Edict of Milan included several clauses which stated that all confiscated churches would be returned as well as other provisions for previously persecuted Christians . 
