Valentinianic–Theodosian period In the late 4th century the dispute between Nicene and Arian Christianity came to head at Mediolanum (Milan), where Ambrose was bishop. At Easter in 386 the Arian party, preferred by the Theodosian dynasty, sought to wrest the use of the basilica from the Nicene partisan Ambrose. According to Augustine of Hippo, the dispute resulted in Ambrose organising an 'orthodox' sit-in at the basilica and arranged the miraculous invention and translation of martyrs, whose hidden remains had been revealed in a vision. During the sit-in, Augustine credits Ambrose with the introduction from the "eastern regions" of antiphonal chanting, to give heart to the orthodox congregation, though in fact music was likely part of Christian ritual since the time of the Pauline epistles.Augustine of Hippo, Confessiones, :7:15–16 The arrival and reburial of the martyrs' uncorrupted remains in the basilica in time for the Easter celebrations was seen as powerful step towards divine approval.
valentinianic–theodosian period in the late 4th century the dispute between nicene and arian christianity came to head at mediolanum (milan) where ambrose was bishop at easter in 386 the arian party preferred by the theodosian dynasty sought to wrest the use of the basilica from the nicene partisan ambrose according to augustine of hippo the dispute resulted in ambrose organising an 'orthodox' sit-in at the basilica and arranged the miraculous invention and translation of martyrs whose hidden remains had been revealed in a vision during the sit-in augustine credits ambrose with the introduction from the "eastern regions" of antiphonal chanting to give heart to the orthodox congregation though in fact music was likely part of christian ritual since the time of the pauline epistlesaugustine of hippo confessiones 715–16 the arrival and reburial of the martyrs' uncorrupted remains in the basilica in time for the easter celebrations was seen as powerful step towards divine approval