Early Christian churches in Milan

Ever since the fall of the Severan dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235, rivals for the imperial throne had bid for support by either favouring or persecuting Christians.

[1] During the following period known as the crisis of the Third Century (AD 235–284) the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of invasion, civil war, plague, and economic depression.

Wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the republic, and for their own, that the commonwealth may continue uninjured on every side, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes.

the same shall be restored to the Christians without payment or any claim of recompense and without any kind of fraud or deception An edict of toleration was issued by the emperor Galerius from Serdica and posted at Nicomedia on 30 April 311.

Stones taken from the amphitheatre have been recognized in the foundations of the Basilica of San Lorenzo (English: Basilica of Saint Lawrence; 45°27′30″N 09°10′55″E / 45.45833°N 9.18194°E / 45.45833; 9.18194), indicating the demolition of the large building (129.5 m × 109.3 m (425 ft × 359 ft))[5] This use was justified because of the presence of waterways around the area where San Lorenzo was built, and because there was a scarce presence of large stones in Milan, being in a plain clay.

The first basilicas we know are divided into two separate churches, one for the baptized, being the sacrament of baptism at that time granted only upon completion of a process of conversion and spiritual purification, and the other for catechumens.

[8] The new Nicene bishop Ambrose, who was also consularis (governor) of the conjoined Liguria-Aemilia provinces, arrived with soldiers from the Roman army to suppress the violence by force.

[8] In March 386, the court asked that the city's summer-time cathedral, the Basilica Nova, be made available for the Arians for Easter; Ambrose refused.