Page "Pope Marcellinus" Paragraph 1

Marcellinus ’ pontificate began at a time when Diocletian was Roman Emperor, but had not yet started to persecute the Christians.

He left Christianity rather free and so the church ’ s membership grew.

Caesar Galerius led the pagan movement against Christianity and arrived to bring up Diocletian against Christianity in the year 302: first Christian soldiers had to leave the army, later the Church's property was confiscated and Christian books were destroyed.

After two fires in Diocletian ’ s palace he took harder measures against Christians: they had either to apostatize or they were sentenced to death.