This article is about the Pope. For the Athenian general, see Miltiades.

Miltiades, or Melchiades (other forms of the name being Meltiades, Melciades, Milciades, and Miltides) was Pope from July 10, 310 or 311 to January 10 or 11, 314. He appears to have been an African by birth, but of his personal history nothing is known. The Liber Pontificalis compiled in the 5th century onwards, attributed several later customs to introductions by Miltiades. He was elected after a period of sede vacante following the joint banishment of Pope Eusebius to Sicily and his opponent Heraclius to Sardinia.

The Edicts of Toleration, known as the "Edict of Milan" [1] of Galerius and of Constantine and Licinius were published during his pontificate. The emperor now gave Pope Miltiades in Rome the right to receive back, through the prefect of the city, all ecclesiastical buildings and possessions which had been confiscated during the persecutions. Constantine presented the pope with the Lateran Palace which became the papal residence and seat of Christian governance; there was held the Lateran Synod in Rome (313) at which Caecilianus was acquitted of the charges brought against him, and Donatus condemned as a heretic. See Donatism.

External link

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope St Miltiades

From the 9th edition (1880s) of an unnamed encyclopedia.