State and Church Relationships in the Time of Constantine the Great

CONCLUSION
Even though Constantine's motives to support Christianity can not be determined, it can be seen undoubtedly that his conversion did change the Church and State relationship. While under the reign of Diocletian, the state domination and complete separation over the church, under Constantine's power, his adoption of Christianity gave many benefits to the Church including the collaboration between the Church and the State. The Council of Nicaea was the main event that showed State domination by Constantine's control over the bishops but also showed collaboration between the state and the church. This set the stage of a continual struggle between the Holy Roman Empire and the Pop over who had ultimate power. The Papal Theory and Imperial Theory were in question as to which one was correct, this continued on until the Reformation. Therefore consequential changes occurred between the Church and the State relationship from Constantine's conversion to the Christian Church.
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