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SHORTLY after this Valerian was reduced to slavery by the
barbarians, and his son having become sole ruler, conducted the
government more prudently. He immediately restrained the persecution
against us by public proclamations, and directed the bishops to perform
in freedom their customary duties, in a rescript which ran as follows:
"The Emperor Caesar, Publius, Licinius,Gallienus, Pius,
Felix, Augustus, to Dionysius, Pinnas, Demetrius, and the
other bishops. I have ordered the bounty of my gift to be declared
through all the world, that they may depart from the places of
religious worship. And for this purpose you may use this copy of my
rescript, that no one may molest you. And this which you are now
enabled lawfully to do, has already for a long time been conceded by
me. Therefore Aurelius Cyrenius, who is the chief administrator of
affairs, will observe this ordinance which I have given."
I have given this in a translation from the Latin, that it may be
more readily understood. Another decree of his is extant addressed to
other bishops, permitting them to take possession again of the
so-called cemeteries.
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