Persecutions of Christians did not become “empire-wide” or generally threatening until the middle of the third century, over 200 years after Jesus’ death.  It is a mistake to think all Christians had to go in hiding in the early years/decades/centuries of the church because they were seen by the Roman state as an impending threat. Here I continue with this short series describing the imperial persecutions of Christians, from my book The Triumph of Christianity (Simon & Schuster).   ******************************   Valerian (ruled 253-60 CE) Two years after Decius (discussed in the previous post), Valerian assumed the mantle of office.  He was the first emperor to issue decrees specifically directed against the Christians and thus the first to sponsor an empire-wide persecution.[1]  The initial decree appeared in 257 CE, requiring church leaders to participate in pagan rituals and banning Christians from meeting en mass in cemeteries.  More significant was a rescript the next year ordering the execution of all Christian bishops, presbyters, and deacons in the city of Rome itself.  Christians at the [...]