Zagreb, (IKA) – The book Milanski edikt. Prijevod, komentar i studija (Edict of Milan, Translation, Commentary and Study) by Ivan Milotić, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the Department of Roman Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, published by Kršćanska sadašnjost, was presented in Zagreb at the 36th Annual Interliber Book Fair on Friday, November 15.
Speaking about the book, Dr. Josip Šalković, a professor at the Department of Canon Law of the Catholic Theological Faculty, University of Zagreb, said that it was a scholarly work with original scientific contributions and translations from classical languages.
In the book, the author translates the Edict of Milan from Greek and Latin into the Croatian language, comments and scientifically analyzes one of the basic legal documents in legal history and the history of Christianity in general and in particular for the definition of the legal position of Christians under Roman law. In Croatian legal literature as well as scientific literature in general, the Edict of Milan has not been analyzed until now in this manner. Only a relatively small number of foreign studies examine certain parts of its legal content and regulations, said Professor Šalković, who pointed out that the book was written in a multidisciplinary, scientific and analytical manner, with the primary objective of clarifying the legal contents and regulations of the Edict of Milan, the text of which is presented in the Latin original and Greek translation with a fine legal translation into Croatian.
Dr. Šalković commented on the particular value of this work, reflected in the fact that the translations are accompanied by numerous useful commentaries in which significant key legal and technical terms are explained precisely.
The general Croatian readership will now be able to enter into the content of the Edict of Milan, including the abrogation of anti-Christian regulations and the granting of the free confession of Christianity and all other religions. The second part of the Edict orders the return of confiscated premises for assembly and worship, as well as other properties confiscated by the Roman authorities and sold to individuals during persecutions. The last part speaks about the consequences and importance of the Edict of Milan.
The author’s notes in the commentary and study are derived from well-grounded hypotheses and are a valuable contribution to the study of Roman and canon law, said Dr. Šalković, who observed that the author’s primary intention was to provide relevant literature on the 1,700th anniversary of the adoption of the Edict of Milan.
At this moment in history, in the Edict of Milan it is necessary to discover the great and eternal cultural and civilizational values that have driven, inspired and created the identity of the European continent. The Edict of Milan sends all people a message on the need for authentic freedom, the preservation of human dignity, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, overcoming the past through the correct interpretation of history and legal sources, as well as the yearning for peace, trust and cooperation. The 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan proclaims to everyone that religious freedom is a guarantee of peace and new civilizations in a pluralistic society, including Croatia, said Dr. Šalković.
The author of the book, Ivan Milotić, pointed out that at the beginning of this project he encountered a series of incorrect givens and concepts regarding this edict.
It is somewhat mystified in Croatian science and frequently exclusively associated with religious tolerance. However, the religious tolerance stipulated by the Edict of Milan is a minor and almost insignificant part of its content. In discussions concerning the Edict of Milan, it is often forgotten that it is a legal act. In writing the book, the author attempted to address the average reader, not only lawyers.
Speaking about the Edict of Milan, Dr. Milotić said that it has universal value not only for the West in the territorial and cultural senses but also universal timeless value. It deals not with allocation but instead with the restitution of Church property that had been taken from it. However, the Edict’s role in the building of Western civilization is greater in many respects. In fact, after the adoption of the Edict of Milan, church construction began. With the exception of catacombs, it is nearly impossible to find Christian places of worship that were built prior to the Edict. Only then did Christianity experience its full expansion.
Dr. Milotić once again emphasized that the purpose of the Edict of Milan was not to proclaim religious tolerance because 4/5 of its content is devoted to property issues, i.e., the manner of organizing the return of church properties to the legal persons from which they had been confiscated in the years 303 and 304. In order to achieve this, the Edict of Milan contains the appropriate legal solutions, while religious tolerance is only one step toward the restitution of properties.