Despite the edict, persecutions of Christians still continued, especially in the East, where the religion developed significantly more rapidly than in the West and where the repercussions were more severe. In order to establish peace in the empire, a meeting between the Emperor of the West Constantine the Great and Licinius – the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire, took place. It is they, who became the final victors of the political and military struggles at that time.

The Edict of Milan, is a term, which was adopted to describe their joint position, which was formulated in 313 A.D. in Milan during the marriage of the step-sister of Constantine to Licinius. The document, or more appropriately the letter, which after the meeting was sent by Licinius on behalf of both the rulers, to governors of eastern provinces (Asia Minor and Syria), guarantees Christians (in  the whole empire), as well as all people, free choice of religion with which they identify. The basis of the edict was the conviction that for the good of the state everyone should pray for its good in any way they see fit. This did not mean the same status for the Christian faith, as was enjoyed by the Roman religion, but rather provided it with a status of an allowed religion and thus brought an end to any persecutions based on religion as well as the return of stolen property. Therefore, this declaration was a confirmation and acceptance of the Edict of Galerius issued two years prior. A novelty in the arrangements made in 313 A.D. was the payment of compensation to individual religious communes for losses they incurred during the persecutions of the tetrarchy period. It is also worth mentioning that in 313 A.D., Christians accounted for only one-seventh of the total Roman population.

What was the motivation of this action for both of the rulers, we can only assume. Most likely it was not only about the guarantee of religious peace, but Licinius hoped to gain the trust of Christians in the lands which he ruled, during the upcoming conflict with his rival in the East (Maximinus Daia) – who was their bitter enemy. As we know today, Licinius won. Constantine, on the other hand, who is generally thought of as the one responsible for issuing the Edict of Milan, at the moment of its creation continued the line of tolerance towards Christians, which was started in 311 A.D., and in Rome it was represented by Emperor Maxentius, later a rival of Constantine. Their battle on the Milvian Bridge in 312 A.D. (Ponte Milvio), in the history of Christian Europe is shown as a struggle of good versus evil, yet it was a clearly political struggle between two rulers fighting for power. As we know history, or as other would have it – the intercession of Christ, granted victory to Constantine. At the same time he was granted the honor of being the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire and a protector of Christians.