The Edict of Milan is a legal document issued by Emperor Constantine the Great, proclaiming religious tolerance and bringing an end to the persecution of Christians that lasted three centuries. It was proclaimed at Mediollanum (now Milan) in 313 A.D. It did not turn Christianity into a state religion, nor did Christian faith become privileged in any way by it. The Christians were simply allowed to profess their religion in public without suffering any consequences for it.

The Edict of Milan had an important predecessor in the Edict of Toleration proclaimed by Emperor Galerius at Nicomedia in 311 A.D. It pardoned all Christians who "for some reason, had followed such a caprice and had fallen into such a folly that they would not obey the institutes of antiquity."

In early fourth century, Christian faith was very widespread in the Roman Empire, both in terms of territory and social strata. Many Christians held key position in government and other prominent positions in society, tough they faced persecution. Therefore, the Edict of Milan intended to bring peace to the Empire.

This year, 2013, marks seventeen centuries of the Edict of Milan. The city of Nis, the birthplace of Constantine the Great, which is neither the East nor the West but is actually between the East and West, is the best venue to organize the Central Official Jubilee Year Ceremony.

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