Catholics Celebrate Edict of Milan's 17th Centennary in Nis

Nis Mayor Zoran Perisic (R) welcomes Cardinal Angelo Scola to Nis. Photo by NTV.rs

Catholics from across the world have flocked to the Serbian city of Nis to celebrate 1700 years since the 313 promulgation of the Edict of Milan.

Decreed by Emperor Constantine I, the edict made Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire.

Constantine the Great was born in 272 in Nis, then Naissus.

This year's festivities will culminate with a solemn mass to be held at 5 pm local time on the Cair Stadium.

Pope Francis has sent as a special envoy the archbishop of Milan, cardinal Angelo Scola.

Cardinal Scola has issued a message calling for continuing rapprochement of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Representatives of Catholics from countries across the region, including Bulgaria, are also present in Nis.

The city of Nis started the year-long celebrations of the Edict of Milan's centennary in early 2013.

The official Christian Orthodox commemoration will be held October 6.

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