Theodosian Code

“We wish all nations which are governed by the measure of our kindness to abide in that religion which is declared to have been introduced by St. Peter, the apostle to the Romans, and by him to have been handed down to this day, and which is followed by the pontiff Damasus, and by Peter, bishop of Alexandria, a man of apostolic holiness. This is, that according to the apostolic discipline, and the doctrine of the gospel, we should believe the sole deity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, under an equal majesty and a pious Trinity. We authorize the followers of this law to embrace the name of catholic Christians, and we declare the rest to be foolish madmen who uphold the disgrace of heretical dogma ; neither shall their meeting-houses receive the name of churches. Besides the divine condemnation, we by the will of heaven are further moved to inflict the penalties of revenge. (A.D. February 21, 380)