Emperor Galerius Valerius Maximinus (293-311) was born in the vicinity of Serdica. He liked to live in the city. He is known as the furious pursuer of the Christians in the Empire.
In the last years of his life, Galerius suffered from incurable disease. His body grew thick and covered with ulcers. Its internal organs were corroded. An unpleasant odor came from the emperor. Tormented by suffering, he rethought his attitude towards Christianity.
In 311, days before his death, Emperor Galerius published the famous Serbian Edict of Tolerance, allowing Christians to freely practice their religion. This is how the official Christianization of Europe begins. From Serdika.
