Orthodox Baptistery of Ravenna, Italy
Theoderic, as leader of the Ostrogoths, established their rule over most of Italy in the later 5th century, under the nominal suzerainty of Byzantium.
For much of his reign, he kept his capital at Ravenna, where he engaged in a number of important building projects, including a cathedral and a baptistery for the use of his Gothic subjects, the vast majority of whom were Arians. (For the most part, orthodox Christians were allowed to live peaceably under his reign.)
Fourteen years after his death in 526, Ravenna was retaken by the Byzantines under the Emperor Justinian, whose policy was to take over Arian buildings and convert them to Catholic worship.
Under the archbishop of Ravenna St Agnellus (556-69), the Arian baptistery was converted into an oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Theoderic, as leader of the Ostrogoths, established their rule over most of Italy in the later 5th century, under the nominal suzerainty of Byzantium.
For much of his reign, he kept his capital at Ravenna, where he engaged in a number of important building projects, including a cathedral and a baptistery for the use of his Gothic subjects, the vast majority of whom were Arians. (For the most part, orthodox Christians were allowed to live peaceably under his reign.)
Fourteen years after his death in 526, Ravenna was retaken by the Byzantines under the Emperor Justinian, whose policy was to take over Arian buildings and convert them to Catholic worship.
Under the archbishop of Ravenna St Agnellus (556-69), the Arian baptistery was converted into an oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary.