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380 - 438 SYNAGOGUE DESTRUCTION
During this time attacks on synagogues increased originally at the instigations of the church but eventually found sanction within legislations as well. The legislation of Honorius and Valentinian III were relatively mild compared to that of Arcadius and Theodosius II. During this time restriction on Jewish life became more widespread and not just limited to marriage , owning slaves, etc. Furthermore, rights once lost were almost never recovered.
381 COUNCIL OF LAODICIA
Forbade Christians to rest on the Jewish Sabbath.
386 - 387 ADVERSUS IUDAEOS ("AGAINST THE JEWS")
Was a series of eight sermons by John Chrysostom denouncing and slandering Judaism. They were published as part of the battle to totally sever Christianity from Judaism, and to prevent Christians from participating in Jewish festivals. Although there was little new in his sermons they are unique in their intensity and vitriol. "Although such beasts [Jews] are unfit for work, they are fit for killing . . . fit for slaughter. (I.II.5) Shall I tell you of their plundering, their covetousness, their abandonment of the poor, their thefts, their cheating in trade? (I.VII.1)"
388 August 1, CALLINICUM (Mesopotamia)
The synagogue located on the Euphrates was looted and burned by Church officials. St. Ambrose, one of the four Latin doctors of the Catholic church (others were St. Gregory, St. Augustine, and St. Jerome), defended the action. He reprimanded Theodosius the Great for ordering the local Bishop to pay restitution, even though expropriation was illegal under Roman law. St. Ambrose offered to burn the synagogue in Milan on his own.
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