# Penance of Theodosius (390)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/390-penance-of-theodosius
Location: Mediolanum, Italy
Themes: Politics

After the massacre at Thessalonica, Ambrose bars Emperor Theodosius from communion until he does public penance. At this point in the timeline (390), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Siricius (17 December 384 – 26 November 399).

## Why it matters
Penance of Theodosius mattered because it changed the relationship between the churches and political power.

Pope at the time: [Pope Siricius](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-siricius)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Massacre of Thessalonica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Thessalonica)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Penance of Theodosius](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Penance+of+Theodosius)
- [Wikipedia — Age Of Councils (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils)