# Huichang persecution in China (845)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/845-huichang-persecution-in-china
Location: Chang'an, Tang China
Themes: Persecution

Emperor Wuzong of the Tang dynasty orders the suppression of foreign religions, aimed mainly at Buddhism but also striking the Church of the East, Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism. Christianity largely disappears from China until the Mongol era. At this point in the timeline (845), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Sergius II (25 January 844 – 27 January 847).

## Why it matters
It ended the first Christian presence in China, begun by Alopen two centuries earlier.

Pope at the time: [Pope Sergius II](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-sergius-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Huichang persecution of Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huichang_persecution_of_Buddhism)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Huichang persecution in China](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Huichang+persecution+in+China)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)