Pliny the Younger's Letter About Christians

While governing Bithynia in modern Turkey, Pliny the Younger encounters Christians and writes to Emperor Trajan for guidance. His letter is a goldmine: he describes Christians meeting before dawn to sing hymns 'to Christ as if to a god,' sharing a communal meal, and binding themselves by oath not to commit crimes. He also notes that the movement includes people of every social class and has spread to both cities and rural areas. Trajan's reply establishes a policy: don't hunt Christians down, but punish those who are properly accused and refuse to recant.