Viviana

In the shadow of the Roman Empire, young Viviana faces tragedy, betrayal, and the fierce trials of early Christian life.

As her brother rises in Rome's brutal ranks, she clings to her faith whilst quietly holding on to her independence of mind. When Emperor Constantine accepts the Christian God he does so because he fears that not to might affect his military success.

Things happen quickly; how does the church treat those Christians who helped the authorities when the persecution was rife? At the same time the Bishops cannot agree on who Christ was - God, Himself, or a divinely created Angel. The Emperor worries that such disagreement might affect God's view of him. He summons the Bishops across the Empire to Nicaea in the year 325. Out of it the first version of what we now know as the Nicene Creed appears.

The story of Viviana and her brother, Columba, illustrates what it was like to live in this world- from the early persecution of Christians all the way to State endorsement. A gripping tale of courage, conviction, and humility in a world not so different from our own.Read less