Religious peace reigns in the West, where…

Religious peace reigns in the West, where tolerance is proclaimed.

Rome, after some difficulty, has found a great pope in Damasus.

When the Arian bishop of Milan, Auxentius, dies in 374, and the Arians challenge the succession.

Ambrose, the consular prefect or "Governor" of Liguria and Emilia, with headquarters at Milan, goes to the church where the election is to take place, to prevent an uproar, which is probable in this crisis.

His address is interrupted by a call "Ambrose, bishop!", which is taken up by the whole assembly.

A bachelor born into a Roman Christian family between about 337 and 340 and raised in Trier, Ambrose is known to be orthodox in belief, but also acceptable to Arians due to the charity shown in theological matters in this regard.

At first he energetically refuses the office, for which he is in no way prepared: although his strong rule, modesty, and rhetorical skill have made him a tremendously popular governor, Ambrose has neither been baptized nor formally trained in theology.

Upon his appointment, Ambrose flees to a colleague's home to seek hiding.

Upon receiving a letter from the Emperor praising the appropriateness of Rome appointing individuals evidently worthy of holy positions, Ambrose's host surrenders his guest.

Within a week, Ambrose is baptized, ordained and duly installed as bishop of Milan.

As bishop, he immediately adopts an ascetic lifestyle, apportions his money to the poor, donating all of his land, making only provision for his sister Marcellina (who will later become a nun), and commits the care of his family to his brother.

Ambrose also writes a treatise by the name of "The Goodness Of Death".

According to legend, Ambrose immediately and forcefully stops Arianism in Milan.