Plausibility Check: Christianity Becomes the State Religion of Sassanid Persia

[Askelion]

Here I am again, stirring up trouble!

This is something that, as a devout Catholic, I've thought about for quite a while. I know that much of the framework for the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire came with the reforms of Aurelian in pursuit of unifying the empire under his god Sol Invictus. I know, in fact, that Sassanid Persia seemed to be more tolerant of Christianity in the early years than Rome. That being said, here's my hypothesis:

The Emperor Aurelian (reigned from 270-275 OTL) is not assassinated by rebellious troops. He largely succeeds in uniting the Empire under the henotheistic primacy of his patron deity Sol Invictus. Shahanshah Bahram I of Persia, finds himself under attack from Aurelian's armies. After losing considerable swathes of Asia Minor to the Roman Warrior-Emperor, he falls under a stressful fever. He recieves a dreamlike vision where he sees the flame of Zoroaster extinguished as Roman Troops march up his palace steps. He looks into the sky to see the message "in this sign conquer" etched across an executioner's cross. A arrows rain down from the Cross in the sky, killing the Romans. Bahram comes to in a cold sweat, before proclaiming that Ormazd is a false deity that will lead the Empire to ruin. Their only hope, he proclaims, lies in the God of the Christians. He has crosses (more 'uppercase' T than 'lowercase' +) painted on his men's shields and banners, and sends forth his armies to meet Aurelian. The Romans are crushed, and the Shah has the Zoroastrian clergy executed as hereitcs along with the Manicheans (as per OTL).

Prior to his death in late 276, he calls the Council of Ctesphion with the intent of establishing a United Christian Church. After nearly six months of deliberation, a Canon is selected and the Ctesphion Creed is formed. Rome bans Christianity more harshly, and the Church finds its patronage in Persia. Within five generations nearly all of Persia is Christian.
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So, how plausible does this seem?

PS: Dibs on the TL name (Ad Orientam)

 

[Philip]

The basic idea is interesting, but there are some problems:

1. The vision is too convergent
2. While Christianity was present in Persia at the time, I don't think it had the numbers to make this plausible.
3. Persia already has a strong unifying religion.
4. I doubt Bahram has the strength to dislodge the Magi. You almost certainly have to whack Kartir first.

Edit:
5. I think the Persians were already having trouble with Christian Armenians, although this may have only occurred later. This could interfere with your plans.


I can see this happening more gradually if Rome never becomes officially Christian.

 

[Ace Venom]

I've considered the impact of a Christian Persia before, though one has to wonder about the long term consequences as well as the short term. Christianity in Persia would likely be Nestorian simply due to geography. As far as the overall conversion would go, your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Philip]

Christianity in Persia would likely be Nestorian simply due to geography.

Given the suggest POD, this is not likely. First, Nestorius wasn't born for some 100 years after the POD. Second, he was born in what was Syria/now Turkey. Since the OP suggests that Rome takes a harsh view of Christianity in ATL, it is unlikely (if he is even born) that he would be a Christian. Even if he becomes a Christian, his influence on a Persian Church is likely to be minimal.