The edict of Diocletian against the Christians was issued on the feast of the Terminalia, Feb. 23, 303. Good Friday, here ἡ τοῦ σωτηρίου πάθους ἡμέρα, was commonly known as ἡμερα τοῦ σταυροῦ, πάσχα σταυρώσιμον, and παρασκευή Tertullian speaks of its early observance as a general fast, and Eusebius confirms his testimony.