Leo’s military achievements, which have earned him great popularity with his soldiers and the people, may give him the confidence to pursue his religious policies forcefully.

He not only holds firm religious opinions but he also has a profound belief in his duty as emperor to implement them as he understands them.

Having only narrowly defeated the Arab army at the gates of his capital, he ascribes the weakness of his empire to its heterogeneous population and in 722, he orders the forcible baptism of Jews and Montanists (a Christian heretical group), as well as those known as the “New Christians”.

Most of them convert outwardly while secretly adhering to their original faith.

Leo personally investigates but does not prosecute adherents of the Paulician heresy.