Saint Constantine the Great
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| Saint Constantine the Great | |
| Feast Day | May 21 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Converts, emperors, Christian rulers |
| Birthplace | Naissus, Moesia Superior (modern Niš, Serbia) |
| Death Place | Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of the Holy Apostles, Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) |
Saint Constantine the Great (February 27, AD 272 – May 22, 337), born Flavius Valerius Constantinus, was a saint and Roman Emperor who played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity. Born in Naissus, Moesia Superior (modern Niš, Serbia), he rose to power through military victories, becoming sole emperor by 324. His conversion to Christianity, influenced by a vision of the cross before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, led to the Edict of Milan in 313, granting tolerance to Christians. He founded Constantinople as the new capital, convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 to address Arianism, and supported the construction of churches like the Holy Sepulchre. Venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, his feast day is celebrated on May 21.[1]
Constantine’s reign transformed the Roman Empire, legalizing Christianity and laying the foundation for its dominance in Europe. His vision of “In Hoc Signo Vinces” and use of the Chi-Rho symbol became enduring Christian emblems. Despite his baptism on his deathbed, his commitment to Christian unity and patronage earned him veneration, though his canonization is debated in the Roman Catholic Church. His relics, once housed in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, remain a focal point of devotion, particularly in Eastern traditions.[2][3]
Biography
Birth
Saint Constantine the Great was born on February 27, AD 272, in Naissus, Moesia Superior, in the Roman province now part of modern Niš, Serbia. His father, Constantius Chlorus, was a high-ranking military officer, later Caesar, and his mother, Helena, was of humble origin, later venerated as Saint Helena. Born during the Tetrarchy, Constantine grew up in a period of political instability and religious diversity.[1]
Raised in the imperial court at Nicomedia, Constantine was exposed to both pagan and Christian influences, as his mother embraced Christianity early. His birthplace, a strategic military hub, shaped his understanding of Roman governance and warfare, preparing him for his future role.[2]
Early Life
Constantine’s early life was marked by his father’s rise within the Tetrarchy, serving under Emperor Diocletian. Educated in Nicomedia, he studied Latin literature, Greek philosophy, and possibly Christian teachings, though he remained a pagan in youth. As a hostage to ensure his father’s loyalty, he lived at Diocletian’s court, gaining insight into imperial politics and military strategy.[4]
In 305, he joined his father in Britain, fighting alongside him against the Picts. After Constantius’ death in 306, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by his troops in York, beginning his ascent amid civil wars against rivals like Maxentius and Licinius.[1][2]
Occupation
Constantine’s primary “occupation” was as a Roman Emperor, ruling from 306 to 337. Initially a military leader, he secured power through victories, notably at Milvian Bridge in 312. His reign involved governing the empire, reforming administration, and standardizing coinage. As a Christian convert, he patronized the Church, funding basilicas like St. Peter’s in Rome and mediating theological disputes, such as the Donatist controversy.[4]
His role extended to urban planning, founding Constantinople in 330 as a Christian capital. While not a priest, his influence on Christianity was profound, shaping its institutional growth through edicts and councils, though he retained some imperial pagan titles like Pontifex Maximus.[2][3]
Vocation
Constantine’s vocation evolved from military leadership to Christian rulership after his conversion in 312, inspired by a vision of a cross and the words “In Hoc Signo Vinces” before defeating Maxentius. With Licinius, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313, legalizing Christianity and restoring confiscated Church property. He convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325, addressing Arianism and establishing the Nicene Creed, a cornerstone of Christian orthodoxy.[1][5]
His commitment to Christian unity included suppressing schisms and promoting Church infrastructure, though he delayed baptism until 337, following custom. His policies, blending imperial authority with Christian ideals, earned him veneration as a defender of the faith, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[2]
Death
Saint Constantine the Great met his end on May 22, 337, in Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire, dying of natural causes after a brief illness. Preparing for a campaign against Persia, he fell ill and sought treatment at hot springs. Baptized by Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia on his deathbed, he died soon after, dressed in white baptismal robes. His body was interred in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, surrounded by symbolic tombs of the apostles.[1][3]
His death marked the end of a transformative reign, with his sons continuing his Christian policies. His veneration as a saint began soon after, driven by his role in Christianity’s triumph, though debated in Western traditions due to his late baptism.[4]
Significant events
- Proclaimed emperor by troops in York, 306, after his father’s death.
- Converted to Christianity after a vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, 312.
- Issued the Edict of Milan with Licinius in 313, legalizing Christianity.
- Founded Constantinople as the new capital in 330.
- Convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325, establishing the Nicene Creed.
- Baptized on his deathbed, dying on May 22, 337, in Nicomedia.[1][2]
Significant locations
Legend
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Constantine as a Servant of God is undocumented, as his veneration predates the modern canonization process. His role in legalizing Christianity and founding Constantinople prompted early Christian communities to honor him, particularly in the East, after his death in 337.[3]
Venerable
Constantine was not formally declared Venerable, as his sainthood emerged through pre-Congregation practices. His contributions to Christianity, including the Edict of Milan and Nicaea, led to widespread veneration by the 4th century, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[4]
Beatification
No distinct beatification process is recorded for Saint Constantine, as his recognition as a saint relied on popular devotion and ecclesiastical acknowledgment. His cult developed in Constantinople and other Christian centers, driven by his imperial patronage.[2]
Canonization
Saint Constantine was canonized through pre-Congregation processes, likely in the centuries following his death. No specific canonization date, canonizer, or location is recorded, as his sainthood was affirmed by tradition. His inclusion in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, with a feast day of May 21, confirms his status, though his sainthood is less emphasized in the Roman Catholic Church.[3][5]
Miracles
No specific miracles are documented for Saint Constantine’s canonization, as his veneration was based on his contributions to Christianity rather than miraculous acts. His vision before Milvian Bridge was considered providential, sufficient for early recognition.[1]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle is recorded, as Constantine’s recognition predates the modern beatification process.
Miracle for canonization
No miracle is recorded, as his sainthood was established through his historical impact and devotion in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.[2]
Other notable miracles
- His vision of the cross with “In Hoc Signo Vinces” before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, leading to his victory and conversion.[1]
- The discovery of the True Cross by his mother, Saint Helena, attributed to divine guidance under his patronage.[4]
Patronage
Saint Constantine the Great is the patron saint of converts, emperors, and Christian rulers.[3]
Feast day
Saint Constantine’s feast day is celebrated on May 21 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, and some Roman Catholic traditions, often alongside his mother, Saint Helena.[5]
Veneration
Saint Constantine is venerated through prayers, liturgies, and icons, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is honored as “Equal to the Apostles.” His feast day celebrations include Divine Liturgies and hymns praising his role in Christianity’s spread. Icons depict him with the Labarum, cross, or imperial regalia, often beside Saint Helena. Pilgrimages to sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Constantinople’s historical churches reflect his legacy.[1][2]
His influence is evident in the enduring use of the Chi-Rho symbol and the Nicene Creed. In the West, his sainthood is debated due to his late baptism and political actions, but he is commemorated in some Roman Catholic and Anglican calendars. The Church of the Holy Apostles, though largely destroyed, remains a symbolic shrine, with his legacy celebrated in Orthodox nations like Greece and Serbia.[4][3]
Books
Written about the saint
- Life of Constantine by Eusebius, translated by Averil Cameron and Stuart G. Hall[1]
- Constantine and the Christian Empire by Charles Matson Odahl[2]
- Constantine and Eusebius by Timothy D. Barnes[4]
Written by the saint
- None recorded, though Constantine issued edicts, such as the Edict of Milan, and letters preserved in historical sources like Eusebius’ works.[1]
External links
- Saint Constantine the Great at CatholicSaints.Info
- Saint Constantine the Great at Catholic Online
- Constantine the Great in the Catholic Encyclopedia[3]
- Constantine the Great at Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Eusebius (1999). Averil Cameron, Stuart G. Hall. ed. Life of Constantine. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198149170.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Odahl, Charles Matson (2004). Constantine and the Christian Empire. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415174855.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Constantine the Great". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Barnes, Timothy D. (1981). Constantine and Eusebius. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0674165311.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lenski, Noel (2006). The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521521574.