Description
Saint Constantine, also referred to as Equal to the Apostles or Constantine the Great, was a Roman Emperor in the 4th century AD. Emperor Constantine was the son of Constantine Chlorus and Helen, and served as the leader of the western Roman Empire following his fathers death in 306 AD.
According to tradition, in 312 AD, Constantine witnessed a cross appear in the sky accompanied by the words “By this shalt thou conquer.” This was referring to his campaign against Maxentius and Maximus, who had come together against Constantine. The next night, Jesus Christ appeared to Constantine in his sleep, telling him the significance of the Cross and its power. Constantine succeeded against Maxentius and Maximus, and was declared Emperor of the West by the Roman Senate. Meanwhile, his brother-in-law, Licinius, was Emperor of the East. During his rule, Licinius began persecuting Christians, leading Constantine to fight him. In 324 AD, Constantine defeated Licinius, ending the persecution of Christians in the region, and became Emperor of both the West and East. In 325 AD, Constantine held the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea and in 330 AD, he began building the new capital of his empire, naming it Constantinople.
Saint Constantine is depicted holding a cross, referencing his vision of the cross. Both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church commemorate Saint Constantine on May 21; however, he is more widely celebrated by the Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
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