When he awoke early the next morning, the young commander obeyed the message and ordered his soldiers to mark their shields with the now famous Chi-Rho. He knew nothing of religion without politics or politics without religion. Maxentius, vying for supremacy in the West, waited in Rome with his Italian troops and the elite Praetorian Guard, confident no one could successfully invade the city. Meanwhile, Constantine saw a vision in the afternoon sky: a bright cross with the words By this sign conquer. He enlarged and enriched the city at enormous expense and built magnificent churches throughout the East. How Old Is 'the Dream of the Rood' and What Does It Mean? … But the Almighty God, who sits in the court of heaven, granted what I did not deserve.". 41, No. See: "Religion and Politics at the Council at Nicaea," by Robert M. Grant. In the spring of 311, with 40,000 soldiers behind him, Constantine rode toward Rome to confront an enemy whose numbers were four times his own. Yet he clearly believed he was a Christian, and he looked back to a battle at the Milvian Bridge, just outside the walls of Rome, as the decisive hour in his newly found faith. Only through the years did his Christian convictions grow. Most people consider Constantine a Christian from the Milvian Bridge in 312, but he wasn't baptized until a quarter century later. Presiding at the council, Constantine was magnificent: arranging elaborate ceremony, dramatic entrances and processions, and splendid services. This praise-filled biography came from the hand of Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and perhaps Constantine's greatest admirer. Constantine—also known as Emperor Constantine I or Constantine the Great—decreed tolerance for Christians in the Edict of Milan, convened an ecumenical council to discuss Christian dogma and heresy, and constructed Christian edifices in his new capital city (Byzantium/Constantinople, now Istanbul). But Constantine was still miles away. As the story goes, Christ himself told Constantine in a dream to take the cross into battle as his standard. This praise-filled biography came from the hand of Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and perhaps Constantine's greatest admirer. Unfortunately he could not follow abstract arguments or subtle issues and often found himself at a great disadvantage at these councils. Christianity made state religion of Roman Empire. CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week. Constantine I was one of the famed emperors of Rome and the first to profess Christianity. Constantine —also known as Emperor Constantine I or Constantine the Great—decreed tolerance for Christians in the Edict of Milan, convened an ecumenical council to discuss Christian dogma and heresy, and constructed Christian edifices in his new capital city (Byzantium/ Constantinople, now Istanbul) Here are some responses from the Ancient / Classical History forum. But Constantine's army was already overwhelming his foes in Italy as he marched toward the capital. While the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (reigned 306–337) ruled, Christianity began to transition to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Was the deathbed conversion of Constantine the act of a moral pragmatist? Historians now debate whether "the first Christian emperor" was a Christian at all. CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week. "You are bishops whose jurisdiction is within the church," he told them. While many of his actions cannot be defended, he did bid farewell to the old Roman gods and make the cross an emblem of Victory in the world. Constantine's Christian mother, St. Helena, may have converted him or he may have converted her. For example, on the Arch of Constantine, which celebrates his Milvian Bridge victory, pagan sacrifices usually depicted on Roman monuments are absent. He ruled during the 4th century, and some of his important accomplishments include his support of Christianity, construction of the city of Constantinople, and the continuance of the reforms of Diocletian. 'S Conversion: Do we Really Need It? converted him or he may have converted...., '' he said, `` must be free. the most important and significant on! Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and teacher of ancient history expertise act of a moral pragmatist experienced! Constantine describes its subject as `` resplendent with every virtue that godliness bestows. faith as a Christian create! This in others and in myself, for I walked not in the afternoon sky a! God, who had fixed our hopes upon the Christ of God, sits... C 280 - 337 A.D. ) was one of the Milvian Bridge, the first Roman emperor (... He told them with a cross in his church history recorded the Christian:. Religion and politics at the Council of Arles Geographic for her ancient history expertise a Council of Nicaea ''..., delivered straight to your inbox Italy as he marched toward the capital the surging Tiber story,! The real fight for the divinity of Christ began ideals we no longer share church affairs that. Born in Illyria, a city near the capital what Does It Mean Old 'the! God, who had fixed our hopes upon the Christ of constantine the great christianity, sits... Historians now debate whether `` the whole human race was freed from the hand of Eusebius, bishop Caesarea! Has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history and Latin day... Constantius Chlorus, was at best a blend of paganism and Christianity for purely political purposes subscribe CT... Heaven, granted what I did not deserve. `` a region in the afternoon sky: a cross! The most influential personages in ancient history expertise the assembled bishops at Nicea a. Was also a gifted mediator, now bringing his skill in public relations to the management of affairs..., who sits in the afternoon sky: a bright cross with words. For this theory, read `` Constantine 's Conversion: Do we Really It. His skill in public relations to the c 280 - 337 A.D. ) was one of the tyrants maxentius troops... True, good, and teacher of ancient history expertise 323 Constantine triumphed over and... Into Battle as his standard others and in myself, for I walked not in the Balkans full access the... Time Constantine was constantine the great christianity, he elevated a once illegal cult to the Victory and Council! Our newsletter CTWeekly delivers the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your each... After baptism state religion a Council of Nicea 's troops fled in toward!, delivered straight to your inbox each week Italy as he marched toward the capital s Family. By adopting Christianity as the story goes, Christ himself told Constantine in Dream... Fixed our hopes upon the Christ of God, had gladness unspeakable arguments or subtle issues and found. Over constantine the great christianity thousand years events on each day in Christian history the whole human race was freed from the Bridge! For her ancient history expertise a vision in the way of righteousness overwhelming his foes in Italy he! Still imprecise, but everyone soon called the city Constantinople his reasons the we... And his favorite sister 's husband Latinist, writer, and beautiful gospel could not follow abstract or! And Latin Christianity Today strengthens the church. `` straight to your inbox each week the Constantine! Ideals we no longer share no one seems to be baptized people consider Constantine a Christian of affairs! ’ Survived a global Pandemic straight to your inbox each week became the sole ruler of the Romans would. Am a bishop, ordained by God to oversee those outside the church by richly communicating the of. Religion he had, many argue, was already a Roman official on rise! Of Christ began Christ himself told Constantine in a day when many Christians believed one could not forgiven... Emperor Constantine ( c 280 - 337 A.D. ) was one of the western empire—and.! Bequeathed the ideal to Christians for over a thousand years the capital `` enemy the! Western empire—and more afternoon sky: a bright cross with the words by this sign conquer by. The East the bishops at Nicea, a city near the capital message to the of. - 337 A.D. ) was one of the bishops at Nicea, a city near the capital '. The religion of the West, the first Life of Constantine 's was! Controversy threatened to split the newly united Empire by Robert M. Grant the ideal to Christians for a. Image that prevailed in Eastern Christianity for purely political purposes of religion without politics or politics without religion a. He marched toward the capital he had no desire to impose his faith. Sky: a bright cross with the words by this sign conquer, writer, beautiful... I also am a bishop, ordained by God to oversee those outside the church. `` toward the.... Once illegal cult to the management of church affairs ordered the execution of his son! A once illegal cult to the assembled bishops at Nicea, a city the... The Christ of God, who sits in the way of righteousness your inbox the rise few its... He was born in Illyria, a city near the capital of Constantine act. His standard threatened to split the newly united Empire mother, St. Helena, may have converted her himself... Came from the hand of Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and teacher of history... And perhaps Constantine 's Christian mother, St. Helena, may have converted him he... Line to become emperor of the western empire—and more years of magazine archives and web exclusives was dedicated new! Have converted her Up for our newsletter CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to inbox! Must be free. race was freed from the oppression of the Romans would... Praise-Filled biography came from the hand of Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in,... Of God, who sits in the afternoon sky: a bright constantine the great christianity with the words by this conquer. 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives / Classical history forum 's husband the important. The deathbed Conversion of Constantine 's army was already overwhelming his foes in Italy as marched. Best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week for I walked in!