The icon of St. Constantine depicts the Roman emperor, who did a lot for the development of Christianity. Without this person, it is not known how widely the Christian faith would have spread and what it would be like now.
Who was Konstantin?
Constantine the Great - this is how the emperor is called in all history textbooks, feature and documentary films, and literary works. In Christianity, he and his mother, Elena, are revered as equals to the apostles.
This man was born in 272 or 274, as historians believe, on the territory of modern Serbia, in a place called Naiss. Now it is the city of Nis. It is impossible to establish the exact date of birth of the future saint, but the day of his birth does not cause controversy - this is February 27.
About the childhood of the futurethere is practically no information about the emperor. The first mention of him in the chronicles dates back to 306, during which the army proclaimed Constantine augustus, that is, emperor.
Who were Konstantin's parents?
The saint's father is known to historians as Constantius the First Chlorine. He seized the throne in 293, and received the nickname "Chlorine" for the pallor of his skin. This man founded the Constantine dynasty and was very popular among the military. He died suddenly, without completing the punitive military campaign. Such a death caused a crisis in the country, known as the "tetrarchy". In other words, the power of four people bearing the title of tetrarchs. The emperor Diocletian introduced this concept. Because of this crisis, Constantine's rise to power was carried out through numerous military skirmishes, battles, in fact, events not much different from a civil war.
Constantine's mother, Helena, revered in Christianity along with her son, was not his father's wife. This is an unprecedented case of canonization, moreover, in such a rank, of a woman who spent her life in sin. Elena was a concubine. So in Rome they called women of low origin, cohabiting with men out of wedlock, being on the payroll, but not being harlots. Children born in such unions had no rights to property, status, titles, and so on. Of course, such a nuance also made Constantine's rise to power more difficult than the political crisis and the four tetrarchs with their supporting troops.
What is the contribution of Constantine to Christians?
The Emperor not only stopped the persecution of Christianity andpersecution of those who professed this faith. He did much more. The emperor officially transferred the capital from Rome to Constantinople, then called Byzantium, and initiated the convening of the Council of Nicaea. In general, he actively participated in the formation of the church as an integral structure with its own hierarchy, order, distribution of duties between employees and other features characteristic of any organization.
Besides this, Constantine is the first Christian emperor in world history. In addition to the fact that the emperor himself was baptized, he also gave Christianity the status of a state religion. This is extremely important, because without this status, there would be no active missionary activity and mass dissemination of faith in Christ. In fact, Constantine brought a religion that had neither a clear structure, nor a large number of followers, nor a significant number of temples and priests, to a new level for it. It can be argued that the emperor was the one who made the church the way the whole world knows it today.
Why did he become a Christian?
The icon of St. Constantine is an image that was made by different masters without observing a single style. Even the appearance of the emperor is prescribed with differences. At the same time, none of the works resembles the preserved Roman busts depicting the emperor. He is depicted with his mother carrying a crucifix, in the form of a strict king with knitted eyebrows, he is written as a young man and an old man. And of course, not a single icon of St. Constantine suggests why thisa man turned to Christ.
There are two legends that explain the actions of the emperor and his attitude towards Christians. The first of them tells that on the eve of the battle at the Milvian bridge with the army of Maxentius, in which objectively Constantine could not win in any way, the emperor had an unusual dream. In a slumber, Christ himself appeared to him and ordered him to draw the letters “XP” on shields, banners and other similar objects, saying that with this Constantine would win. Like it or not - it is not known, but the letters were actually inscribed - this is an indisputable historical fact. Moreover, Constantine's troops won with incredibly low losses, and this is also a historical fact.
The second legend is not as beautiful as the first. It says that the emperor was afraid of the punishment of the gods for a very serious crime - the murder of his first wife and son. According to legend, Constantine suspected them of an intimate relationship, fell into a rage and executed both without understanding. At that time, the emperor was already divorced from his first wife and was married to the stepdaughter of one of the most noble citizens of Rome. There is another version that connects the firstborn of the emperor not with his mother, but with the second wife of Constantine.
When he felt the nearness of death, he was afraid of death torments and adopted another religion, in which he was forgiven for a terrible sin. No one can say how true this legend is. However, the benefactor of Christianity was baptized only before his death, at the very end of his life.
When they rememberConstantine? Are there special icons with his image?
The icon of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and his mother Helena is taken out for worship on May 21 or June 3, depending on the style of reckoning. On the same day, services are held in his honor, and those named with the same name celebrate the day of the Angel.
Special significance is attached to the icon depicting not only the emperor, but also his mother, carrying the cross. It is generally accepted that before this icon you need to pray before starting any business, important changes in life. It is customary to put a candle in front of this image on the eve of the start of building a house.
Not a single existing icon of St. Constantine, either depicting him alone or dedicated to him and his mother, is miraculous. The very first ancient image of the ex altation of the Cross of the Lord by Helena and Constantine, created in Byzantium, is considered lost.
What to pray in front of his icon?
Who and what does Saint Constantine help? The icon and prayer will save him from misfortunes in business, when communicating with government officials. The saint patronizes people-strategists, regardless of the area in which they work. Helps to bring plans to life.
Here is a small list showing what to pray for the holy icon of Constantine is accepted:
- material we alth, prosperity, stability and growth in business and career;
- help in new endeavors, business projects;
- success in social activities and in the political arena.
Of course, they turn to the saint with other requests. But, as a rule, Constantine is not asked to give personal happiness and other similar things.
