Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: May 21
When did Saint Constantine the Great live: 285 - 337
BIOGRAPHY:
Saint Constantine the Great was born around the year 285 in Naissus (modern-day Nis, Serbia) as the son of the future Emperor Constantius I Chlorus and Saint Helena. After his father's death in 306, he was proclaimed Augustus by the army and over the following years, he emerged victorious in several power struggles. In 312, before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, legend states that he saw the Christogram with the words "In hoc signo vinces" ("In this sign, you shall conquer"). Following his victory, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313, granting Christians the freedom to practice their religion. In 325, he convened the First Council of Nicaea, which formulated the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, a fundamental statement of Christian faith. He founded the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), making it the new capital of the Roman Empire. Constantine was baptized shortly before his death in 337. He is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church and, while listed in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, he is mainly honored by the Eastern Catholic Churches.
PATRONAGE:
St. Constantine the Great is the patron saint of the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and is referred to as "Equal to the Apostles" in the Orthodox Church.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of Saint Constantine the Great are the sceptre, which represents his royal authority and temporal power, and the orb, which symbolizes his rule over the Christian world.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Konstantin, Konstanze, Constanze, Constantin, Constantia, Constans, Konsti, Connie, Costin, Stanislaus, Costantino, Costanza, Costante.