Constantine’s mother, Saint Helen, was a big proponent for the expansion of Christianity She made a journey to Jerusalem in the year 326 (or about) in order to find the Holy Cross itself, which was hidden and covered in stones. Saint Constantine also made Byzantium the center of the world, also changing its name to Constantinople in the process. As a result of Saint Constantine’s effort, all persecution against Christians in the Roman Empire stopped. He then attacked and conquered Rome and all of Italy in Christ. The next day, he inscribed the Cross into every soldier’s shield and made a banner proclaiming the name of God.

During his sleep, Christ appeared to him and explained the significance and power of the Cross. During a battle in Italy in which he was severely outnumbered, he saw a cross in the sky, with the words “By this shalt thou conquer”. As Emperor, Constantine was also a military ruler. At 34 years old, his father died, leaving him to rule the land. Kontakion in the Fourth Toneįor the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.Saint Constantine was the son of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and his wife Helen. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. As Saint Constantine dedicated a city to uphold the Christian character, we also should uphold the Christian charter here in Virginia. Our Church is proudly dedicated to these two great Saints, They were a mother and son who accomplished so much, and we today, should continue their work. History tells us that Saint Helen discovered the Cross of Christ during a tour of Golgatha, and the Constantine was victorious in battle, a crucial battle, fighting under the banner of the Cross. One only has to look at an icon of these two great Saints of our Church and notice the Cross that stands between them. So many things can be said about Saint Constantine, but the one that should be stressed is his dual purpose with his beloved mother, Saint Helen.

Constantinople stands a memory to Constantine whose dream it was to turn the ancient City of Byzantium in a a Christian city who architecture would be dedicated to the glory of God. What did Constantine have to gain by allowing Christianity to be taught and practiced throughout the Empire? It was under the reign of Constantine that Christianity was able to take its position as a Faith and begin to grow, not only in numbers but also in stature.Īnyone who has ever had the opportunity to visit the grand city of our Church, Constantinople, can attest to the beauty and prominence of the city, which is dedicated to Saint Constantine. Saint Constantine was a skilled leader of men and a powerful Emperor. Satints Constantine and Helen each gave gifts to what we affectionately call the Christian faith. On May 21st our Orthodox Church celebrates the Feastday of a mother and son whose influence on Christianity may never be duplicated. Churches today place relics of the saints inside the Altar table as well as in places for veneration in the church in remembrance of these holy men and women in our lives. These communities were dedicated with the name of the martyr, and he or she was called upon by the community who worshiped there to act as an intercessor and protector for the faithful.

Early churches were built at the site of the graves of many of the Holy Martyrs. Individual faithful and parish communities are called upon to take a patron saint, in the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church. The saints of the church, who are alive in Christ, are not only models whose lives and devotion to God we should strive to emulate, but also are intercessors to God. Our Patron Saint - Saints Constantine and Helen

Royal order of constantine