Constantine: Pagan or Christian?
The first three centuries of the Christian era were marred with persecutions and intolerance for the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time the Roman Empire itself was going through changes. For in 285 AD Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in half, taking the eastern branch of the empire for himself and assumed the title of Augustus. In 303 Diocletian began to persecute Christians and ordered that all Christian churches be destroyed, as well as all Christian books and other texts. In 305 Diocletian stepped down as emperor, and Constantius (the father of Constantine) became Augustus along with Galerius, who ended the Diocletian persecution of Christians when he issued the Edict of Toleration in Serdica in the year 311 AD.
Shortly after Constantius assumed the title of Augustus, he led his army to the shores of Britain, in order to subdue the wiles of the island’s rough and rowdy natives. Unfortunately Constantius fell sick during his venture in Britain and ended up dying in Eboracum (modern-day York) in 306 AD. But at Constantius’ side was his son Constantine. Constantine has been described as a big and tall, impressive looking man. His father’s troops were impressed enough too, for they soon hailed Constantine as the successor to Constantius, and was also crowned the Augustus of the Western empire. Constantine emerged victorious in a series of civil wars against Emperors Maxentius and Licinius to become the sole ruler of both the Eastern and Western empire by 324 AD.
In 312, Constantine swept through Italy and came against Maxentius in Rome. Seeing that he would need more troops to overtake Maxentius, Constantine turned to God. However, being pagan at this time, Constantine did not know which god to pray to. Taking a leap of faith Constantine called on the god of the Christians. Then as he fervently prayed he saw the sign of the cross in the sky, above the sun, along with the inscription, “In Hoc Signo Vinces” meaning – In This Sign Conquer. Constantine was dumbstruck by this vision as was his entire army, for they also witnessed the miracle. That night before fighting Maxentius at the Battle of the Milivian Bridge, Constantine had a dream. In the dream he saw a cross in the heavens with the same inscription, “In this sign conquer.” Upon awaking from the dream, Constantine rose up and told his friends the sign that the god of the Christians had given him.
With the news of Constantine’s vision, the army rallied with enthusiasm knowing they were blessed by the favor of the god of the Christians. Constantine then ordered a Christian symbol to be painted on the shields of his soldiers. The next day Constantine and his troops marched into battle and won! Through the power of Constantine’s vision, and it’s fulfillment, the emperor became a Christian, as did his army, and in the near future, so would the entire Roman Empire. For in 313 AD Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity and allowed freedom of worship for Roman subjects all throughout the empire. At this time however, Licinius was the Eastern emperor, but by 324 Constantine defeated him and took control over both the Eastern and Western branches of the empire. Constantine then founded the city of Constantinople over the site of what was once Byzantium.
During his reign, Constantine made strides in order to strengthen and secure his power throughout the empire. Constantine also continued to proclaim Christianity, and he even summoned Christian bishops and other clergy members in order to clear up doctrinal differences that were raging at the time. Ultimately Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD which confirmed the divine nature of Jesus Christ, birthed the construction of the Nicene Creed, and established the observance of the date of Easter. Constantine also reorganized the army, which helped him defeat the barbarian tribes of Europe such as the Visigoths and the Sarmatians.
Constantine would go on to give vast amounts of money to the churches of God, in order to build places of worship throughout the empire. He also gave a great deal of money to the poor and needy, to Christian and non-Christians alike. Although Constantine was benevolent and even though he legalized and promoted Christianity, the man himself was not yet baptized. However, soon after the Feast of Easter in 337, Constantine fell seriously ill. Seeking salvation, he became a catechumen, and was baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia. Constantine died soon after on the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day directly following the Feast of Pascha on 22 May 337 AD. Soon after he was buried in Constantinople at the Church of the Apostles.
From what has been stated it could be argued that Constantine was not a true believer due to him waiting until he was on his deathbed to accept Christ in baptism. However, other schools of thought teach that Constantine could have been preparing himself for baptism ever since his vision of the cross. Whether he was pagan or Christian, Constantine did pave the way for the establishment of the Church as a well organized body. Also through his edicts Christians were free to worship without the fear of persecution or death. By his closeness to Christian clergy the beginning of the Church’s Ecumenical Councils were also birthed. So to some Constantine may be thought of as just another pagan despot, but to the Greek Orthodox Church he is proclaimed as Saint Constantine the Great!
References:
Carroll, J. Constantine’s Sword. (New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001).
Eusebius. Eusebius of Caesarea: Ecclesiastical History. (2010).
Norwich, J.J. A Short History of Byzantium. (New York, NY: Vintage Books, 1999).
Robinson, J.J. Dungeon, Fire & Sword. (Lanham, Maryland: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group Inc., 2009).
