Embroidered epigonation with the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena.

Embroidered epigonation with the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena.

This great emperor, the blessed and ever-remembered Constantine, was the son of Constantius, called Chlorus, and the honorable Helena. Constantius was the grandson of the daughter of Claudius, who ruled Rome before Diocletian and Carinus. Accepted by Diocletian and Maxentius Herculius as a partner in their empire, he showed gentleness and mercy toward Christians. He supported those who struggled for the faith in Christ, providing them with advisors and companions in imperial duties.

Teaching his beloved son Constantine to honor rightly, Constantius left him as heir to his empire in the British Isles. Upon learning of the wicked deeds of Maxentius, son of Herculius, Constantine, guided by his faith, marched with his armies against him. God appeared first in a dream and later at midday, showing him the sign of the Cross written in stars. Courageously, he marked the sign of the Cross in gold on his weapons and went to Rome. Maxentius was thrown into the Tiber River near the Milvian Bridge, and Constantine freed the citizens of Rome from his tyranny.

The great Constantine set out for Ilion, intending to build a city in his own name. But God commanded him to establish the city in Byzantium. He obeyed the divine will and built the city under God’s protection, offering it as the firstfruits of his faith.

To defend the Orthodox faith, he convened the bishops at Nicaea, where the Son was recognized as consubstantial with the Father. Arius and his followers were anathematized. He also sent his mother, Helena, to Jerusalem to search for the holy wood upon which Christ was crucified. Part of the wood remained in Jerusalem, and the other part was brought to the imperial city.

Empress Helena passed away in Constantinople. Emperor Constantine adorned the city with renovations and celebrations. After forty-two years of reign, he waged war against the Persians. Near Nicomedia, he departed to the Lord. His body was brought to the imperial city and received with veneration, being laid to rest in the Church of the Holy Apostles.

He reigned in New Rome in the year 5818 since the creation of the world and in the year 337 from the Incarnation of the Savior. He was the thirty-second emperor since Augustus.

source: ORTODOXIA.ro