Constantine
Constantine the Great was the first Christian Emperor, who under the Edict of Milan, put an end to centuries-long Christian persecution and established religious tolerance for all. Under the Edict of Milan, religious tolerance for all was established and land was given back to Christians and Bishops.
Though he never established Christianity as the official Roman religion, or forced people to adopt Christianity as their religion, Christianity flourished under Constantine's reign because he paid patronage to spectacular church buildings, sent his mother on a pilgrimage to restore significant monuments and temples, and many followed their great leader's religious faith.
The authenticity of Constantine's faith is questioned by historians and critics, his conversion is marked by a sign he and his soldiers saw in the sky, that said, by this sign you will conquer. That night he also had a dream to emblazon the Chi-Rho sign on his shields during the epic battle soon to take place.
Contrary to claims of the sign representing Christian imperialism, the intent of battle between two opposing forces was a precursor to the sign. The sign was to represent where Constantine would draw his strength. After his opponent was defeated, Constantine's life demonstrated a succession of acts spoke of his belief that the state could not flourish without God's help and his faith in general.
Christian imperialism, and the pursuit of state rule in favor of religion dubbed Constantinian Christianity, while certainly persisted thorughout history. Much of the unsavory Christian imperialism happened subsequent to his reign, through crusades and.
He paid patronage. He declared religious tolerance. And when a division brewed, he stood behind trinity, Jesus, Holy Spirit and God in one and created the Nicene Creed, which is recited across churches today that declare the basis of the Christian faith.
Despite these acts, the authenticity of his faith is often disputed. When declaring Sunday as a day of rest, he referred to it as the Day of the Son, the pagan god, instead of the day of the Lord. And after his triumphant victory, his arch depicted pagan symbolisms. Furthermore, like former brutal emperors before him, he had his son excecuted after his wife accused him of seducing her. When his mother Helena convinced Constantine of his son's innocence, he had his wife executed. And he did not spare his opponent's life despite the pleading of his wife, who also happened to be his cousin.
Constantine's life is not without warranted scrutiny and dotted with less than Christian ideals. But There are also criticisms surrounding Constantinian Christianity, where state and church, and the justification of war in the name of religion, though the persectuion of Christians by Christians, and pagans by Christian was a practice that followed Constantine's death.
Despite the controversy and flaws in Constantine's life, Constantine put an end to Christian persecution, reiumbrsed land back to bishops, preserved sacred Christian artifacts, solidified the belief of Christian faith of father, son and holy spirt, and put an end to animal sacrifice and put an end to brutal gladiator games at the coliseum. He showed his faith by supporting bishops and displaying his faith through large buildings, but he also showed his faith through humanity.
The Chirho necklace represents the Chirho (christ) letters. After he saw this in the sky, he put them on shields and won the battle. The emblam was significant as this was more than just a battle beween two men but two divine powers.
The nicene creed.
The Chirho sign was then placed on roman coin. Opposite of the Chirho is a picture of Constantine's son, also a Christian, though more controversial than his father. There was no coin made with Constantine the great and the chirho sign, but this coin represents one with the Chirho sign and his son.
His faith questioned: Arch. The day of rest, was not
Against Pagans. He condemned paganism yet insisted that he not harm neighbor.
Constantine was not without Controversy. He had his son executed because he believed his son seduced his second wife. Then when he found this to be untrue, had that accusing wife executed. His