SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Questions & Answers

Constantine

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › St. Mary and the Saints › Constantine

The question

Why is Emperor Constantine canonized as a Saint (at least in the Eastern Orthodox Church)? The most cursory glance at history would show him very much steeped in paganism and with vicious military/foreign policies. In addition, he was baptized on his deathbed not to mention by an Arian. Are there any Traditions or Patristic writings (Lactantius aside) that would show that he truly deserves canonicity?

The answer

Our Church celebrates Emperor Constantine and calls him the great for his role in ending the persecution of the Christians and promoting Christianity. Emperor Constantine was very much involved in the Church's affairs, had churches built and made legislations based on Christian beliefs and morals. The Nicene Creed was first adopted at the first ecumenical council convened by Emperor Constantine in Nicea in 325 AD. Constantine made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire (Edict of Milan, early in 313).

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1126 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.