Orthodox Icon of Saint Constantine

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May 21st
Troparion (Tone 5)
O Lord, Thy disciple Emperor Constantine, who saw in the sky the Sign of Thy Cross, accepted the call that came straight from Thee, as it happened to Paul, and not from any man. He built his capital and entrusted it to Thy care. Preserve our country in everlasting peace, through the intercession of the Mother of God, for Thou art the Lover of mankind.

Emperor Constantine was the son of Emperor Constantius Chlorus and Empress Helena. When he came to the throne, he fought two large battles to keep the empire together. Before the battle against Maxentius of Rome, Constantine was despairing of success, when a shining cross surrounded by stars appeared in the sky, in mid-day. On the cross were written the words, "By this sign, conquer." Constantine had a great cross made, like the one he had seen, to be carried in front of the army. They were victorious. Immediately he issued the Edict of Milan, in 313, which put an end to the persecution of Christians. He went on to conquer Byzantium and moved his capital to a new city on the Bosphorus, naming it Constantinople. Constantine believed in Christ, but was not willing to be baptized for fear he would prove unworthy of it. Then he was stricken with leprosy to the point of near death. The pagan priests and doctors told him to bathe in the blood of slaughtered children to be healed, which he refused to do. Ss. Peter & Paul appeared to him and told him to summon Bishop Sylvester. St. Sylvester came, instructed Constantine in the Christian faith and baptized him, washing the leprosy away. When the heretic Arius was disturbing the Church, Constantine called the Church to the Council in Nicaea, which became known as the First Ecumenical Council. Constantine reposed in 337 at about 60 years old.

This Icon is by the hand of Robert S. Burt. Inscription is in Greek.

Order # rsb-14