Constantine has Vision of the Cross
Another religious epiphany. Again, it’s fascinating, but no one can ever truly know the truth about what really happened. And that makes it so much more intriguing.
Today is October 27, 2017, and on this date, 1,705 years back, in 312, Constantine the Great had a vision of the cross.
Constantine the Great was the 57th Emperor of the Roman Empire and ruled until his death in 337. He was born to a Christian woman and a man of murky religious standing. This led to him being sympathetic to Christians as a ruler, but on the night before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine experienced a vision of the cross that would begin his full conversion to Christianity, making him the first Christian Emperor of Rome.
His vision told him to mark his soldiers’ shields with a Latin Cross for protection, which he did. And he won the battle, giving him unquestioned control over the entire Roman Empire, which paved the way for the widespread adoption of Christianity, an event that is still resonating today.
Granted, the growth of Christianity was somewhat slow, it is undeniable that Constantine’s religious reforms, such as offering Christians legal protections against persecution, and legitimacy, set the stage for centuries to come.
In 313, he legalized Christianity. By the 320’s, pagan iconography was disappearing from coinage and other official imperial insignias. Soon, the old gods were replaced by Christian symbols.
It’s also notable that Constantine’s decisions regarding Christianity also helped to further distinguish the fledgling religion from the older a more solidly established Judaism. Without ever malevolently persecuting them, he made several laws that took power away from Jews, while granting more power and influence to Christians. This is yet another aspect of his reign that is still echoing throughout the ages, as it can be construed as the origin of anti-Semitism in Christian Europe.
Sorry for the late posting, it was a hectic day. But thanks for reading and be sure to check back tomorrow for a less pleasant tale of Christianity in Medieval Europe.
Creating quality content on a daily schedule requires a massive commitment, and my desire is to not only do that, but expand into even more mediums (audio podcasts, web videos, etc.). If you enjoy these posts, or would like for them to be available in other formats, please consider supporting me on Patreon. Just $1 a month will help a ton, as well as get you access to exclusive content. Thanks.
