My beloved spiritual children in Our Risen Lord and Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
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ON THE 21st OF MAY, THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS GOD-CROWNED EMPERORS AND EQUALS-TO-THE-APOSTLES CONSTANTINE AND HELEN.
Constantine the Great and ever-memorable first emperors of the Christians, the Byzantine autocrat, and builder of Constantinople, was born at Naissus, present-day Nis of Dardania in the area that now belongs in today's Serbia and Croatia, 274 A.D. His father, Flavius Constantius, drawn from an Illyrian background, was then a general of the Roman government. Afterward, he was proclaimed Caesar of the westernmost part of the Empire, that is, Britannia, Galatia (Gaul), Spain, and other territories. On account of Constantius' pale countenance, he was surnamed Chlorus. The mother of Saint Constantine was the most pious and holy Empress Helen (Eleni) who, together with her son, is commemorated this day. The blessed Helen hailed from Bithynia of Asia Minor. She was born in a city called Drepanum which had the honor to be renamed Helenopolis (Elenoupolis), later, by the Great Constantine. On Constantine's mother's side, he was a nephew of Emperor Claudius II (268-270 A.D.)
Saint Helen
A daughter was born, 255 A.D., to an innkeeper at Drepanum of Bithynia on the Nicomedian Gulf. Her name was Helen. She was believed to be of humble parentage. She bore her poverty with dignity, Saint Ambrose, in his Oration de obitu Theodosii," referred to her as a stabularia or innkeeper. As she grew, the slender, blond lass helped her pagan parents attend to the needs of travelers who halted to find rest and refreshment at their establishment in Naissus. Life was not only difficult and primitive but there was also the threat of an invasion by hordes of Sarmatians and Goths. In June of 271 A.D., a twenty-three-year-old military Tribune named Flavius Constantius, entered Naissus. He was tall, thin, well-built, of fair complexion, and grey-blue eyes, with an elegant nose. He cut an impressive figure in uniform. He, too, was from a small village further north. His arrival together with his troops, animated the villagers. The distinguished Tribune would stay at the inn for several days. Sixteen-year-old Helen and her parents took care of their guests. Constantius feel in love with the gracious lass and asked for her hand in marriage. Helen soon conceived and bore Constantine. She raised him alone, as Constantius moved up the ranks in the legion commanded by Diocles, another Illyrian. Nine years had passed. Constantius was summoned to the tent of Emperor Carus (282-283 A.D.), the general the legions had chosen as Emperor after the slaying of Emperor Probus (276-282 A.D.) eight months later. Carus appointed Constantius to the governorship of Dalmatia, the Illyrian Province along the Adriatic. Helen and little Constantine were brought to Salonae and the governor's mansion. All chroniclers of the time agree that Flavius Constantius did marry Helen, but in a matrimonium concubinatum, a form of marriage the law allowed for one of the equestrian class to marry a peasant. Any child from the union was considered legitimate, but the son had limited rights when inheriting from his father. Divorce also was easier in such marriages. What was important to Flavius Constantius was that his son would be regarded as legitimate. Constantius arranged for tutors to teach both mother and son.
The Tetrarchy of the Roman Empire
During that era of the birth of the Great Constantine, the Roman Empire was in a most terrible state of chaos. The emperors, one after the other, were murdered. When one came to the throne, he was succeeded in but a short time by another. In the year 284 A.D., with the murder of Numerian (283-284 A.D.), Diocletian of Dalmatia was proclaimed emperor. He was to become a great persecutor of the Christians. Diocletian reigned for twenty years. Now two years after his accession, that is, in 286 A.D. he divided the Roman Empire into two. The Eastern part included Illyricum, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt. The capital was at Nicomedia of Asia Minor, where Diocletian had his residence and spent much of his time. The Western part included Rome and Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britannia, and North Africa. The capital was at Milan (Mediolana), where Diocletian established his trusted friend Maximian, surnamed Herculius (Hercules or Herakles), who hailed from Sirmium of Pannonia.
Much later, in 293 A.D., Diocletian appointed two others to assist in the exercise of power, who were called Caesars. The Caesars were co-emperors, helpers, and successors of the Augusti... Now Diocletian made arrangements that he might solidify the bonds of loyalty, thinking that, as a kinsman, Constantius would never raise up a war against the others of the tetrarchy. As further security, Diocletian retained, as a hostage, Constantine, the son of Constantius and Helen. Constantine was just entering puberty. Like Moses of old, Constantine was reared in the palaces of kings; and when his hour came, he was ready to free his people, the Christians, in like manner as Moses freed his people, the Jews. ( Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
(To be continued)
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DIVINE SERVICES SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN
Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
(No Livestream)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George