On this day, May 21 according to the Julian Calendar (June 3 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great (+337) and his mother Empress Helen (+327).
Emperor Constantine received from the Church the title Equal-to-the-Apostles, and in world history he is known as Constantine the Great. At that time the Roman Empire was divided into western and eastern parts, each ruled by independent emperors with co-rulers. Constantine’s father was one such co-ruler in the western empire. His mother, Saint Helen, was a Christian, and the future emperor was raised with reverence for the Christian faith. When his father died, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by the troops in 306 AD.
Through a series of wars and political struggles, Constantine eventually became sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire. Before the decisive battle against his rival Maxentius in 312, Constantine saw a vision: a shining cross in the sky bearing the words “By this sign, conquer.” He ordered the cross placed on the banners and shields of his army and won a complete victory. After this, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313, granting Christians full religious freedom throughout the empire.
Constantine called and presided over the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325, which condemned the Arian heresy and defined the Orthodox faith concerning the Holy Trinity.
Empress Helen, his mother, traveled to Jerusalem in her old age and undertook the search for the True Cross. Through her efforts, the Holy Cross on which Christ was crucified was discovered and venerated. She built many churches in the Holy Land, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Constantine reposed in 337 and Empress Helen in 327.
May the intercessions of the Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Helen be with us all.