May 21 — Commemoration of the Holy, Glorious, God-crowned Great Sovereigns and Equals-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen

Today the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the holy and divinely-appointed Emperor Constantine and his mother, the holy Empress Helen, those blessed rulers through whom God brought great peace and triumph to His Church after centuries of persecution and suffering.

Saint Constantine was raised in the fear of God by his father Constantius, who showed mercy and kindness toward Christians during a time when the Roman Empire was drenched in the blood of martyrs. From his youth, Constantine learned reverence for Christ, and by the providence of God he would become the first Christian emperor, an instrument chosen to defend and strengthen the Church throughout the world.

Before his great battle against the tyrant Maxentius, Constantine prayed for divine help. Then the Lord revealed to him the victorious sign of the Cross, shining in the heavens with the words: “By this conquer.” Strengthened by this heavenly vision, he placed the sacred sign upon the standards of his army and went forth in faith. Through the power of the Cross, the enemies of truth were defeated, tyranny was overthrown, and the Christians of Rome were delivered from oppression.

The life of Saint Constantine reminds us that the Cross is not merely a symbol, but the very power and victory of God. What once appeared to the world as an instrument of shame became the banner of triumph, salvation, and eternal life.

Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Saint Constantine later convened the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, where the holy Fathers boldly proclaimed the Orthodox Faith and condemned the blasphemy of Arius. There, the Church confessed with one voice that the Son is consubstantial with the Father, true God of true God.

His holy mother, Saint Helen, journeyed to Jerusalem with deep piety and zeal, seeking the precious and life-giving Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified in the flesh. Through her efforts, the Precious Cross was discovered and exalted for the veneration of the faithful, becoming a source of strength and consolation for Christians throughout the ages.

Saints Constantine and Helen stand in history not merely as rulers of an earthly empire, but as servants of Christ who used their authority to glorify God, defend the Church, honor the martyrs, and proclaim the victory of the Cross to the nations.

May these holy Equals-to-the-Apostles intercede for all Orthodox Christians throughout the world, that we may remain steadfast in the true Faith, courageously bear our own crosses, and faithfully follow Christ in humility, repentance, and love.
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Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen, pray unto God for us!