{"id":527753,"date":"2025-05-22T16:00:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=527753"},"modified":"2025-05-22T16:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:00:15","slug":"saint-constantine-stood-nicaea-council-patriarch-daniel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/saint-constantine-stood-nicaea-council-patriarch-daniel\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriarch Daniel: Saint Constantine stood, not sat on a throne, at Nicaea Council out of reverence for persecuted bishops"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the historic patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the deep respect that Emperor Constantine the Great showed toward bishops persecuted by his predecessors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recalling the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the Patriarch emphasized that Saint Constantine initiated and presided over the ecclesiastical event.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he opened the council, he did not sit on the throne but stood out of respect for the many bishops who had been persecuted. Some had lost an eye, others an arm or a leg, because they were mutilated and beaten during the anti-Christian persecutions,\u201d Patriarch Daniel explained.<\/p>\n

Faith Strengthened by Victory<\/h2>\n

The Romanian Patriarch explained that Constantine’s faith deepened after his victory over Emperor Maxentius.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaint Constantine the Great, seeing that he defeated an army much larger than his own, realized that the help came directly from Jesus Christ. That is why he became a lover of Christ and a supporter of the Christians who were being persecuted,\u201d said His Beatitude.<\/p>\n

The following year, in 313, along with Eastern Emperor Licinius, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting religious freedom to all citizens of the Roman Empire.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis edict of tolerance or freedom for all inhabitants of the Empire meant a great deal. It marked the end of the persecutions against Christians,\u201d explained the Romanian Patriarch.<\/p>\n

A Work of Restoration<\/h2>\n

Beyond ending persecution, Constantine also restored Church property confiscated during earlier persecutions, recalled exiled clergy, and even donated public buildings, called basilicas \u2014 \u201cthe Emperor\u2019s house\u201d \u2014 to be converted into churches.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaint Constantine carried out a restorative work. He paid for or compensated the damages inflicted on Christians by previous emperors, who were persecutors,\u201d Patriarch Daniel noted.<\/p>\n

Christian Ethics in Imperial Law<\/h2>\n

The Emperor also offered material support to the Church for aiding the poor, orphans, and widows and enacted social laws to protect the vulnerable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe strengthened the Christian family and prohibited adultery and the killing of infants or abortion \u2014 practices widespread in the pagan Roman Empire. In 321, he established Sunday as a day of rest throughout the Empire,\u201d added His Beatitude.<\/p>\n

The Patriarch highlighted Constantine\u2019s effort to give a Christian character to Roman law, abolishing torture, crucifixion, limb mutilation, and branding.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did this because all such acts humiliated the image of God in man,\u201d said the Patriarch.<\/p>\n

Saint Helena: Builder and Mother<\/h2>\n

In his sermon, Patriarch Daniel praised Saint Helena, Constantine\u2019s mother, for her spiritual and architectural contributions.<\/p>\n

After discovering the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, she began the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She also built:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • A church on the Mount of Olives, marking Christ\u2019s Ascension;<\/li>\n
  • A church in Gethsemane, where the Virgin Mary\u2019s tomb is believed to be located;<\/li>\n
  • A church in Bethlehem, the site of Christ\u2019s birth;<\/li>\n
  • And one in Nazareth, His childhood home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cShe wanted to show her reverence for the Holy Places,\u201d the Patriarch said.<\/p>\n

    Saint Helena also stands as a model of motherhood and education: \u201cShe raised and inspired her son in the governance of the empire and had great piety,\u201d said Patriarch Daniel.<\/p>\n

    Ties to Romanian History<\/h2>\n

    The Patriarch also emphasized Constantine\u2019s ties to Romanian lands, noting that his birthplace was Naissus, in the Roman province of Dacia Mediterranea \u2014 now Ni\u0161, Serbia \u2014 not far from Dacia Felix.<\/p>\n

    He recalled that Constantine reconquered Romanian territory from the Goths and secured peace with them, provided they no longer persecute Christians.<\/p>\n

    The festive liturgy was celebrated at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral, with ten other Romanian bishops concelebrating. The service concluded with the announcement of winners from two national competitions organized by the Romanian Patriarchate.<\/p>\n