From the desk of the pastor for June 29, 2025

The Lord be with you. Continuing our overview of the Church’s history, we come to Emperor Constantine. In a single generation the Church gained the backing of the Roman Empire. That development would have far reaching consequences.

By AD 300 the Roman Empire was still an empire but increasingly not centered on Rome. With frontiers thousands of miles long, the empire now had to station entire legions far away from its central states to protect its provinces. Worse for Rome it had run out of places to conquer. Unable to break Iran (the Sasanian Empire), Rome had no more major cities to loot. At the same time the Roman Empire could not effectively collect taxes from its northern provinces. Diocletian divided the empire between two augusti (emperors) and their caesares (designated successors) in what was called the Tetrarchy.

Constantine became emperor in AD 306 of half of the Roman Empire - Britain, Spain, and France - when his father died. Four years later Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Famously Constantine was directed in a dream to have his legions paint the Greek symbol for Christ on their shields - “in this sign you shall conquer.” Fifteen years and another civil war later, Constantine was the sole emperor.

From the beginning of his reign in AD 306, Constantine had tolerated and protected Christians. In AD 313 he and emperor Licinius declared the Edict of Milan that officially tolerated Christian worship and prevented the Church’s property from being confiscated. How well he practiced the Faith during his life is debatable, but he was baptized on his deathbed. Constantine built a number of churches, most famously the original St. Peter’s Basilica and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. One cannot doubt the piety of St. Helen, his mother, who helped to rediscover the True Cross in Jerusalem.

By the time Emperor Constantine died, the Roman Empire was rapidly becoming Christian. Although the Church had converted many before Augustine, now the official channels of power had become Christian. As pagan symbols disappeared and temples became churches, the ethics of Christianity began to dominate and form the citizens of the empire.

As one might expect from official patronage, a great deal of culture became Christian. Books, plays, and public entertainment was increasingly Christian in character. This public support also led to the first Council of Nicaea in AD 325 - 1700 years ago exactly! Confirming the divinity of Christ against the heretic Arian, this council might not have happened without Emperor Constantine’s backing.

We will look at Nicaea and the first councils more closely next time. For now we should note that the Church went through some of its greatest changes in the early fourth century. The western experience of religion can be traced back to this pivotal moment. May we remember though that worldly power never lasts - as Rome would find out soon enough.

In His Sacred Heart,
Fr. John