THE COMMEMORATION OF CONSTANTINE AND HELENA
20 May Anno T Domini 2009 (Observed)
"By This Sign, Conquerâ€
John 15:1-11
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Here's how the ancient church historian, Sozomen, describes the story of Constantine's supernatural introduction to the Christian religion. Sozomen draws upon the written history of his predecessor and most famous of all ancient church historians, Eusebius, who was a contemporary of Constantine, and who heard the story related from Constantine's own mouth. Here's what Sozomen writes:
"We have been informed that Constantine was led to honor the Christian religion through a combination of events, particularly when a sign from heaven appeared.
"When he first decided to go to war against Maxentius, he was plagued with doubts about how he would go about fighting the war and where he could look for help. In the midst of his doubt and worry he received a vision and saw the cross shining in heaven. He was amazed at the sight, but holy angels who were standing by exclaimed, 'Constantine! By this sign, conquer!' And it is said that Christ Himself appeared to him, showed him the symbol of the cross, and commanded him to construct one like it and to use it as his help in battle, and it would ensure his victory.
"Eusebius, surnamed Pamphilus, affirms that he heard the emperor declare with an oath, as the sun was on the point of inclining about the middle of the day, that he and the soldiers who were with him saw in heaven the trophy of the cross composed of light and encircled by the following words: 'By this sign, conquer.' . . .
"While he was reflecting on what this could mean, night came. When he fell asleep, Christ appeared with the sign that he had seen in heaven and commanded him to construct a representation of the symbol and to use it as his help in battle. There was nothing further to be said, for the emperor clearly understood the necessity of serving God.
"At daybreak he called together the priests of Christ and questioned them concerning their doctrines. They opened the Sacred Scriptures and explained the truths relative to Christ and showed him from the prophets how the signs that had been predicted had been fulfilled. The sign that had appeared to him was the symbol, they said, of the victory over hell, for Christ came among men, was stretched upon the cross, died, and returned to life the third day. On this account, they said, there was hope that at the end of the present age there would be a resurrection from the dead.â€
It's an amazing story, isn't it? It's kind of reminiscent of St. Paul's conversion. What is even more amazing is the impact this had on the remainder of Constantine's life. Bearing the sign he was given, he did conquer and was victorious in his war with Maxentius. And, he was instrumental not only in securing peace for Christianity in the Roman Empire, but in helping Christianity rise to a place of prominence in the Empire. So interested was Constantine in the Christian faith that he convened the Council of Nicaea, in which the heresy of Arianism was condemned and the first version of the Nicene Creed produced. The strange thing about the history of Constantine, which leads many to conclude that he may not have fully embraced the Christian faith, is that he was not baptized until he was on his deathbed. But, that probably has more to do with a false understanding of Baptism that was circulating at that time than it does with a lack of faith in Constantine. Whatever the case, Constantine was a true blessing to the Christian Church and died in the faith that bestows eternal life.
And Helena, Constantine's mother, what a blessing she was! It is largely due to her devout faith and fervent desire that we know where many of the Holy Sites are located. Constantine gave his mother unlimited access to the imperial treasury to travel, do the research, and find Holy Sites and relics associated with the Christian faith. Many of the churches which still stand today in the Holy Land were commissioned to be built by Helena over the historic locations of events significant to the Christian faith.
By this sign, conquer! That was the message given to Constantine, and it's the same message given to you, dear friends. For the sign is the cross of Jesus Christ. By that sign, Constantine did indeed conquer, and so have you. For that sign was traced upon your foreheads and hearts when you were marked as one redeemed by Christ the Crucified at your Baptism. Jesus Christ is the Door through which you have entered into forgiveness, life, and salvation. He stretched out His arms wide to invite you into His fold. And, by His cross, you have conquered, for He Himself delivers into you the fruits of His live-giving cross, His very Body and Blood, in the Holy Supper, and unites you to Himself, the One who has conquered sin, death, and the devil forever.
By this sign, conquer! Constantine and Helena, whom we commemorate today, conquered by that sign. And so have you! In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Now the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.