St. Constantine the Great

St. Constantine the Great, born around 272 AD in Naissus, Moesia Superior (now Niš, Serbia), was a pivotal figure in Roman history. He was the son of Flavius Constantius, a Roman army officer, and Helena, a woman of humble origins later canonized as a saint. Constantine's career began under emperors Diocletian and Galerius, and he rose to prominence after his father's death in 306 AD, being proclaimed emperor by his troops in Eboracum (York, England). He eventually became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire by 324 AD. Constantine is renowned for his conversion to Christianity, which led to the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, ending Christian persecution and legalizing Christianity throughout the empire. He also convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, establishing the Nicene Creed. Constantine founded Constantinople, making it the new capital, and his reign saw significant administrative and military reforms. He supported the Church financially and built several basilicas, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Constantine was baptized on his deathbed in 337 AD. His legacy as a champion of Christianity and his role in shaping the Roman Empire's religious and political landscape have endured for centuries, earning him veneration as a saint in Eastern Christianity. However, his canonization date is not specified in historical records.