Day 4 CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

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Constantine the Great (AD 306-337) was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. He sent his mother, Helena, to go throughout Israel and build churches on the important sites of Jesus and the early church. Christianity did not officially become the religion of the Roman Empire until AD 380 under the emperor Theodosius. But for all intents and purposes, it was in vogue to be a Christian in the days of Constantine. Those who sought appointed positions or government positions needed to profess a Christian faith.

Since Rome was the seat of the empire, claims were made that the Bishop of Rome should be the head of the universal (Catholic) church. It was said that Peter ministered in Rome for twenty-five years (although this is not confirmed in the New Testament), and that he was the first bishop of Rome. Claiming “apostolic succession,” the succeeding bishop took on Peter’s authority and called himself the Patriarch of Rome. To note Peter’s significance, a basilica was constructed over his grave during Constantine’s rule. The existing St. Peter’s Basilica was built from 1506 to 1615.

In the sixth century, the name “patriarch” was changed to “pope” (pope is Latin for “papa” or “father.” The pope was named the supreme “Father” of the Church). One early patriarch of Rome, Innocent I, ruled in AD 402 that no important decision could be made by any church without the patriarch of Rome’s approval. The next patriarch of Rome, Zosimus, said that no one had the right to question a decision taken by the Church of Rome. The authority and power of the Roman Catholic Church continued to take root in church history with many decrees and doctrinal changes.

During his reign, Constantine the Great transferred the seat of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium on the Bosphorus, a strait that separates Europe from Asia. He renamed the city Constantinople (today’s Istanbul, Turkey).

Through the years, there were power struggles between the popes of Rome and the patriarchs of Constantinople. Some were theological. One important doctrinal issue concerned the Holy Spirit. The church in Constantinople said that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. The Roman Church rightly taught that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. In 1053, the divide became official. Since that date, the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church have existed independently of each other. 

During the early years of Christianity, many changes occurred. For example, church buildings were constructed, with the oldest known structure built between 293 and 303 in Aqaba, Jordan. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, over the site where it is thought that Jesus was born, was built in 326. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built in 336 in Jerusalem on the site where it is thought that Jesus was crucified and buried. Both buildings were commissioned by Constantine and his mother, Helena. The Hagia Sophia Church in Constantinople (Istanbul), a magnificent structure, was built in 537. Today, it is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.