The Impacts of Constantine on the Spread of Christianity
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The Impacts of Constantine on the spread of Christianity
Division, Controversy and Conflict – these had filled Christianity’s history. Constantine was one of the many who have significantly contributed to Christianity’s proliferation. He not only made Christianity legal in the Roman society, but also devoted his life into enforcing and enriching the Christian belief.
The battle of Milvian Bridge near Rome was conquered by Constantine through a religious vision. Marking his soldiers shields with the Chi-Rho (Greek monogram of Christ) – just as what he had seen in his vision that would lead him to triumph –, Constantine victoriously triumphed the battle and attributed the conquest to the Christian God. Constantine passed the Edict of Milan to Licinius, the emperor of the East in conformity to grant religious abidance throughout the Roman Empire a year later (313). Christianity was officially authorized.
The Roman Empire, reigned solely by Constantine, was amalgamated under the Christian influence in 324, and Constantine saw this as an opportunity of change. He replaced Roman Gods and Roman Pagan festivals with Christian holidays (honouring Sundays, Christmas, Easter, etc.), created Churches and defended the Christian clergy. Constantine was however, not baptized until 337 AD, on his deathbed.
Constantine was the first Christian Emperor, and was praised and exulted by Christians everywhere. Because of this, Christianity abruptly became stylish, and to become one was to be ‘smart’. Many became Christians – some disreputable or were unscrupulous. This in turn, resulted in a number of Christians creating monastic groups out of dismay.
After the preposterous conversion, the concept of Monasticism and becoming monks/hermits became popular. They set themselves for solitude, living and praying in moderation and devoting themselves wholly to God. Some were called upon to become Church leaders. They taught through stained glass windows (for those unable to...
Division, Controversy and Conflict – these had filled Christianity’s history. Constantine was one of the many who have significantly contributed to Christianity’s proliferation. He not only made Christianity legal in the Roman society, but also devoted his life into enforcing and enriching the Christian belief.
The battle of Milvian Bridge near Rome was conquered by Constantine through a religious vision. Marking his soldiers shields with the Chi-Rho (Greek monogram of Christ) – just as what he had seen in his vision that would lead him to triumph –, Constantine victoriously triumphed the battle and attributed the conquest to the Christian God. Constantine passed the Edict of Milan to Licinius, the emperor of the East in conformity to grant religious abidance throughout the Roman Empire a year later (313). Christianity was officially authorized.
The Roman Empire, reigned solely by Constantine, was amalgamated under the Christian influence in 324, and Constantine saw this as an opportunity of change. He replaced Roman Gods and Roman Pagan festivals with Christian holidays (honouring Sundays, Christmas, Easter, etc.), created Churches and defended the Christian clergy. Constantine was however, not baptized until 337 AD, on his deathbed.
Constantine was the first Christian Emperor, and was praised and exulted by Christians everywhere. Because of this, Christianity abruptly became stylish, and to become one was to be ‘smart’. Many became Christians – some disreputable or were unscrupulous. This in turn, resulted in a number of Christians creating monastic groups out of dismay.
After the preposterous conversion, the concept of Monasticism and becoming monks/hermits became popular. They set themselves for solitude, living and praying in moderation and devoting themselves wholly to God. Some were called upon to become Church leaders. They taught through stained glass windows (for those unable to...