Constantine the Great and the First Ecumenical Synod
By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
(Transcribed Homily. Delivered during Great Vespers of Saints Constantine and Helen, Makynia of Nafpaktia, on May 20, 2025.)
By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
(Transcribed Homily. Delivered during Great Vespers of Saints Constantine and Helen, Makynia of Nafpaktia, on May 20, 2025.)
Tonight, beloved fathers and brethren, Mr. Mayor, Mr. President of the Municipal Council, Mr. Vice-Mayor and members of the Municipal Council, beloved brethren in Christ, we celebrate the memory of the Holy God-crowned Emperors and Equals-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen, and this sacred church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Makynia, here in Nafpaktos, is holding its feast. We celebrate and solemnly honor the memory of these holy God-crowned Emperors and Equals-to-the-Apostles. And indeed, concerning Saint Helen one may say that she was a woman of virtue, because despite the difficulties she faced in her marriage, she was deemed worthy to bear and raise such a child, who became Emperor and Sole Ruler of the then united Roman Empire, both in East and West. I will not say more about Saint Helen, for on another occasion we have spoken about her. What is of great importance is that Saint Constantine the Great proved himself truly to be a great Emperor, not only for that era, but on a universal and timeless scale.
1. The First Ecumenical Synod
One could say that there are very many aspects of the life of Constantine the Great that demonstrate precisely his greatness. I would like, however, to limit my subject to one point which has particular relevance today. And this point is that this year we celebrate — not only here in Greece, but throughout Orthodoxy and indeed throughout Christianity — the 1700th anniversary of the convocation of the First Ecumenical Synod by Constantine the Great in Nicaea of Bithynia in the year 325 A.D.
And here in the Church of Greece, by decision of the Holy Synod in Permanent Session, we shall celebrate this most solemnly, because on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea, which we commemorate before the Sunday of Pentecost, this feast coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the convocation of the Holy Synod. By decision of the Holy Synod in Permanent Session, we shall celebrate most festively on June 1st, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. The Archbishop and the entire Permanent Holy Synod will concelebrate. The President of the Hellenic Republic, the Government, and representatives of the political parties have been invited, as well as other authorities and institutions of our land, in order that this great work accomplished by the First Ecumenical Synod may be presented — the Synod in which Constantine the Great served as president on behalf of the State. And on the following day, June 2nd, the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece will convene in a festive session, during which a timely topic will be developed in honor of this great anniversary of the First Ecumenical Synod. And the next evening, Monday, at the “Pallas” theater, a great celebratory event will take place so that we may reflect upon this great event of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea.
I repeat that this Synod is closely connected with Constantine the Great, whose memory we celebrate today, and indeed it was in May that the First Ecumenical Synod opened. For when he became sole ruler, he saw that turmoil existed within the Church because heretics had arisen, such as Arius and his followers, who claimed that the Son and Word of God was not truly God, but a creature — indeed the first creature of creation — thus reducing Christ to the level of a created being. At that time there arose opposition from Alexander, Archbishop of Alexandria, who condemned Arius. But because this heresy spread throughout the Empire, Constantine the Great resolved that just as he had politically pacified the entire known world of that time, so too he would bring peace to the Church of Christ.
There are many historians who present to us various events from the life and reign of Constantine the Great, among whom is Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, who is regarded as the father of Church History. He lived during the days of Constantine the Great and even participated in the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea. He preserves authentic information concerning who Constantine the Great was, what his distinguishing characteristics were, and what work he accomplished with regard to the First Ecumenical Synod. Therefore, I would ask your permission to read to you three texts — not in the original language in which they were written, but in translation — so that you may see from a contemporary bishop of Constantine the Great how remarkably he described both the virtues possessed by this great leader, this great Emperor, and also how he convened the Holy and Great First Ecumenical Synod and what he said at it.
2. The Entrance of Constantine the Great into the Synod
The First Ecumenical Synod took place in Nicaea of Bithynia because Constantinople had not yet been completed as the capital of the Roman State, since its inauguration took place in 330 A.D. Eusebius of Caesarea therefore writes in his Ecclesiastical History — this historian who was present at those events:
“When the appointed day of the Synod arrived, on which they were to find a solution to their differences, they entered the central building, the great hall of the imperial palace, so that all the bishops could fit there, since it had raised seats on both sides. When the whole Synod had assembled and each one had taken his place, they silently awaited the arrival of the emperor. The officials of the king entered one after another. Others also went before him, not soldiers and spear-bearers, but a small retinue consisting only of those who confessed faith in Christ. At the moment when the emperor’s arrival was announced, all the bishops rose from their seats.”
Let me remind you that present at the First Ecumenical Synod were Saint Athanasios the Great, Saint Nicholas, Saint Spyridon, and many other saints and martyrs who had only recently come out of prison, because they had been imprisoned for confessing Christ. Thus, as we know from other historical testimonies, one was wounded, another had lost an eye, another a leg, another an arm, and indeed it is said that in reality they were “an assembly of martyrs,” because they had borne witness out of love for Christ and had endured tortures. So they all rose to receive the Emperor. And we have another testimony that when Constantine saw the bishops wounded and bearing various scars upon their bodies, he passed beside them and with his imperial cloak touched them in order to receive a blessing from the wounds of those holy martyrs. Eusebius continues:
“And the emperor appeared and passed through their midst like a heavenly Angel of God, wearing his imperial purple robe flashing with gold and radiant precious stones. Such was his bodily appearance. But as for his soul, he was adorned with the fear of God and reverence, and this was shown by his lowered eyes, the blush upon his face, and the measured slowness of his walk — a marvelous presence, very tall and majestic, full of beauty, strength, and grandeur. This outward adornment he united with gentleness, royal meekness, and great intelligence. After he came into the midst, he did not immediately sit upon the small golden throne that had been set for him, as was customary, but signaled first for the bishops to sit down, and thus they all sat together.”
Here you see the gifts this man possessed — bodily gifts, but also gifts of soul and spirit. Although he had not yet been baptized as a Christian, he loved Christianity and loved and revered Christ. And you see not only outward gifts, but also remarkable inner gifts of soul, together with gentleness, royal meekness, and great wisdom.
3. The Address of Constantine the Great to the Synod
Then Eusebius of Caesarea says that after Constantine the Great gave the order for everyone to sit down and he himself also sat, silence prevailed. And he continues:
“After a brief address by the bishop seated at the emperor’s right hand (this was the historian Eusebius himself) and after a hymn of thanksgiving to Almighty God had been chanted (that is, they sang some thanksgiving hymn), he too sat down in his place. When complete silence had fallen, all had their eyes fixed upon the Emperor. Constantine then, after casting his calm and peaceful gaze around the hall, recollected himself and in a gentle voice began to address to them the following exhortatory words.”
Again here we see the gifts of a great leader. Complete silence prevailed; with his eyes he looked upon all those present with a calm and peaceful gaze, then recollected himself and began to speak. And here Eusebius of Caesarea records the speech — what today we would call the address — which he delivered to the 318 God-bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Synod, speaking to them about peace. He said to them:
“It was my great desire, my friends, to be able to enjoy meeting with you, and now that this has been accomplished, I owe thanks to God, the King of all, because together with all His other blessings, He has granted me also this gift, this blessing, which I consider to be the greatest of all.”
He had succeeded in ruling over the whole Roman Empire; he was sole ruler of the State. He bears no comparison with the kings and presidents of today. And he regarded this as a great blessing, but an even greater blessing he considered the fact that he had met these God-bearing Fathers. And he continues in his address:
“I mean seeing you all gathered here together in harmony and of one mind. May no malicious enemy snatch this good from us now that we have crushed the God-fighting tyranny of the tyrants by the power of the Savior, nor may the evil-loving demon surround the divine law with blasphemies in another way. For I consider civil strife within the Church of God to be a battle more difficult and more terrible than any other war, and indeed this proves more grievous than external conflicts.”
“As soon as I conquered my enemies with the help of God, I believed that nothing else would now be more necessary than to thank God and rejoice together with those whom I had liberated. But when, contrary to expectation, I was informed of your division, I did not wish to hear any further report, but believed that this matter should in no way be overlooked. Therefore, desiring to assist with my service, I summoned you without delay. And although I rejoice in seeing your assembly, I shall feel that my desire has been fulfilled only when I see the minds of all united in that peaceful harmony which you, as priests of God, ought to preach to others. Therefore do not delay, my friends, do not delay, good servants of the Master and God, but remove all the causes of division among yourselves and untie all the knots of controversy by the laws of peace. Thus you will accomplish the work that is above all pleasing to God, and you will also give very great joy to me, your fellow servant.”
Constantine the Great speaks here about peace. He calls the bishops his friends; he also calls them good servants of the Master God, and he calls himself their fellow servant, even before he was baptized, before he became a member of the Church of Christ. And after he delivered this address, this speech, he sat upon his seat and the discussion among the Fathers began. On the one side were Arius and those of like mind with him, the heretics, and on the other side were the great Fathers of the Church, and the dialogue between them began. Of course, on behalf of the Fathers there were presidents at the Synod, Eustathios of Antioch and Alexander, but Constantine himself also exercised a high supervision over the proceedings.
4. The Participation of Constantine in the Sessions
Then the historian Eusebius writes:
“After Constantine had said these things in the Latin language, and someone else translated them (because it was still the Roman State and the official language was Latin, and he was obliged — although he knew the Greek language from his mother, who was Greek — nevertheless he spoke in Latin and another translated them), he gave the floor to the presidents of the Synod. Then some began accusing others, while those in turn defended themselves and brought accusations in return. After many proposals had been made by both sides, and while at first there was great contention, the Emperor listened to them all with forbearance.”
We have here a Synod, just as councils are held, just as assemblies are held in Parliament and elsewhere, and he exercised the supreme presidency. He listened to everyone with patience. Eusebius writes:
“He received the proposals with warm interest, at times agreeing with what was said by both sides; with calmness he tried to reconcile the two contending parties, and with gentleness he spoke to each one. Speaking in the Greek language, which he knew very well, he was gracious and pleasant in speech. Some he persuaded, others he entreated with his words, praising those who spoke rightly, and leading all toward concord, until at last he brought them all to one mind and to the same dogma concerning all those matters over which they had formerly disagreed.”
Thus we have the decision of the First Ecumenical Synod, which composed the first seven articles of the Symbol of Faith under the supreme presidency of Constantine the Great, with all those gifts which he possessed — bodily, spiritual, intellectual, wisdom, nobility, and meekness. Let us not forget that the Emperors in those days also led the army and therefore participated in wars, and yet Constantine the Great possessed all these gifts, this great Emperor and Saint of our Church. I have read to you what Eusebius of Caesarea writes. I could have told it to you in my own words, but I wanted precisely for this passage from his Ecclesiastical History to be heard, where all the gifts of Constantine the Great are revealed.
My beloved, I would not wish now to make comparisons with the rulers of today, who move in a different spirit and who, instead of leading and guiding the people with gentleness, dignity, wisdom, goodness, and strength, are themselves led by the people and shape their behavior according to public opinion. After opinion polls are conducted and they see where matters are heading, only then do they speak so as afterward to gain support in elections. Yet they cannot approach the gifts of Constantine the Great. And you see them behaving only with economic interests in mind, as though they were rulers of the whole world and making decisions solely according to utilitarianism and, I would say, economic gain. And when one compares today’s rulers with Constantine the Great, one sees the difference.
May we have the intercessions of Constantine the Great and of his great mother, Saint Helen, before God, so that today both rulers and those who are ruled may benefit from his example. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
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