Constantine; A Christian Hero
Christianity's history is filled with division, controversy, and conflict. One of the most important people who contributed to the lasting success of this diverse religion was Constantine. While legalizing Christianity in Roman society, he founded the capital of the eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople. Because of this and other great accomplishments, Constantine appropriately earned the name Constantine the Great. After his father's death in 306, the Gaul army hailed Constantine as their ruler. After five years as the emperor of Gaul, Constantine invaded Italy. After defeating the Roman army, Constantine entered Rome as the ruler of the western half of the empire. In 313, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting freedom of worship to all persons in the western Roman Empire. The edict also guaranteed legal rights to Christians and the return of property taken from Christians in the past.
While condemning Arius and his teachings, the council declared the complete equality of God the Father and the Son. The teaching that Father and Son were made up "of one substance" became part of the Nicene Creed, the statement that helped to unite Christianity. He chose the Greek city of Byzantium. I have much respect for Constantine because of his endless faith in the unity of Christianity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. Next, Constantine moved the capital from Rome to the east. The Edict of Milan shows that Constantine had respect for other religions and allowed them, but preferred Christianity. Constantine organized this council, and I believe that even though it didn't unify Christianity it was a prime example of Constantine's power and strength. No matter how many diverse schisms there were, he was constantly determined to keep the religion united and strong. Furthermore, he wasn't a 'true' Christian until his deathbed when he was finally baptized, and I think that this shows his tremendous commitment and belief in the religion. The council addressed other issues as well, including the method for consecrating bishops. Regardless of the different schisms in the religion, Constantine was determined to make Christianity unified. Arius, a priest in Alexandria, Egypt, insisted that Christ was not equal to the Father, because he was created by him. In 325, as a mediator, Constantine called together a council of bishops at Nicaea in Asia Minor. Constantine's continuous support for Christianity is one of the reasons that it is still a major religion today.
Common topics in this essay:
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Nicene Creed,
Roman Empire,
Constantine Constantinople,
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Gaul Constantine,
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Milan Constantine,
,
Alexandria Egypt,
roman empire,
unity christianity,
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