The Holy and Glorious Constantine and Helena. Equal of the Apostles

In the year 313, Constantine and Licinius signed the edict of Milan by which they gave freedom of worship to the Christians and ended the era of persecutions. Very soon, Licinius broke his promise and renewed the persecution of Christians in the East. Constantine declared war against him and defeated him in 324. This he became sole Emperor of East and West. Constantine transferred his Capital from Rome to Byzantium and gave it his own name “Constantinople.” In the year 325, Constantine called the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea which promulgated the Nicean Creed we recite in the Divine Liturgy. He died on May 22, 337. Helena was the Mother of Constantine. She found the Holy Cross of Christ in Jerusalem where she built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. She died and was buried in Rome.