The conversion of Constantine the Great to Christianity in the light of his own testimony – some comments

Abstract

Among the views of researchers who pronounced their opinion on the issue of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, we have a variety of positions, which range from its total negation and attribution to the emperor mere calculation, sheer hypocrisy and instrumental treatment of religion, through discerning in his attitude a form of religious syncretism, to full recognition of the reality of his conversion. It seems that nowadays the vast majority of historians do not doubt the sincerity of Constantine’s renouncement of paganism, while differences in their opinions primarily concern the moment, when it took place. Many scholars also underscore the importance of the vision Constantine had, which, according to Lactantius and Eusebius of Caesarea, played a crucial role in the conversion of the ruler. The vision itself, however, is still controversial as a historical fact. Some see it as a supernatural phenomenon, while others either explain it as a natural one or completely depreciate its importance. Needless to say that neither party has been able to prove their case so far. On the other hand, it is irrefutable that Constantine himself, in his surviving letters and speeches, tended to put down his victories to the divine assistance of Christ, which, of course, one can interpret as an essential manifestation of his conversion to Christianity. Some scholars maintain that Constantine adopted Christianity after the year 324. It is, however, hard to prove, because over this period he addressed the god he believed in as summus deus, i.e. in the same fashion as in the first half of his reign. For instance, it was exactly the term he used in his correspondence and speeches from the break-through year 313, in which he addressed the Christian God.

Keywords

• Konstantyn Wielki
• konwersja Konstantyna
• wizja Konstantyna