Born Flavius Valerius Conatantinus. Year of birth uncertain; as early as 274 or as late as 288 in Naissus, Servia: modern-day Nisch, Serbia. His father, Constantius; a Roman officer who later became Emperor, his mother Helena (later known as St. Helena).
Constantine I, after his conversion, was one of the most influential persons in early Christianity. He ascended to the Imperial Throne in 306 A.D. and passed away in 337.
He ended all gladiator combat judging it "too cruel".
Constantine never "forced" anyone to become a Christian as some have falsely alleged. He said whatever religion one had he was free to practice as long as animal sacrifices were not included.
Here are some of his EDICTS recorded by the Church historian Eusebius stating these very things.
In 325, he sat on the Council that ratified the NICENE CREED which protected the Church against Gnosticism.
Between 325-327 he contributed sizable amounts of money to the Church and had specific legislation passed that favored the Churches. We should remember that prior to and for hundreds of years afterward, the Assemblies were actually "One": that is, there were no "denominations or "separate sects" at all. Previous persecutions had kept it so that one was either in the Church or out.
Go HERE for more information on this very important aspect of early Christianity which gave the Faith great stability and strength.
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