We honour the Equals of the Apostles, Saints Constantine and Helena

published on 5/21/24 6:50 AM

Photo: BGNES

Today the Orthodox Church worships Saints Constantine and Helena, who are venerated as the Equal of the Apostles because, like the Apostles, they dedicated themselves to spreading the teachings of Christ.

Saint Constantine was the founder of the Byzantine Empire and its first emperor in the 4th century. He made the Christian religion official in Byzantium.

His mother Helena discovered the cross on which the Saviour was crucified and built several monasteries in the Holy Land. The discovery of the Holy Cross is considered the most important event in the history of the Christian Church, and Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena were canonized as saints.

According to their biographies, St Constantine had not yet received Holy Baptism when he began to care for the welfare of the Church, which adds to the brilliance of his merit, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said.

In Bulgaria, the day of Sts. Constantine and Helena is associated with Nestinari dances on embers, which combine Christian and pagan traditions in one celebration.

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We honour the Equals of the Apostles, Saints Constantine and Helena

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