Orthodox Christians who follow the old church calendar today celebrate Saints Constantine and Helena, considered the first great supporters of Christianity in the Roman Empire. The holiday has a special significance both in religious life and in popular traditions preserved in the Republic of Moldova, reports IPN.
According to Christian tradition, Emperor Constantine the Great played a decisive role in the recognition and spread of Christianity, and his mother, Helena, is known for the discovery of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Their names are linked to events that marked the history of Christianity and the transformation of the cross into a symbol of faith.
The holiday is marked by religious services and patron saints in many localities. At the same time, in the rural area, several popular beliefs have been preserved. In popular tradition, the day is also known as “Constantin the Starling” or “Constantin the Chicks”, being associated with the period when birds teach their chicks to fly. For this reason, in some areas agricultural work is avoided.
Historians note that the Edict of Milan, promulgated in 313 by Constantine the Great, guaranteed religious freedom for Christians. Empress Helena also contributed to the construction of important places of worship in the holy places of Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Many Moldovans celebrate their name day today: the name Constantin is worn by over 27,800 men. Other common forms are Costel, worn by 140 people, and Costica, recorded in four men. At the same time, the name Elena is worn by about 97,400 women, and other derivatives, such as Ileana and Lena, are worn by 65 and 71 people, respectively.
