Orthodox Christians, who follow the ancient church calendar, today celebrate Saints Constantine and Helen, considered the first great supporters of Christianity in the history of the Roman Empire. It is a day with deep religious significance, but also with many folk traditions and beliefs preserved in Moldovan communities, IPN reports.
According to church tradition, Emperor Constantine is credited with ending the persecution of Christians, and his mother Helena is known for discovering the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The historical events that gave them their names are closely linked to the symbolic power of the cross, which during Constantine’s reign became a protective symbol of the Roman army.
The celebration is marked both in churches and in communities. Many localities celebrate today their patron saint, while in villages some traditional customs are kept. In folk belief, the day is also called Constantin graur” or “Constantinul puilor” (Constantine of the chicks), being associated with the moment when forest birds teach their young to fly. It is believed that working in the fields on this day attracts damage from birds, which is why farmers avoid agricultural activities.
Historians mention that the Edict of Milan, signed in 313 by Constantine the Great, was the first official act that granted full freedom to the Christian religion. Additionally, due to the influence of his mother, Empress Helena, important churches were built in holy places in Jerusalem, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
On this day, all those who bear the names Constantin, Elena and their derivatives are congratulated. At the same time, the celebration is also a moment of reflection on the faith and the role that these two saints had in the history of Christianity.
