Stories

Story of a Great Imperator and His Birth Town

27. Sep 2021.

U periodu kada počinje priča o Konstantinu Velikom, antički Naissus (današnji Niš) bio je centralno mesto rimske pokrajine Gornja Mezija. Nevelik po broju stanovnika (20000), ali značajan kao trgovački, vojni i administrativni centar, Naissus se brzo razvijao i širio van zidina Tvrđave. Već početkom III veka n.e, on postaje municipijum i stiče pravo samouprave. Centralno gradsko jezgro, koje se nalazilo na području današnje Tvrđave, bilo je izgrađeno prema pravilima rimskog urbanizma. Centralni deo činio je raskošni trg (forum) ukrašen statuama rimskih božanstava, oko kojeg su se nalazile upravne zgrade, vojni objekti, radionice i bazilika. Ostaci pojedinih objekata iz tog perioda mogu se i danas videti u Niškoj tvrđavi (Lapidarijum, antičke terme, objekat sa svodovima, antička ulica i palata sa oktogonom). Jedan od najvećih državnika u istoriji Evrope, Konstantin Veliki rođen je polovinom III veka u Naisusu. Konstantinov otac, Konstancije Hlor, bio je rimski oficir visokog ranga, rodom iz Dakije (današnja istočna Srbija), a njegova majka Jelena bila je gostioničareva kći poreklom iz Bitinije u Maloj Aziji. Susret Konstancija i Jelene dogodio se u gostionici Jeleninog oca tokom Konstancijevih vojnih pohoda u Maloj Aziji. Ljubav koja se rodila među njima prevazišla je barijere vezane za razlike u staležu, tako da je Konstacije oženio Jelenu i došao sa njom u Naissus. Iz te ljubavi rodio se njihov sin Flavius Valerius Constantinus. Konstantin je rano detinjstvo proveo u svom rodnom gradu, Naissusu. Otac mu je obezbedio obrazovanje i vojnu obuku dostojnu budućeg cara, a majka Jelena, pobožna i dostojanstvena žena, prenela mu je ljubav prema novoj veri – hrišćanstvu. Zahvaljujući tome, postao je mudar ratnik i vladar koji je nepogrešivom intuicijom sledio vlastiti put uspeha. Konstantin Veliki će ostati upamćen kao državnik, vojskovođa i vizionar koji je tokom svoje vladavine (306-337) ostavio neizbrisiv trag u istoriji Evrope i hrišćanstva. Bio je vizionar koji je osnivanjem Carigrada udario temelje budućem Vizantijskom carstvu. Čovek otvorenog duha i snažne vere, koji je progonjenim hrišćanima dao je slobodu veroispovesti i tako doprineo da hrišćanstvo postane jedna od najrasprostranjenijih religija savremenog sveta. Iako je nakon detinjstva napustio svoj rodni grad, Konstantin ga nije zaboravio. Kada je postao car bogato ga je ukrasio, a u njegovom predgrađu sagradio raskošnu rezidenciju - Medijanu. Kao prvi hrišćanski car, veliki dobrotvor i ktitor hrišćanske crkve, Konstantin je nakon smrti kanonizovan, a u pravoslavnim crkvama poštuje se kao svetac i “ravnoapostolni car”. Srpska pravoslavna crkva i Grad Niš svake godine 3. juna proslavljaju praznik posvećen Konstantinu i njegovoj majci Jeleni.

At the time when the story of Constantine the Great begins, ancient Naisus (present-day Niš) was a central place of the Roman province of Upper Moesia. Small according to the number of inhabitants (20.000) but important as a commercial, military and administrative center, Naisus developed fast and expanded beyond the walls of the Fortress. So, already in the 3rd century BC, it became a municipium and was given the right of self-governance. The city center, which was located in the area of the present-day Fortress, was built in accordance with the principles of Roman urbanism. A central part was a sumptuous square (forum), decorated with statues of Roman gods and surrounded with administration and military buildings, workshops and a basilica. The remains of some buildings from this period can be still seen today in Niš Fortress (a lapidarium, termae, a building with arches, an ancient street and a Palace with an Octagon).

One of the greatest statesmen in European history, Constantine the Great was born on February 27, 274 in Naisus. Constantine’s father, Constantius Chlorus was a Roman officer of high rank, born in Dacia (today East Serbia), and his mother, Helena was a daughter of an innkeeper from Bithynia in Asia Minor. They met in the inn of Helena’s father during Constantius’ military campaign in Asia Minor. The love between them overcame class barriers, so Constantius married Helena and came with her in Naisus. Out of that love, their son Flavius Valerius Constantinus was born.

Constantine spent his early childhood in his birth town. His father provided education and military training worthy of a future emperor, and mother Helena, a pious and dignified woman, instilled love for a new religion – Christianity – into him. Owning to that, he became a wise warrior and ruler who followed his own path of success with unmistakable intuition.

Constantine the Great will be remembered as a statesman, military leader and visionary who, during his reign (306-337) left an indelible mark in the history of Europe and Christianity. He was a reformer who made significant changes in the military and the administration thus making the Roman Empire stronger. Also, he was a visionary who laid the foundation of the future Byzantine Empire by founding Constantinople. As the man of an open spirit and strong faith, he gave freedom of belief to prosecuted Christians, and made a contribution so that Christianity would become one of the most widely spread religions of the contemporary world.

Although he left his hometown after his childhood, Constantine never forgot it. When he became an emperor, he decorated it richly, and he built a sumptious residence in its suburb – Mediana.

As the first Christian emperor, great benefactor and ktetor of the Christian Church, Constantine was canonized after his death, and the Orthodox Churches venerate him as a saint and the “isapostolos Emperor” (Emperor Equal of the Apostles). Each year on June 3, the Serbian Orthodox Church and the City of Niš celebrate a holyday dedicated to Constantine and his mother Helena.