Constantine Jubilee

Constantine’s Jubilee

Towards the jubilee of one of the most important events in the history of civilization – 1700 years since the publishing of the Edict of Milan of Holy Emperor Constantine the Great - editorial staff of the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church launched at the end of 2012 a new section on the official website of our Holy Church entitled Constantine’s Jubilee.

In forthcoming days, one of the aims of this column is to represent all significant events which have happened on the eve of this important anniversary in dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church in both Homeland and abroad.

As you can already see in this column Constantine’s jubilee, a series of conferences and scientific meetings have been held, many books and multimedia projects have been published, and many concerts and exhibitions already took place with the aim to bring closer to the public the personality of Constantine the Great.

Naturally, the Diocese of Niš with its seat in the birthplace of Emperor Constantine carries most of the activities with many accompanying projects.

Considering the significance and the impact of the Edict of Milan on the all-encompassing church, state and social life since the age of Constantine until our time, the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Republic of Serbia, through the Organizing committee presided by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, and Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, the President of the Republic of Serbia, participate in the celebration of 1700^th anniversary on the highest level.

Zagreb: Towards the great jubilee

The Metropolitanate of Zagreb-Ljubljana organized on 4 October 2012 the formal celebration of the 1700^th anniversary of the Edict of Milan.

The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop and enlightener, at the Serbian Orthodox Grammar School and the Spiritual Centre on Sveti Duh in Zagreb. His Grace Bishop Ignjatije of Branicevo celebrated the Holy Liturgy, who is in three-day visit to the Metropolitanate of Zagreb-Ljubljana. The Bishop was concelebrated by host His Eminence Metropolitan Jovan of Zagreb-Ljubljana and Their Graces Bishops Lukijan of Osek-Polje and Sava of Slavonia and local priests.

Towards the Celebration of the Edict of Milan in Niš

His Grace, Bishop Jovan of Niš, the Constantine’s city, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the church of Holy Sts. Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles, on Sunday, 2 December 2012. The Divine Liturgy was concluded with thanksgiving of Bishop Jovan of Niš, to those credited for the realization of this great and very significant project of the Diocese of Nis and the Biblical society of Serbia. Towards the Jubilee celebration in Niš in 2013, the Diocese of Niš launched a missionary project “The Word of God to the Constantine’s City”. On this occasion more than 900 copies of the Holy Scripture were distributed to the present faithful.

Music Edict at Kolarac

With the blessing of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, towards the anniversary of the Edict of Milan, last night at the Kolarac People's University a concert was held within the international festival of spiritual music - the Music Edict. Promoters of the festival are Church-singing society Branko and cathedral choir of the Cathedral church in Nis.

New 2013 Illustrated Wall Calendar with regard to 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan

With the blessing of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, the Publishing Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church printed the 2013 great wall calendar entitled Emperor Constantine the Great in visual memory of the Serbs

Edict of Milan - act on religious tolerance - establishing that "Christians, as well as all others, without exception, are granted full authority and freedom to observe that religion which each preferred." With its proclamation in 313, motivated by the vision and the victory he scored over Maxentius by the Milvian Bridge in Rome under the Standard of the Cross, Emperor Constantine led Christ's disciples out of the catacombs, ending the persecutions, draconic punishments and sufferings to which they had been subjected.

Session of Organizing Committee for marking 1700th Anniversary of the Edict of Milan

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, along with Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, the President of Serbia, presided over the session of the Organizing Committee for marking th 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. Members of the Holy Synod of Bishops Their Graces Bishops Vasilije of Srem, Irinej of Backa, Jovan of Sumadija and Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, as well as His Grace Bishop Jovan of Nis participated in the session of the Committee. 

RTS: Marking the Jubilee: Both the Celebration and the Duty 

The Organizing Committee for marking 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, which was presided by President Tomislav Nikolic and Patriarch Irinej, decided that the celebration begin on 17 January 2013 with the concert of the Sretenje Monastery choir. The forthcoming festivities were both the celebration and the duty, President Nikolic said.