Constantine the Great never canonized?

[3Sanctus]

I was taught the same things about Constantine being a pagan until death in my public school history classes, where it was said he was only baptized before death for “appearances” - sometimes this was only implied, but I seem to remember it at least once being stated right-out. There’s America’s Freemason-linked history at work for us…

Veritas.
Stephen

 

[malphono]

He was not a pagan, which would imply he kept worshipping the idols of the Greek Pantheon. He was a catechumen and since he was baptized on his deathbed there can be hardly any doubt he is in heaven. In any case, his commemoration can be found in the Byzantine Rite Liturgical books published by Rome.

He was not a pagan in belief right up until his life. It was common practice in those days to receive baptism near your death or later in life. He performed many great acts of devotion to Our Lord and proved to be a model Emperor.

This is pretty much the way I understand it as well.

It seems to me that the hour of his baptism is somewhat beside the point. The fact is that he was baptized. And I daresay the fact that he is commemorated on the Eastern and Oriental calendars jointly with his mother (Ss Constantine and Helen) says that the Church (including Rome) agrees.

 

[Genesis315]

Venerables can be publicly venerated–it is a declaration of heroic virtue. Beatification is actually an indult for local Churches to treat the person as a saint, include them in the liturgy, etc. Canonization is the solemn and prescriptive declaration that the person is indeed in Heaven.

When the procedure for beatification was modified by Pope Benedict to better signify the local aspect, the differences between the classes was explained well here:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20050929_saraiva-martins-beatif_en.html

 

[mystified]

It would appear that by his works, Constantine would fall under the description that is not oftern heard these days, Baptism of Desire".
Also, there are a lot of recognized saints who have not been formally canonized:
The BV Mary, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul…

 

[Catherine_Grant]

**Moderator Note:

** A comment on Orthodoxy’s view of baptism by a heretic was sufficiently off-topic to create a new thread from it. Please see here for that discussion.

Thank you.