The Vision of the Cross

We have been told that Constantine was led to honor the Christian religion by several different events coming together, and above all by the appearance of a sign from heaven. When he first resolved to go to war against Maxentius, he was full of doubts about how to carry on the campaign and where he could look for help. In the midst of his uncertainty he saw in a vision the sign of the cross shining in the sky. He was astonished at the sight, but some holy angels standing by cried out, “Constantine, by this sign, conquer!” It is said that Christ himself appeared to him, showed him the sign of the cross, and commanded him to make one like it and keep it as his help in battle, since it would make victory sure. [a]

Eusebius, called Pamphilus, states that he heard the emperor declare on oath that, just as the sun was beginning to turn past midday, he and the soldiers with him saw in the sky the victory sign of the cross, made of light, with these words around it: “By this sign, conquer.” [b] This vision came to him on the march, when he was uncertain where to lead his army. While he was thinking over what it could mean, night came on. When he fell asleep, Christ appeared to him with the sign he had seen in the sky, and commanded him to make a copy of the sign and to use it as his help in his battles with the enemy. Nothing more needed to be explained, for the emperor clearly understood that he must serve God.

At daybreak he called together the priests of Christ and questioned them about their teaching. They opened the sacred Scriptures, explained the truths about Christ, and showed him from the prophets how the signs that had been foretold had been fulfilled. The sign that had appeared to him, they said, was the symbol of the victory over hell. For Christ came among men, was stretched on the cross, died, and came back to life on the third day. Because of this, they said, there was hope that at the close of the present order of things there would be a general resurrection of the dead and an entrance into immortality, when those who had lived good lives would receive their due and those who had done evil would be punished. Yet, they went on, the means of salvation and of cleansing from sin have been provided. For the uninitiated, there is initiation according to the canons of the church; for the initiated, there is keeping away from sin from then on. But since few, even among holy men, are able to meet this second condition, another way of cleansing is set forth, namely repentance. For God, in his love for mankind, grants forgiveness to those who have fallen into sin when they repent and confirm their repentance by good works. [c]