Friday, November 11, 2011

Constantine and Vladimir's Conversions

The only similarity between Constantine and Prince Vladimir's conversions to Christianity is that they both were royalty and in power at the time of their conversion.

Constantine, of the Byzantine empire, represents a milestone in Christian history because of the Edict Of Milan. In the Edict of Milan, he allows Christians to worship freely in him empire without fear of being persecuted. However, in his own Christian life, it is speculated that he only converted to appease his orthodox wife. Some can say that after his conversion, besides the Edict of Milan, he didn't do much to encourage Christianity, or a Christian lifestyle.

Prince Vladimir, on the other hand, was notorious for his party lifestyle, if you will. Prince Vladimir, is like Paul of Tarsus, in the way that he seemed like the last person who would spread Christianity. After converting, with no influence from any of his five wives, Vladimir seemed to do a complete 180 in lifestyle, divorcing (or at least getting rid of) his 5 wives, marrying a Christian Byzantine woman and taking an active part in spreading Christianity in Russia.

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