Order of Constantine

The Angelici were an ancient order of knighthood for priests and laymen, founded in 1191 by Byzantine Emperor Isaac Angelus.

They were divided into three classes, but were all under the direction of one Grand Master. The first were called Torquati, from a collar which they wore, and were fifty in number. The second were called the Knights of Justice, and were ecclesiastics. The third were called Knights Servitors.

Justiniani will have this order to have been instituted in the year 313, by Constantine, and supposes the occasion thereof to have been the appearance of an angel to that emperor, with the sign of a cross and the words, "In hoc signo vinces" ("In this sign you shall conquer"). However, that there was such a thing as a ny military order in those days is merely a fable.

The Angelici were also called the Order of Constantine, the Golden Knights, and Saint George.

Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus^[1] (27 February 272–22 May 337), commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or (among Eastern Christians of Byzantine tradition)^[2] Saint Constantine, was a Roman Emperor, proclaimed Augustus by his troops on July 25, 306 and who ruled an ever-growing portion of the Roman Empire until his death.

Constantine is best remembered in modern times for the Edict of Milan in 313, which bestowed imperial favor on Christianity in the Empire, for the first time. He was not, however, the first to legalize the practice of Christianity in the Empire. Galerius was the first emperor to issue an edict of toleration for all religious creeds including Christianity in April of 311.^[3]

In 324 Constantine announced his decision to transform Byzantium into Nova Roma and in 330 he officially proclaimed the city (thereby known as Constantinople, i.e. The City of Constantine) as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

Constantine is also remembered for the Council of Nicaea in 325; these actions are considered major factors in the spreading of the Christian religion. His reputation as the "first Christian Emperor" has been promulgated by historians from Lactantius and Eusebius of Caesarea to the present day, although there has been debate over the veracity of his faith. This debate stems from his continued support for pagan deities and the fact that he was baptized very close to his death.^[4]