Podcast Summary: The Lord of Spirits – “Saint Constantine the Great” (March 10, 2023)

Hosts: Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick & Fr. Stephen De Young
Podcast Theme: Exploring the seen and unseen world as understood in Orthodox Christian Tradition

Overview

This episode delves into the nature and spiritual origins of kingship, particularly as manifest in the Orthodox Christian tradition. Using the historical figure of Saint Constantine the Great as a focal point, the hosts explore the biblical and theological roots of Christian monarchy, the “sacrament” of coronation, and how authority—both sacred and secular—should be understood in both past and contemporary contexts. The episode includes myth-busting about Constantine, examines his impact on church and civic life, and reflects on the relevance of Christian kingship today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biblical Foundations of Kingship (09:00–54:00)

• Kingship Originates With God:
  Kingship is shown in Genesis and the Torah as an extension of God’s own kingship, not merely human government:
  • God’s Sabbath rest (Genesis 2) is the enthronement of the divine king (09:22).
  • Covenants in Torah mirror ancient “suzerainty treaties”: God as the great King, Israel as His vassal (11:11–16:31).
• Distinction from Pagan Models:
  Israelite kingship is not divinized, unlike neighboring cultures:
  • “The king is not another class of being…it’s not like the Sumerian kings list where the kingship comes down from heaven.”
    – Fr. Stephen De Young (28:12)
  • Kings are “eldest among brothers,” responsible for justice, not exploiters or demi-gods.
• Role & Responsibilities of the Ruler:
  Deuteronomy stipulates that the king must:
  • Be an Israelite
  • Not amass weapons, wealth, or wives
  • Write and read the Torah under priestly supervision, remaining humble (22:06–27:33)
• Iconic Role:
  Kingship as “icon” (image) of God’s rule—responsible for justice (mishpat) and functioning as an intermediary serving both God and people (34:46–36:25; 38:08–41:53).

“The king and his court functioning as an icon... is a deliberate and drastic departure from the pagan nations where kings were not icons of the gods, but actual idols—the embodiment of the gods.”
— Fr. Stephen De Young (38:08)

2. Transition from Old Testament Kingship to Christian Empire (59:09–1:36:28)

• Roman Aversion to Kings & Rise of the Emperor:
  Early Rome detested kings (“tyrants”) and built checks & balances; Augustus sidestepped this by taking the title “Imperator” (military victor) instead of “Rex” (king) (61:23–67:01).
• Constantine the Great – Myth Busting and His Christian Reign:
  • His Conversion:
    Constantine’s conversion was real, evidenced not by emotion, but by his radical changes as emperor: halting pagan rites, exempting clergy for prayer, closing gladiatorial games, respecting Christian worship, outlawing crucifixion and facial branding (92:56–101:23).
  • Notable Quote:

    “He [Constantine] stopped branding criminals on the face because it defaced the image of Christ in man.”
    — Fr. Stephen De Young (99:09–100:34)

  • Nicaea Myths Debunked:
    The Council of Nicaea did not decide the biblical canon, invent the deity of Christ, burn Arians, move worship to Sundays, or create the Roman Catholic Church (103:06–112:01).
    • “...intelligent people regurgitate this stuff [Nicaea myths] that has no basis in history.”
      — Fr. Stephen De Young (71:44)
• Role at Councils:
  Constantine presided not as “secular meddler” but to maintain Christian unity for the empire (121:16–122:44).

3. Christian Coronation: The “Sacrament” of Making Kings (1:37:57–1:55:56)

Detailed Outline of the Byzantine Coronation Rite (Late 14th Century, Manuel II Palaiologos):

• Physical Memento Mori:
  Stone masons present marble to remind the emperor he is mortal (142:02).
• Prayers & Liturgical Chants:
  The patriarch prays for a just reign and chants "Holy, Holy, Holy," linking kingship with the divine council (142:39).
• Anointing & Crowning:
  • Emperor is anointed with chrism in the sign of the cross and crowned by the patriarch.
  • Empress is crowned by her husband, not the patriarch (143:53–145:08).
• Receiving the Eucharist:
  • Emperor enters the sanctuary, is vested, and senses at the altar during the Great Entrance.
  • Receives Holy Communion from the patriarch, with the empress also communed within the sanctuary (166:09–169:48).

Key Insights:

• The coronation rite features ordination-like elements—prayer, anointing, vesting.
• Receiving communion this way underscores the ruler functions as a minister with a spiritual office—not a mere civil official.
• This “ordering” reflects God’s kingdom even if the officeholder is flawed.

4. Political Theology in the New Testament and Today (1:46:00–end)

• St. Paul’s Political Teaching:
  All governing authority derives from God (“there is no authority except from God”), and rulers are “God’s servants” even if pagan (Romans 13:1–7, 147:24).
• Christian Life in Non-Monarchical Systems:
  While Christian monarchy is rare today, the principles persist:
  • Christians are called to honor governmental offices as icons, not for personal virtue but due to divine responsibility (149:46).
  • Notable Quote:

    “If you go back to Aristotle’s Politics, politics is just the ethics of life and community together.”
    — Fr. Stephen De Young (190:54)

• Modern Implications:
  • Monarchist nostalgia is not practical, and the reality of monarchy was usually harsh for ordinary people.
  • The Orthodox tradition lacks developed social ethics for democracy—issues like voting, individual responsibility, and communal ethics are unresolved (173:19–178:12).
  • Christian engagement with politics now requires applying kingship ethics—pursuing justice, respecting office, exhorting toward righteousness.
• Communal Life as the Arena of Christian "Politics":
  • The hosts urge listeners to build genuine Christian communities marked by order, justice, and mutual honor, even outside old political forms (193:21–195:34).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Kingship as Image, Not Idolatry (38:08):
  “David is an image of God; Pharaoh is an idol of Horus.”
• On Constantine’s Laws (99:11):
  “[Constantine] said branding criminals on the face disrespected the image of Christ in which each person is created.”
• On [Orthodox] Politics Today (190:54):
  “Politics is just the ethics of life and community together.”
• On Hope vs. Cynicism (182:38):
  “If we look at history with triumphalism, then it’s going to go very dark, because that’s really about power. But if we look at it with hope, then we’re looking for Christ because He is our hope.”
• On Our Call Now (193:21):
  “Nothing is stopping us from actually living communal lives anymore… Maybe that’s what politics actually is—at least what Christian politics actually is.”

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:22 | Sabbath as divine enthronement and the start of kingship | | 22:06–27:33 | Deuteronomy’s commands for Israelite kings; humility, Torah, icon vs. idol | | 34:46–36:25 | Justice, rulers as icons of God, mutual responsibilities | | 61:23–67:01 | Roman aversion to kings, Augustus as Imperator | | 92:56–101:23| Constantine’s Christian policies and legal reforms | | 103:06–112:01| Nicaea urban legends debunked | | 142:02–145:52| Byzantine coronation rite (manual II Palaiologos) | | 147:24 | NT teaching: rulers as God’s servants, Romans 13 and the meaning for Christian life | | 190:54 | “Politics is just the ethics of life and community together.” | | 182:38 | “If we look at history…with hope, then we’re looking for Christ…” | | 193:21 | Challenge to live communal Christian lives now |

Conclusion

Saint Constantine the Great did not invent new Christianity, but rather fulfilled a hope at the heart of the biblical tradition: a transformed kingship serving Christ’s reign, ordered around justice and theosis, rather than pagan patterns of domination. Today, while monarchy is mostly absent, the call for rulers and all Christians—no matter the system—to act as icons of divine justice, to honor offices, and to create communities of righteousness remains. The episode closes with a pastoral exhortation: the hope of Christian kingship points to Christ the King and saints who rule with Him, and our politics are to be lived out as the communal pursuit of holiness, justice, and peace.

Final Word:

“The fundamental reality…is something we can at least taste when we take seriously the fact we’re living together and want the life that we live together to be one of good order, holiness, righteousness, and therefore justice.”
— Fr. Stephen De Young (195:20)

For full references, stories, and in-depth analysis, listen to the episode or consult the detailed transcript.