MUSEUM OF BYZANTINE CULTURE: THE CELEBRATION OF OCTOBER 28 WILL REVEAL “ANOTHER” OCTOBER 28

 A very interesting aspect of Christianity history will be highlighted in the speech of Byzantinologist Ms. Dionyssia Missiou titled "The victory of Constantine the Great on October 28, 312 A.D. and its significance". The speech will be delivered at the "Melina Mercouri" Amphitheater of the Museum in Thessaloniki on October 16, 2019 at 8 p.m., on the battle that took place between both Augusti, Maxentius and Constantine, on October 28, 312 A.D. at the Milvian Bridge on River Tiber in Rome and the final victory of Constantine, who was declared the sole Augustus in the West. However, that day was extremely important for Christianity.

Through this battle, Constantine aimed at the enforcement of monocracy and the protection of the new religion, Christianity, the establishment of which was marked on that day. Persecutions of those who believed in it were halted and there was the rapid growth of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. Constantine, who interpreted his victory as the very will of the God of Christians and believed that it was due to divine inspiration, began to be interested in Christianity.

Besides, according to historical evidence, the night before the battle Constantine had a vision of a bright cross that appeared in the sky which formed the Greek letters X-P and the words "Εν Τούτῳ Νίκα” (En touto nika, meaning in Greek "through this (sign), (you shall) win". The welcome speech of the event will be given by the director of the Museum of Byzantine Culture, Dr. AgathonikI Tsilipakou.