After participating in the 117th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco in Little Italy, New York on Sunday, Oct. 28th, the Order was featured in the Nov. 2018 Craco Society Bulletin. In addition to Emperor Constantine's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, the article, reprinted below, explores the possible historical connection between our sacred Order, the Theban Legion, and glorious San Vincenzo.
The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and San Vincenzo
The Mass celebrating the 117th Feast of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco in New York at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood was graced for the first time by a contingent from the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
The order’s website is a wealth of information about their history.
They are an Order of Knighthood whose tradition dates back to Emperor Constantine who founded the Order following the miraculous appearance of the Cross at Saxa Rubra. The Constantinian Order has been considered one of the most ancient among the Orders of Knighthood.
The unification of Italy deprived the Constantinian Order of its territorial possessions, but the Royal House maintains the Grand Magistry since the Order is a dynastic institution. On several occasions the Holy See has confirmed the continuance of the Order and of its Grand Master in the person of the Head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. The current Grand Master is H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro. The Order has delegations in each Italian region, and throughout Europe and the Americas.
The participation of the delegation in this year’s event comes with amazing significance to us.
In 1901 the New York Times news article about the first celebration of the feast of San Vincenzo in New York mentions that it took place outside Most Precious Blood Church while it was under construction. The newspaper also noted a military honor guard attended, which seems fitting since San Vincenzo was a man-of-arms. Coincidentally, the mantles worn by the Knights attending this year match the tunic color the Theban Legion wore. But the connections between San Vincenzo and the Knights go back further to the legendary start of the Constantinian Order.
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| San Vincenzo at Most Precious Blood Church, Little Italy, New York |
On October 28, the date we celebrated San Vincenzo this year, marks the day in 312AD when Constantine achieved a victory at the Milvian Bridge after having a vision that he would win the victory under the sign of Christ. In gratitude, Constantine ordered that Christian worship would be tolerated throughout the empire.
Constantine’s victory that day, fifteen hundred years ago, was over Marcus Aurelius Maxentius, the son of Emperor Maximinianus. It was Emperor Maximinianus, who as a general in 286AD, ordered the decimation of the Theban Legion.
A complicated series of events and turmoil followed with various factions contending for emperor. The Roman Senate, unhappy with Maximianus’ rule forced him to renounce his imperial position in favor of his son. Perhaps hedging his bets, Maximinianus then had his youngest daughter Fausta, marry Constantine one of the contenders for Emperor. Afterwards, Maximinianus returned to Gaul (where he had ordered the destruction of the Theban Legion) and began hatching schemes against his son-in-law Constantine in an attempt to regain his imperial position. In a confrontation with Constantine, Maximinianus’ soldiers surrendered him to his rival, but Constantine generously pardoned him. Soon after, Maximinianus returned to scheming against his son-in-law, and finally was compelled to take his own life in 310AD by “falling on his sword,” an amazing end to someone who put the 6,000 Theban troops to the sword two decades before.
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| The Battle of the Milvian Bridge |
Constantine’s victory at the Milvian Bridge in 312AD gave him total control of the Western Roman Empire. When he issued the Edict of Milan, making Christianity officially recognized in the Roman Empire he paved the way for Christianity to become the dominant religion in Europe.
Part of the victory at the Milvian Bridge was attributed to the reconstituted Theban Legion. In the years after the decimation of the Legion by Maximinianus the remnant remaining in Egypt continued to recruit and serve the Romans. It may be no coincidence that around 312AD they chose to join Constantine in the struggle for control of the Empire over Maximinianus’ son, who they knew was responsible for the death of 6,000 of their predecessors.
Commemorating the victory, the Arch of Constantine was erected, outside the Colosseum in Rome. On the Arch is recognition of the role of the Theban Legion with images of the soldiers.
The Thebans were an auxiliary unit in the Roman Legions. Although they are usually thought of as infantry they were actually specialists - archers. Historically, we know they were Berbers from North Africa, serving the Egyptian Pharaohs for generations in their role as proficient and accomplished archers. In the Roman Empire they were a valuable commodity that fit the strategy and tactics supporting the Roman Legions at a time when extra manpower was needed.
Constantine’s Arch gives us an insight into their specialty and dress. Visible is the unique way they placed arrows in their head dress making them more quickly accessible during battle.
Is it only coincidence that the descendants of the Theban Legion end up defeating the pagans who had massacred their ancestors? Is there some higher connection with the descendants of the martyred Thebans supporting Constantine in opening the world to Christianity?
While pondering the questions, there is no doubt the Knights attending the feast this year helped us unlock more of the story of San Vincenzo and the Theban Legion.
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