There's a New Meme in Town – Trump as 'Constantine the Great'

Prez gifted with Cross of Peace symbolizing the Holy Roman Emperor

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The highest-ranking cleric of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese of America bestowed lofty praise on president Trump this week, comparing him to one of the most important Roman emperors – and the first to convert to Christianity.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros commended Trump for his support of religious liberty and protection of Christians in front of an enthusiastic crowd gathered for the annual White House Greek Independence Day celebration. 

"Through your leadership, you embody the values of our Christian faith and love for the Gospel," the archbishop said. "You remind me of the great Roman Emperor Constantine the Great … who founded and built the magnificent city of Constantinople. …" 

To highlight the comparison, he presented Trump with a Holy Cross that symbolizes Constantine's military triumph at the famous Battle of Milvian Bridge and subsequent conversion to Christianity.

"[It] is the very symbol that led the great Roman Emperor Constantine to victory," he explained, "as Christ revealed [it] to him in a vision [saying] … 'go with this and be victorious.'" 

"With this cross I pray you bring peace to the world and make America invincible," he enjoined.

Within the context of the comparison, the archbishop also thanked Trump for establishing the White House Faith Office, designed to support houses of worship serve families and communities, which the archbishop said "promises to be an extraordinary collaboration between your Administration and Faith Leaders."

Trump has also issued an executive order to eradicate anti-Christian bias running rampant during the last administration.

He especially thanked the president for his commitment to "the Christians of the Middle East, who keep Christianity alive and thriving in the lands of its origin."

"Mr. President, you lead the world in championing freedom and peace between all peoples," he underscored.

The comparison prompted a diverse array of reactions on X – some loving it, some responding to it with sour grapes, and some seeing it as a great way to troll the Left.

I love this! Long live our new Constantine Emperor, Donald Trump! Make Istanbul, Constantinople again!

The Archbishop just handed President Trump a Holy Cross, proclaiming him as the "New Constantine" – like the legendary founder of Constantinople! This is history in the making.

Some call him a "David" Some say he is a reincarnation of Cyrus the Great. Now this Greek Orthodox Archbishop tells Trump that he reminds him of Constantine the Great. Whatever he is, whoever he is, Trump is being recognized by all as an important historic figure.

This isn't politics. This is prophetic deception in full view. [Trump's] not saving Christianity – he's replacing Christ.

Trump recognised as the new Constantine …. There's a thought to amuse the Progressives at 4 am.

Well I wasn't expecting the good Archbishop to declare Trump as the new Constantine but an interesting development, nonetheless.

Indeed, a lot of viewers, like the commenter above, were surprised by the archbishop's comparison, given he is generally considered among the American Orthodoxy's more liberal clerics. He was once described as being cut from the "same pastoral cloth as Francis."

Elpidophoros delivered the invocation at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 and the benediction at Democratic National Convention in August 2024.

Trump himself expressed surprise at the archbishop's gestures saying, "I didn't know that [the comparison and the gift of the Cross] was going to happen."

Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD which established religious toleration in the Roman Empire. It ended persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire.

Constantine also restored land and wealth to Christians that had been confiscated during persecutions, and exempted clergy from taxes and civil responsibilities so they could focus on religious affairs.

He demonstrated a personal commitment to Christianity and laid the groundwork for Christianity to become the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Eastern Orthodoxy has elevated Constantine to sainthood and refers to him as "the 13th apostle," while he is not formally recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Trump ended the celebration by focusing on historical and political similarities between the US and Greece:

"America is inextricably tied to both ancient and modern Greece. We are tethered by history and tradition, the struggle for self-governance, emancipation, and rebirth."

"Our Founding Fathers drew inspiration from Greek philosophers and statesmen to form the tenets of our new Republic, now enshrined in our Constitution," Trump said. "Our national character has been shaped, in part, by the indelible impact of Greek influence in the arts and architecture, language and literature, and academia and military tradition."

Before the event ended, the president proclaimed March 25, 2025, as Greek Independence Day, commemorating the day in 1821 that Greek revolutionaries began their successful war for independence against the Muslim Ottoman Empire.  

Dr. Barbara Toth has a doctorate in rhetoric and composition from Bowling Green State University. She has taught high school in Poland and Oman and at universities in the US, China and Saudi Arabia. Her work in setting up a writing center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahmen University, an all-women's university in Riyadh, has been cited in American journals. Toth has published academic and non-academic articles and poems internationally.

Editor's note:

HOW SOULS AND LIBERTY WILL MOVE FORWARD THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

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Donald Trump is president once again, and his decisions, Cabinet selections, and force of personality are shaping the United States and the world in ways we could only dream of.

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Editor-in-Chief, Souls and Liberty