Commemoration of the opening of Constantinople
Date of celebration: 11/05/2020
When Constantine the Great captured the city of Byzantium, he built it bigger and named it Constantinople. In 330 AD and after finishing all the walled castle, the houses and the Holy churches, he dedicated it to the Most Holy Theotokos. Then to thank God for this magnificent work, he made a litany with the then Patriarch, all the clergy and the people. When they went up to the Forum, the citizens set up his statue there, and in his head they put the nails with which they nailed Christ. At the base of the statue they placed the twelve baskets, in which they had gathered the leftovers of the five loaves, which Christ blessed and multiplied. Since then, the Church celebrates this commemorative feast every year.
The specific day of the inauguration of Constantinople was deliberately chosen, because it coincided with the day of commemoration of the martyrdom of Saint Mokios, who was also the patron saint of Byzantium.
