What is the Donation of Constantine?

Response

The Donation of Constantine, also known as the Constitutum Constantini, was a manuscript utilized in the Middle Ages to uphold papal authority and land privileges. Penned around AD 750 to 800, it asserts to be a documentation of Emperor Constantine’s conversion account and his dealings with Sylvester I, a bishop of Rome recognized as pope in the Catholic faith. The most remarkable aspect of the Donation is the Emperor’s alleged bestowal of extensive powers to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Although it presents itself as originating from the Emperor, it is widely considered a fabrication based on tales about Sylvester I that emerged in the fourth and fifth centuries. Initially, we will examine the contents of the Donation. Subsequently, we will explore what scholars have uncovered about this enigmatic counterfeit.

The Donation of Constantine commences with a detailed salutation, swiftly moving into an elucidation of the Christian belief, elucidating concepts like the Trinity and the narrative of Scripture. It then delves into Constantine’s personal “testimony,” depicting him as a pagan afflicted with leprosy. After experiencing a vision of Peter and Paul during the night, Constantine approaches Sylvester I, who urges him to repent and submit himself before God. Upon professing faith in Jesus Christ, Constantine is baptized and miraculously healed of his leprosy.

Subsequently, the Emperor acknowledges the supremacy of the Roman church, proclaiming the bishop of Rome as superior to all other churches: “And, to the extent of our earthly imperial power, we decree that his holy Roman church shall be honoured with veneration; and that, more than our empire and earthly throne, the most sacred seat of St. Peter shall be gloriously exalted; we giving to it the imperial power, and dignity of glory, and vigour and honour” (The Donation of Constantine, ⁋ 10). As if that were not sufficient, the bold act of generosity persists as Constantine purportedly bestows the bishop of Rome withMe and his successors acquired vast expanses of land, including the city of Rome itself. He bestowed upon the pope and other clergy material gifts, such as the right to wear imperial garments. Lastly, he vigorously denounced anyone who disputed the Donation or attempted to seize anything bestowed upon the pope for themselves.

The propaganda significance of The Donation of Constantine is readily apparent. As the Roman Church aimed to establish its political dominance in the Middle Ages, particularly in contrast to the Eastern Church, the Donation was utilized on numerous occasions to bolster Rome’s assertions. The document gained widespread attention in the 11th century, when Pope Leo IX referenced it to uphold his own sovereignty.

Despite sporadic allegations of being a counterfeit, the Donation was cited by Roman Catholic defenders throughout the Middle Ages. Owing to various chronological inconsistencies, scholars ultimately exposed The Donation of Constantine as a forgery in the 15th century. The Roman Catholic Church, while maintaining the historical authenticity the document purportedly represented, eventually admitted that the Donation was a forgery and completely ceased its utilization four centuries later.

Despite some intriguing hypotheses, the author and circumstances surrounding The Donation of Constantine are likely to remain a mystery. What is not enigmatic is the falsehood of its assertions. Contrary to the Donation’s proclamations, the church in Rome is not the “head and summit of all the churches in the whole world”; Jesus Christ is. Regardless of whether Constantine or any other earthly ruler granted any single religious figure the extensive authority described in the Donation, believers can be assured that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” «The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. », (Psalm 24:1).

The actions of kings and bishops do not align with God’s kingdom, where the principle is that “the last shall be first, and the first last” «So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen. », (Matthew 20:16). Jesus elucidated the way His followers should live, as servants to one another: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).