Why does Constantine have a Beard in Icons?

by The Tabellion 5 views

Emperor Constantine the Great was a pivotal figure in Christianity's history, legalizing the faith, overseeing the First Ecumenical Council, and converting to the faith himself. As such, you're likely to run into churches named after him and icons depicting him.

Yet, despite being the emperor to return to a clean shaven look after centuries of bearded emperors, Constantine himself is depicted as bearded as well, despite contemporary statues of him being smooth faced. Why does Constantine have a beard in Orthodox icons?

Today I look at the supposed "Heavenly Beard" of Saint Constantine.

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00:00 An Iconographic Beard

01:53 Not the Very Image of Things

05:32 Through a Glass Darkly