In the church calendar there are many memorable dates dedicated to the Slavic saints, ascetics and martyrs, but one of the most significant dates is the Day of St. Prince Vladimir. Vladimir not only baptized, but also established Christianity as the new religion of Kievan Rus.
Holy Prince Vladimir
Vladimir is the son of Prince Svyatoslav and grandson of Grand Duchess Olga. Before his death, Svyatoslav divided his land among his sons - Oleg, Yaropolk and Vladimir. When his father died, three quarrels began between the three brothers, after which Vladimir became the prince of all Russia. In 987, Vladimir, capturing Chersonese, which belonged to the Byzantine Empire, and demanded the hands of Anna, Sister Vasily and Constantine - the two Byzantine emperors. The emperors set the condition for Vladimir - the acceptance of the faith of Christ. When Anna arrived in Chersonese, Vladimir suddenly went blind. In hope, he will be healed, the prince was baptized and immediately received his sight. In ecstasy he said: "At last I saw the true God!". Struck by this miracle, the prince's warriors were also baptized. In Chersonese the couple was married. For his beloved wife Vladimir gave Byzantium Chersonese, having built there the temple of the Baptist Lord. Returning to the capital, Vladimir baptized all his sons.
The Baptism of Rus by St. Prince Vladimir
Soon the prince began to eradicate paganism in Russia and the destruction of pagan idols. Baptized boyars and priests walked through the streets and houses, telling about the Gospel and denouncing idolatry. Having adopted Christianity, Prince Vladimir began to erect Christian churches where idols had previously stood. The baptism of Rus was in 988. This key event is directly connected with Prince Vladimir, whom the church calls the Holy Apostles, historians - Vladimir the Great, and the people - Vladimir "Red Sun".
The relics of St. Vladimir
The relics of St. Vladimir, as well as the power of the blessed princess Olga, were originally located in the Kiev Tithe Church, but in 1240 it was destroyed by the Tatars. So the remains of St. Vladimir for many centuries rested under the ruins. Only in 1635 Peter Mogila discovered a shrine with the relics of St. Vladimir. From the coffin it was possible to extract a brush of the right hand and a head. Subsequently, the brush was transported to St. Sophia Cathedral, and the head - Pechersk Lavra .
The Church celebrates St. Vladimir on the day of his death - July 28.