Saint Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles - History

Look at the icon of the icon of St. Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles.
The adoption of Christianity was a revolution that revitalized and revitalized Russia and showed it the historical road. This revolution was made by Prince Vladimir, who received the name of Saint, a great man in his time.

 

Vladimir was the grandson of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, the son of the warlike Svyatoslav, the Kiev prince and the housekeeper Malusha. Being still in his childhood, Vladimir was called by the Novgorodians to reign and went to Novgorod together with his uncle Dobrynia. On the death of Svyatoslav, between his children began to feud. During the wars Vladimir conquered Kiev and killed his brother Yaropolk-Christian, or, in any case, according to the chronicle, "who gave the great will to Christians."

 

The first years of the reign, we see Vladimir a fierce pagan. But the Lord was preparing him a different field. Byzantine Empire shook the blows of two rebellious commanders: in difficult circumstances, the emperors, brothers co-rulers Vasily Bolaboroboytsa and Constantine, turned to Vladimir for help. As a reward for military assistance, Vladimir asked the hands of the sister of the emperors of Anna, which he could receive only by receiving Holy Baptism. So in the struggle of human aspirations the will of God determined the entry of Russia into the fertile fold of the Church of the Universal. He brought to Kiev the first spiritual and necessary supplies for Christian worship. In Kiev he baptized his sons and people.

 

Everyone was baptized in the waters of the Dnieper from small children to old people; Pagan idols were ordered to destroy and burn. That there has not been an idolatry since then in Russia. Vladimir actively engaged in the dissemination of faith, baptized people on lands subject to him, built churches, appointed spiritual ones. In the name of enlightenment, he organized book schools. Much has been done by Vladimir for the defense of Holy Russia, and for the expansion of its borders. His feat was continued by his sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, who owned the Russian land for almost six centuries.

 

The feast day of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir was established on July 15.