Saint Vladimir
Saint Vladimir I of Kiev (born c. 958 AD in Budyatino, Kievan Rus'; died July 15, 1015 AD in Berestovo, near Kiev, Kievan Rus' (modern Ukraine)) was the Grand Prince of Kiev from 980 to 1015 AD who converted to Christianity in 988 AD and brought mass baptism to the Rus' people in the Dnieper River at Kiev — an event known as the Baptism of Rus' and considered the founding event of Russian and Ukrainian Christianity. He is venerated as "Equal to the Apostles" in the Eastern Christian tradition. His feast day is July 15.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Vladimir
| Saint Vladimir | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | July 15 |
| Profession | Grand Prince of Kiev (980–1015 AD); "Equal to the Apostles"; Christianizer of the East Slavic peoples; political and military ruler |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Russian Orthodox Church; Ukrainian Orthodox Church; all Eastern Slavic Christian traditions; 10th-century Kievan Rus'; "Equal to the Apostles" |
| Patronage | Russia; Ukraine; Kyiv (Kiev); Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra; Eastern Slavic peoples; those who seek conversion; rulers; those who promote Christianity in their domains |
| Attributes | Grand princely dress; large cross (the instrument of the Baptism of Rus'); the Dnieper River; the Varangian warrior costume (before conversion); Byzantine imperial princess (Anna); pagan idol being destroyed; the statue on the Kiev hill |
| Birthplace | Budyatino (or Vaishgrod), Kievan Rus' (modern Ukraine) |
| Death Place | Berestovo, near Kiev, Kievan Rus' (modern Ukraine) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died July 15, 1015 AD, at his estate at Berestovo near Kiev; he had been Grand Prince of Kiev for 35 years and had spent the last 27 years of his reign as a Christian ruler; he died during a military campaign; he left approximately 12 sons from multiple wives and concubines (he had a large harem before his conversion); after his death his sons engaged in fratricidal warfare; two of them — Boris and Gleb — were killed by their brother Sviatopolk and are venerated as the first martyrs of Kievan Rus' (Saints Boris and Gleb) |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Saint Vladimir, Kyiv (Kiev) — dedicated to him; Chersonesus Cathedral near Sevastopol — site of his baptism; Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — general pilgrimage complex; enormous outdoor commemoration at the Dnieper annually on July 28 |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); July 15; Major feast in Russian Orthodox Church (July 28 OS); public holiday in Ukraine and Russia |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Eastern churches |
Biography
Vladimir Sviatoslavich was born c. 958 AD, son of Prince Sviatoslav I of Kiev and grandson of Saint Olga of Kiev (who was the first member of the ruling dynasty to convert to Christianity). He seized the Kievan throne c. 980 AD.
Before conversion he was a pagan warrior known for a large harem, human sacrifice, and military campaigns against neighboring peoples.
In 988 AD he captured the Greek city of Chersonesos (Crimea) and used it as leverage to secure a Byzantine princess (Anna, sister of Emperor Basil II) as his wife. The price was his baptism. He was baptized at Chersonesos.
He returned to Kiev and ordered the destruction of pagan idols. He had the great idol of Perun (the thunder god) dragged through the streets and beaten. He then ordered the entire population of Kiev to come to the Dnieper River for mass baptism — the "Baptism of Rus'" (988 AD).
After his conversion he became known for charity: he sent food to the sick, freed captives, and abolished capital punishment for a time (later reinstated under ecclesiastical pressure). He built churches, brought Greek clergy to train a native clergy, and established the institutional framework of the Rus' church.
He died July 15, 1015 AD. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church c. the 13th century. He is venerated as "Equal to the Apostles" in the Eastern tradition.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Budyatino (or Vaishgrod), Kievan Rus' (modern Ukraine)
Death location: Berestovo, near Kiev, Kievan Rus' (modern Ukraine)
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of Saint Vladimir, Kyiv — dedicated to him; major Ukrainian pilgrimage church.
- Chersonesus Cathedral, near Sevastopol — site of his baptism.
- Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Cave Monastery) — general center of Kievan Rus' Christianity; UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Feast day
July 15
Veneration
Saint Vladimir I of Kiev baptized the Rus' people in the Dnieper River in 988 AD, founding Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian Christianity. Venerated as "Equal to the Apostles" in the Eastern tradition. Feast July 15 (Catholic) / July 28 (Orthodox).
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