February 15 - Vladimir the Great

February 15 – Vladimir the Great

Russia was still a pagan country, though the princess of Kiev – Olga was a Christian. Christianity was present, but had yet to become a prevailing force in the country. Olga’s son (a name I can’t pronounce, much less spell) ruled from Kiev and when he died, one of his sons became ruler, another son ruled a group of Slavs and his illegitimate son, Vladimir was sent to rule in northwest Russia.

The two legitimate brothers began warring with each other and Vladimir escaped to Scandinavia where he built an army of Vikings which would assist him in taking Kiev. Vladimir expanded his territory, but did so as a pagan. He had 800 concubines and at least 5 wives, built shrines and temples to the gods and established the thunder-god Perun as the supreme deity. It was said that he even participated in human sacrifice to the gods.

In 983, to celebrate a victory, he decided that he needed to offer a human sacrifice to the gods. When the lot was cast, a young Christian boy named Ioann was chosen. His father rebelled and refused to give up his son. The crowds were furious! How could one man go against the gods. They feared terrible retribution and murdered both the boy and his father. Persecution against Christians continued in Russia for a period of time.

Vladimir was politically very astute and realized that this type of persecution and antipathy was not aiding his kingdom. A new religion was needed. He sent envoys out to learn about the various religions. Judaism and Islam were discarded because of their dietary restrictions. When he settled on Christianity, he had to decide between Roman and Eastern Christianity. The beauty of the Eastern liturgy drew his attention and the Byzantine emperor saw a chance to enhance the relationship by offering his sister to Vladimir as his bride.

Vladimir had to be baptized to marry Anna, which he did in 988, taking the Christian name – Basil. Because of Methodius and Cyril, the liturgy was already in the Slavonic language. Vladimir built beautiful churches and Eastern monks were welcomed into the country as they took the Gospel among the people. Pagan monuments were destroyed. He set aside his concubines and former wives, having only Anna in his life. He built schools and made peace with neighboring rulers. Vladimir was committed to his new religion as were his people.