Christianization of Rus’ in the spotlight of the Presidential Library

July 28, 2019 marks the 1031st anniversary of Christianization of Rus’ and the 1004th anniversary of the death of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir. The portal and the collections of the Presidential Library contain a variety of electronic versions of publications from different years, handwritten texts, research papers, video lectures and radio programs that spotlight Christianization of Rus’.

In 988, Prince Vladimir received the rite of consecration with water and a new faith in Korsun. The rare book of Ivan Nekrasov in 1888 “Grand Prince Vladimir the Holy Equal of the Apostles: a story from Russian history” covers how difficult it was for Prince Vladimir to make a choice in favor of Orthodoxy.

Prince Vladimir thought about a single faith with people. He did not care paganism. Anxiety and fear tormented the prince's heart. How many sons and daughters died because of paganism! After all, parents had to sacrifice their children.

Strengthening the state required the adoption of a single faith, it was necessary only not to make a mistake with the choice. Vladimir decides to study the four mainstream religions and choose one for Russia.

In 1914, the printing house of the Holy Synod, which was located in the building where the Presidential Library is now housed, published the book “Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir”. It reflects impression of the Orthodox worship on the Russian envoys of Prince Vladimir.

The day has come, writes Ivan Nekrasov in the study “Grand Prince Vladimir the Holy Equal of the Apostles: a story from Russian history” when Vladimir said: “I am baptized. I have tested your law before this time. I like your faith, I was told about it by people who came to you from Kiev from me and from my people”.

Thus, the spiritual path of Russia was determined.

Vladimir’s selection of faith and Christianizaion of Rus’ are described in detail in The Tale of Bygone Years, commented on by A. A. Shakhmatov and printed in 1916, in the manuscript course of lectures on The Ancient Russian History by V. O. Klyuchevsky, published in 1885, and in a number of publications from the electronic collections of the Presidential Library.

Like many other reforms, Christianization of Rus’ was initially perceived incredulously. But the result of Vladimir's messianic deed nevertheless bore undeniable fruits: Russia began to successfully develop as an Orthodox country.

The cardinal turn from paganism to Christianity became the most important event in the life of the Slavic people. Here you can bring excerpts from V. Zavitnevich's article “Holy Vladimir as a Political leader”, published in the collection “The Vladimir Collection in Memory of the Bicentennial of Christianization of Rus’” (1888).