What you need to know about the baptism of Rus'. Baptism Day of Rus': how Prince Vladimir abandoned paganism An important event that happened in 988

1) so-called the first (Photius or Askold) baptism in the 860s, which is usually associated with the names of the Kyiv princes Askold and Dir; it was co-created in Rus-si epi-sco-py (or arch-hi-episco-py), subsequently gib-shay;

2) personal baptism Kyiv princess Olga in Constantinople in 946 or 957;

3) the baptism of Rus' by Vladimir;

4) active church building and measures for the organization of the Church, the expansion of the diocese -al-noy and par-khod-skoy struc-tour, pre-pri-n-mav-shie-sya under the Ki-ev-sky prince. Yaro-sla-ve Vla-di-mi-ro-vi-che Mu-drom and with his predecessors.

Background and reasons

According to the totality of the given historical sources, the baptism of Rus' appears as a targeted choice of the book. Vla-di-mir-ra, conditioned by his personal religious quest and complex of internal and external -chin (unsatisfaction with the language-che-ski-mi cult-ta-mi in the quality of the na-tsio-nal-no-con-so-li-di- I’m ru-ing the fact, there’s no-possibility of entry Old Russian state among the world powers, etc.).

According to ancient Russian tradition, Vladimir and his squad in the late 980s. decided to change their faith after lengthy discussions and negotiations with countries belonging to different faiths. In Le-to-pi-si there is preserved a legend about the “testing of faiths” of the book. Vla-di-mi-rum. It tells about the salts in Kiev from the Volga Bulgaria, from the Latin Za-pa-da, from Iu-dai-zi-ro- Van-nykh Kha-Zar and from Viz-zan-tiya, who convinced the prince to accept their faith. Vladi-mir from the rulers of their own salt-st-va “in the Bol-gars”, “in the Germans”, “in the Greeks”, so that “test their service.” After his return from the embassy, ​​he based his choice on the Christianity of the Byzantine rite, ra-ziv- in the words of God's beautiful service.

The decision to accept Christianity in its Eastern, Orthodox version from Constantinople was due not only to this, but also to the desire to preserve the important ties established with Byzantium in previous years. No less important was the prestige of the Byzantine Empire, which was at the zenith of its power at that time.

Baptism of Vladimir and his squad

Depending on the circumstances and time of the baptism of the prince. Vladimir-ra in ancient Russian sources there is no unity. According to the “Kor-sun-skoy le-gen-de” - pre-da-niyu, which is from the ru-be-zha of the 11th-12th centuries. entered the Old Russian Le-to-pi-sa-nie, and then into the Life of St. Vladi-mi-ra, the prince was baptized in the city of Kor-sun, the center of Byzantine dominion in the Crimea, captured by him, in 988 (once in fact the capture of Kor-su-ni pro-isosh-lo, most likely, in 989); there also took place the marriage of Vla-di-mir with the sister of the Byzantine im-per-ra-to-ditch Va-si-lia II Bol -ga-ro-boys and Kon-stan-ti-na VIII An-noy. Su-sche-st-vu-et and another tradition, for-fi-si-ro-van-naya also already in the 11th century, which-paradise at-ur-chi-va- The baptism of Vladimir to Kiev and at the time two years before the capture of Kor-su-ni.

The baptism of Russian cities and the establishment of a church organization in Rus'

After the baptism of the prince and his friends, a mass baptism was followed by the state authorities -living of the largest cities, the capital of all Kiev and Novgorod. In the first years after baptism (no later than 997), a mi-tro-poly was established in the Old Russian state with the center in Kiev, under-chi-nyon-noy Kon-stan-ti-no-pol-sko-mu pat-ri-ar-ha-tu. At one time, with the mit-ro-po-li-it, there were no less than three dioceses in it: in Nov-go-ro-de , in Bel-go-ro-de Ki-ev-sky, and also, probably, in Po-lots-ka and/or Cher-ni-go-ve. You were first an episcopal Greek. In co-ordination with the church tra-di-tsi-y (for-strong-beer-shay no earlier than the 16th century) the first mi-tro-po- should we consider St. to be Kievsky? Mi-hai-la, one-on-ko, the Byzantine is-t-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-t-pre-suppose that the first mi-tro-po- it was Feo-fi-lakt, transferred to Russia from Se-va-sti-skaya mi-tro-po-lia (se-ve-ro-east of Asia Minor ).

Since the 990s in Ru-si there is a de-re-re-temple-building. In agreement with “In praise of Prince Vladi-mi-ru” (1040s), by the future Metropolitan Il-rion, with Vla-di-mi-re arose and the first mo-na-sty-ri. In 995-996 in Kiev there was a first stone church, probably serving the princes palace-tso-vym with-bo-rum. With the foundation of this church, ancient Russian is- sues are connected with measures of state power to ensure ma-te-ri-al-no-mu pe-che-nu-church-organ-ga-ni-za-tion: for its needs a tenth part of the co-should be included -purchased princely estates - de-sya-ti-na, which-paradise met at the de-sya-tin-temple. The next stage of the baptism of Russia in the za-ko-no-da-tel-noy region became the division according to the Byzantine model of the prince and church (mi-tro-po-lich-her, epi-skop-skaya) juris-diction-tions, which is ancient Russian. tradition is also from-no-sit to the time of rights. Vla-di-mi-ra Holy-sla-vi-cha. In the sphere of church law, there were marriage-but-family relations, violations against morality. st-ven-no-sti, trial of the cl-ri-ka-mi and members of their families, etc. All these regulations were adopted in princely mouths of the X-XII centuries. The most important thing for whose purpose it was to provide the congregational and parish churches with Russian priests (why do children know na-sil-st-ven-but from-bi-ra-li “for book learning”), as well as God-serve-zhe-zhe- we have books.

Christianity in the XI-XII centuries.

The main principles of Christianity in the state and society, denoted in the - about the baptism of Russia, whether it continued in the 11th-12th centuries. The diocesan structure became more fractional, the number of dioceses increased to twelve. It is difficult to judge the development of the parish system during this period due to the lack of data; most likely, it follows the development of state administrative. structures, because the parish church was usually located in the administrative center (according to the state). So-ver-shen-st-vo-va-elk church-but-state mutual-mo-de-st-vie in the region-las-ti su-da. The arose-needs in God's service books were provided with creak-to-ri-mi, action Vav-shi-mi at large monasteries and, most likely, at episcopal departments. All this had a trace and more active christianity in the rural area. Latest information about pagan high-studies in large cities (Nov-gorod, Ros-tov, Yaro-slavl ) dates back to the 1070s. Since that time, language as a social factor is no longer traced.

The meaning of the baptism of Rus'

The adoption of Christianity had significant political consequences. It contributed to strengthening the international prestige of Rus', further strengthening and expanding traditional ties with Byzantium, and expanding contacts with the South Slavic world and Western countries.

The Baptism of Rus' was also important for the social life of ancient Russian society. The most important postulate of Christianity was based on the principle of the divine nature of supreme power. The postulate of Orthodoxy about the “symphony of powers” ​​turned the church into a strong support of power, making it possible for the spiritual unification of the entire state and the sanctification of the entire system of social relations. The adoption of Christianity contributed to the rapid strengthening of state institutions.

The Baptism of Rus' led to national consolidation and the development of culture. It contributed to the development of architecture and painting in its medieval forms, the penetration of Byzantine culture as the heir of the ancient tradition. The spread of Cyrillic writing and the book tradition was especially important: it was after the baptism of Rus' that the first monuments of ancient Russian written culture arose.

Literature

Priselkov M.D. Essays on the church-political history of Kievan Rus of the X-XII centuries. St. Petersburg, 1913.

Rapov O.M. Russian Church in the 9th - first third of the 12th century. Acceptance of Christianity. M., 1988.

Froyanov I.Ya. Ancient Rus' of the 9th-13th centuries. Popular movements. Princely and veche power. M., 2012.

Shcha-pov Ya. N. Go-su-dar-st-vo and the church of Ancient Ru-si X-XIII centuries. M., 1989.

The Baptism of Rus' by Prince Vladimir in 988 is perhaps the most mysterious episode in the history of the Russian people, which is filled with cruelty and ignorance towards all representatives of the Slavic-Aryan Family. The Baptism of Rus' in 988 can rightfully be considered a grandiose falsification on a global scale, which was organized Christian Church, European historians and ruling elites of the Russian Empire of the 17th – 18th centuries.

Of course, you may disagree with this and recognize this statement as complete nonsense and nonsense, but still, we will try to convince you otherwise.

Let's start with the fact that everything that will be written below is the purely personal opinion of the author and is for informational purposes only.

To begin with, let's refresh our memories (according to the official version of history) about such an important event as the BAPTISM OF Rus'. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko) did not immediately accept Christianity, but there was a so-called “test of faith.”

They were the first to come to Prince Vladimir in 986 AD. ambassadors from the Volga Bulgars with a proposal to accept Islam, but after all their long persuasion, the prince rejected their proposal, citing too strict rules this religion.

The second to come to Prince Vladimir were the Germans, who were sent by the Pope with sermons to Slavic lands. But, despite all the efforts of the preachers, their work was doomed to failure, since they claimed that “If anyone drinks or eats, then it is all for the glory of God.” Vladimir responded to this statement with a decisive refusal, telling them “Go where you came from, for our fathers did not accept this.”.

The third to come to him were the Khazar Jews, but here everything was already very clear. Since Vladimir’s father, or rather stepfather, Prince Svetoslav, defeated their native state - Khazar Khaganate, it was inappropriate for Prince Vladimir to disgrace the memory of his stepfather and accept the faith of his sworn enemies, because people probably wouldn’t appreciate this act. And yes, don’t be surprised, Vladimir was really not the natural son of Prince Svetoslav, but his own father was a Jewish rabbi, which is why his hatred of the Slavic ROD was so fierce.

The fourth and last to arrive to Prince Vladimir was a Byzantine preacher. This preacher told Vladimir about biblical history and the Christian faith, after which Prince Vladimir chose this particular faith, or rather religion - Christianity according to the Greek type.

And in the summer of 6496 from S.M.Z.H. (Creation of the World in the Star Temple) - this is 988 AD. The prince of Kievan Rus decided to be baptized by the Church of Constantinople. After which, clergy were sent from Constantinople, who baptized the residents of Kyiv in the waters of the Dnieper and Pochayna, and Vladimir himself was baptized a year earlier - in 987.

Yes, it's very beautiful story, which sounds and smells so sweet from the lips of modern priests and historians, but was it really so?

So, let's take it in order!

The concept of Rus', which began to be baptized in 988, must be understood as KIEVAN Rus', or more correctly, the DUTY OF KIEV, which broke away from the GREAT TARTARY - the Great Slavic-Aryan Power.

But the baptism of the Kievites itself did not take place as our religious leaders tell us. As it turned out, before baptism the population of Kievan Rus was educated, there were schools, almost everyone was taught to read and write, i.e. Almost the entire population could read, write and count freely, just like you and me. And these are not empty words, there is a lot of evidence of this even in official history, for example, the same “birch bark letters”.

So, the then inhabitants of Kievan Rus were adherents of Vedic culture, like the rest of the population of Great Tartaria. That is, they had a Vedic worldview, which gave people a real understanding of the laws of nature and the structure of the world, which in turn completely denied any religion with its blind belief in any rules and dogmas. Therefore, the people of Kiev refused to voluntarily accept the Greek faith, which Prince Vladimir wanted to impose. But behind Vladimir there were great forces who wanted to conquer the proud Slavs and Rus of Kievan Rus as soon as possible. This was followed by 12 years of forced Christianization, which gave Prince Vladimir the nickname BLOODY.

In the process of this Christianization, almost the entire adult population of Kievan Rus was destroyed. After all, this religion could only be imposed on unreasonable children who, due to their age, did not understand that they were simply being turned into weak-willed slaves, deprived of spiritual development.

From sources that have survived to our time, it turned out that before the start of Christianization in 988, on the territory of Kievan Rus there were about 300 cities and approximately 12 million inhabitants lived, but after it only 30 cities and 3 million tortured inhabitants remained. In fact, in the process of this GENOCIDE of the Slavs and Rus of Kievan Rus, 270 cities were destroyed and 9 million innocent people were killed!!! But despite all the hardships that befell the people of Kiev, Vedic tradition nevertheless, it was not completely destroyed and on the territory of Kievan Rus the so-called unspoken dual faith appeared, which existed until church reform Nikon 1650 - 1660.

You are probably thinking why the Great Tartaria did not intervene in this and did not stop this bloody extermination of the fraternal people. Believe me, this event did not go unnoticed, Tartaria simply could not fight on two fronts, since its main forces were concentrated on the Far Eastern borders in order to suppress the conflict with Arimia (China). But as soon as the military conflict with the Chinese was over, the troops of Great Tartaria were transferred to the western borders of the empire and in 1223 they began a military campaign to liberate the fraternal peoples. This event is better known as the Tatar-Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus by Batu Khan. Now you understand why on the Kalka River the united army of the Russian princes was completely defeated and why some Russian princes fought on the side of the “Tatar-Mongols”?!

So, without knowing true history of our people, you and I do not understand the obvious actions of our ancestors. There was and could not be any invasion of Mongol nomads! The Russian Khan Batu had the task of returning the lost territory back to Great Tartary and stopping the invasion of Christian fanatics into Vedic Rus'.

what happened in 988 and got the best answer

Answer from Belka[guru]
400 - 1000 Rome, Switzerland After the departure of the Romans, the west of modern Switzerland is inhabited by the Alemanni, and the east by the Swabians.
500 - 1000 Byzantine Empire [Sochi] Byzantine colonization of the Black Sea coast.
700 - 1000 Abkhazia [Sochi] The territory of Greater Sochi south of modern. Lazarevsky is part of the Abkhazian kingdom.
750 - 1258 Abbasid dynasty, Arab caliphs who traced their origins to Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad.
800 - 1100 Frankish Kingdom, Switzerland Territory of Switzerland under Frankish rule and then as part of the Holy Roman Empire.
800 - 1200 Byzantine Empire [Sochi] The weakened Byzantine influence on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is superimposed by the Abkhaz-Georgian one.
801 - 1000 [Mathematics] In Europe, the spread of Arabic numerals, which have the concept of zero and positionality, is increasing. They are gradually replacing Roman numerals, but this will finally happen only in the 17th century.
900 - 1000 [Sochi] Boundaries of Zikh settlement: from Nechepsukho (between Tuapse and Dzhubga) in the south and the mouth of the Kuban in the north.
900 - 1000 Byzantine Empire [Sochi] The Treaty of Byzantium with the Pechenegs protected the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus from the invasion of the latter, who captured the Crimea and the North Caucasus.
900 - 1400 North America The rise of the Anasazi culture. From the 6th century BC to the 16th century AD The Anasazi occupied the territory between the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and the upper Rio Grande.
907 - 1125 China State of the Khitan, from 947 - Liao dynasty, including part of Northern China.
960 - 992 Poland Reign of Mieszko I.
960 - 1279 China Chinese Song Dynasty.
975 - 1014 Ireland Brian Boru - King of Munster. //Atlas of Irish History, ed. Sean Duffy
975 - 1014 Georgia Bagrat III, founder of the Georgian Bagratid dynasty from Tao-Klarjeti. The unification of individual Georgian principalities into single state Sakartvelo. Annexation of Abkhazia.
980 - 1015 Ancient Rus' The reign of Vladimir I Svyatoslavovich the Holy.
988 Ancient Rus' The Russian flotilla was sent to Constantinople (for assistance). Mass baptism of Kiev residents took place. Apparently, the Greek Theophylact became the Metropolitan of Kyiv. The spread of Christianity in Rus' began. Construction of a system of defensive lines. Built around Kyiv on the Desna, Stugna, Ostra, Sula and Trubezh to protect against Polovtsian raids. There were three lines of defense. Garrisons were recruited from all over Rus'.
988 Ireland Máel Sechnaill demands "tribute" (and is paid) from the Vikings in Dublin (this tribute date is sometimes seen as the "founding date" of Dublin as a city).
988 Andorra Count of Barcelona Borrell II transferred the Andorra valley to the bishopric of Urgell.
988, January Ancient Rus' Vladimir married the Greek princess Anna and, according to the condition set by the emperor, converted to Christianity.
988, December Byzantine Empire, Ancient Rus' Vladimir besieged the Byzantine city of Chersonesus (Korsun), which belonged to Byzantium, and captured it (apparently already in January 989) thanks to the betrayal of the local bishop. He demanded that the imperial daughter be given in marriage to him (let her go to Kyiv) and that Rus' be baptized without vassal annexation to Byzantium.

Answer from °. °. Little Mermaid.° . °[guru]
Events of 988:
Baptism of Rus' by Prince Vladimir.
Vladimir Svyatoslavich built a chain of cities along the Desna, Osetra, Trubezh, Sula and Stugna rivers.
Stanislav Vladimirovich, younger son Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir Svyatoslavich around 988, according to the later Nikon Chronicle, received Smolensk as an inheritance, the first known prince of the Smolensk principality, was in the reign of Smolensk during the life of his father.
Mstislav the Brave receives Tmutarakan to reign.
Zamora was ravaged by Muslims. After a fierce assault, the Muslims broke into Leon.
The Christians, led by Count Gonzalo Gonzalez, were all killed, despite courageous resistance.
Subjugation of Dalmatia by the Bulgarians.
Conquest of Syria by the Fatimids.
Founding of the Muslim Academy-University Al-Azhar

Answer from Arina Arina[newbie]
I don't remember anymore.

Answer from Anatoly Borisov[newbie]
10th century 988 - Baptism of Rus', led; Vladimir Red Sun

For the term "1988" see other meanings. Years 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 1988 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1992 Decades 1960s · 1970s 1980s ... Wikipedia

Years 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 Decades 970 980 990 1000 ... Wikipedia

The Kiev Metropolis is the department of the metropolitans of Kyiv and all Rus', located from the time of the Baptism of Rus' until 1305 in Kyiv (the only one). Subsequently, the title of All Rus' was moved to the department of Vladimir on Klyazma, which was later moved to ... ... Wikipedia

Russian Byzantine War of 988 (capture of Korsun) siege and capture by Prince Vladimir of Kiev of the Greek city of Korsun in Crimea in 988 or 989. In the minds of ancient Russian scribes, the capture of Korsun is inextricably linked with what followed... ... Wikipedia

- (capture of Korsun) siege and capture by the Kyiv prince Vladimir of the Greek city of Korsun in Crimea in 988 or 989. In the minds of ancient Russian scribes, the capture of Korsun is inextricably linked with the subsequent Baptism of Rus'. Actually the story about the battle... Wikipedia

Years 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 Decades 970 980 990 1000 ... Wikipedia

Years 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 Decades 970 980 990 1000 ... Wikipedia

Years 986 · 987 · 988 · 989 990 991 · 992 · 993 · 994 Decades 970s · 980s 990s 1000s · … Wikipedia

Books

• Metropolitans of Ancient Rus' (X-X VI centuries), Archimandrite Macarius (Veretennikov). The new work of Archimandrite Macarius (Veretennikov) is dedicated to the All-Russian Metropolitans of the X-XVI centuries. The author examines the holy ministry of all the Primates of the Russian Church from 988 to 1586.…

In contact with

Sources give conflicting indications about exact time baptism.

Traditionally, following the chronicle chronology, the event is usually attributed to 988 and considered the beginning of the official history of the Russian Church (some researchers believe that the baptism of Rus' took place later: in 990 or 991).

Christianization of the peoples of the future Russian Empire was a long process that lasted over the next nine centuries.

Term and concept

The expression “Baptism of Rus'” is in “”:

“Under 6496 years from the creation of the world (approximately 988 years). Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved the Russian land and enlightened it with holy baptism.”

"Under 1074. There was also another brother, named Eremia, who remembered the baptism of the Russian land.”

In Russian historiography of modern times, the term was first used by V. N. Tatishchev (“the baptism of the Slavs and Rus'”) and N. M. Karamzin (“the baptism of Russia”).

Along with it, other terms (designations) were also used or are being used in the literature: “Enlightenment of Rus'”, “introduction of Christianity”, “second religious reform of Vladimir”, etc.

Background

A number of authors consider it a completely established fact that the princes Askold and Dir with the “Bolyars” and a certain number of people were baptized in Kiev by a bishop sent by Patriarch Photius I of Constantinople in the early or mid-860s, shortly after the Russian campaign against Constantinople in 860, according to other sources - during the time of Vasily I (867-886) and Patriarch Ignatius (867-877).

These events are sometimes called the first (Fotiev, or Askoldov) baptism of Rus'. At the end of the 9th century. The Russian diocese is already listed in the lists of Constantinople bishops, first in 61st place, then in 60th place.

The wife of Prince Igor was a Christian - the grandmother of Prince Vladimir, Princess Olga († July 11, 969). Although there are different opinions about the exact time and place of her baptism, it is generally accepted, according to later research, that she was baptized in Constantinople in 957.

Reliable information about the reception by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, who is considered to be her successor, is contained in his treatise “On Court Ceremonies”. The lack of mention of her baptism in the treatise gives reason to some researchers to assume that she could already have been a Christian by that time; the treatise mentions a certain “Presbyter Gregory” in her retinue, in whose person some are inclined to see her confessor.

According to V.N. Tatishchev (based on the controversial Joachim Chronicle), the Kiev prince (972-978 or 980) Yaropolk Svyatoslavich, who was killed by the Varangians on the orders of his brother Vladimir the Saint, showed sympathy for Christians and Christianity.

According to the Tale of Bygone Years, before the baptism of Prince Vladimir, a “test of faith” took place: Vladimir was offered, in particular, Islam from Volga Bulgaria, Judaism from the Khazars and Latinism. All of them were rejected by the prince for various reasons.

Baptism of Prince Vladimir and the people of Kiev

According to the Tale of Bygone Years, in 6496 “from the creation of the world” (that is, approximately 988 AD) Prince of Kyiv Vladimir Svyatoslavich decided to be baptized by the Church of Constantinople. After which, during the reign of Emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII Porphyrogenitus, the clergy sent by Patriarch Nicholas II of Constantinople, the Chrysoverg, baptized the Kyiv people in the waters of the Dnieper and (or) Pochayna.

According to the Russian chronicle The Tale of Bygone Years, the prince offered the following prayer during the baptism of his people:

“Great God, creator of heaven and earth! Look at this new people and grant them, Lord, to lead You, the true God, as You led the Christian countries, and establish in them a faith that is right and incorruptible, and help me, Lord, against the opposing enemy, and trusting in You and Your power, I will escape his wiles!”

Many historians date the baptism of Vladimir himself to 987. According to Byzantine and Arab sources, in 987 Constantinople entered into an alliance with Russia to suppress the rebellion of Bardas Phocas. The prince's condition was the hand of Princess Anna, sister of the Emperors Vasily and Constantine - an extremely humiliating demand for the Roman basileus. Then, at the height of the war with Varda Foka, Vladimir attacked Korsun and took possession of it, threatening Constantinople.

The emperors agree to give Anna to the prince, subject to the preliminary baptism of Vladimir, who is named after Vasily - in honor of his successor Emperor Vasily II; Vladimir “will give Korsun to the Greek queen for a vein” (for a vein for his wife).

Of the Byzantine chronicles, only “Anonymous Banduri” reports the “baptism of Rus'” in 988, which conveys the story of the choice of faith by Prince Vladimir, and the “Vatican Chronicle”:

“In the year 6496 Vladimir, who baptized Russia, was baptized.”

The last message is probably a reverse translation from The Tale of Bygone Years. In general, the event of 988 went virtually unnoticed in Byzantine literature, since, according to the Greeks, the conversion of Rus' occurred a century earlier.

The first Russian by origin, Metropolitan Hilarion of Kiev (XI), explains the motives of Prince Vladimir:

«<…>and all reason is in his heart, as if to understand the vanity of idolatry and flattery and to seek the one God, who created all creation, visible and invisible. Moreover, he always heard about the good faith of the Greek land, the love of Christ and the strong faith, how they honor and bow to the one God in the Trinity, how powers and miracles and signs are in them, how the churches are filled with people, how the weight and the city of the faithful all stand in prayer , all Gods stand. And hearing this, she longed in her heart, and burned in spirit, as if he were to become a Christian and his land.”

Establishment of a church organization in Kyiv

In the 20th century was put forward and supported by some church historians (M.D. Priselkov and A. Kartashev) the hypothesis that under Vladimir the Kiev Church was canonically dependent on the Ohrid hierarchy of the Bulgarian Church, which at that time allegedly had autocephaly (which does not correspond to generally accepted facts ), most researchers are not inclined to share it.

Several different names of the first Metropolitan of Kyiv appear in Russian chronicle sources.

In the Russian Church in the 16th century. a tradition has been established to consider him the Greek (or Syrian) Metropolitan Michael (Syrian), who in the month of the month is called “the first Metropolitan of Kyiv.”

Metropolitan Michael is credited with the founding of the Golden-Domed-Mikhailovsky Monastery in Kyiv, and the monks who arrived with him are credited with the founding of the monastery, which later received the name of Kiev-Mezhigorsky.

Baptism of other Russian lands

It is known that the first episcopal sees, besides Kyiv, were Novgorod, and also, possibly, Chernigov and Vladimir-Volyn and Belgorod (now the village of Belogorodka near Kiev), Pereyaslavl diocese.

In some territories, Christianity was imposed by force; At the same time, religious buildings of the pagans were destroyed, and those who resisted were subjected to repression.

According to some chronicles, Novgorod offered active resistance to the introduction of Christianity: it was baptized in 990 by Bishop Joachim with the military assistance of the Kyiv governor Dobrynya (brother of Prince Vladimir’s mother, Malushi) and the thousand Putyata.

Helpful information

Baptism of Russia
baptism of the Slavs and Rus'
baptism of Russia
Enlightenment of Rus'
introduction of Christianity
second religious reform of Vladimir

Consequences of accepting Christianity

Civilizational meaning

The civilizational significance of the baptism of Rus' is difficult to overestimate. The famous philologist V.N. Toporov, assessing the significance of the adoption of Christianity for Russian civilization, writes:

“These two events, which played an exceptional role in the history of these countries and predetermined their place in history for many centuries, should also be regarded as events of a universal nature... The adoption of Christianity in Rus' not only introduced the most extensive and most distant part of the already Christian world single space- Eastern Europe, but thereby in the historically near future opened up a new huge world, which was to be Christianized with the help of Russian Christians, “workers of the eleventh hour”... And whatever the subsequent fate of Christianity in Eastern Europe, its legacy became irrevocable integral part spiritual culture here too, perhaps especially here.”

Political consequences

The Baptism of Rus' occurred before the final split of the Western and Eastern churches, but at a time when it had already fully matured and received its expression both in the doctrine and in the relationship between the church and secular authorities.

In the Byzantine church-state legal consciousness, the Emperor (Basileus) was conceived as the Guardian and Supreme Defender of Orthodoxy (epistimonarch), and, consequently, the single autocrat (autocrat) of all Orthodox peoples. The rulers of other Christian nations (states) received from him the titles of archons, princes, and stewards. Thus, having been baptized by the Romans (Byzantines), Vladimir included Rus' in the orbit of Byzantine statehood.

Thus, the Grand Duke of Kyiv in the 12th century in Constantinople acquired the modest court title of steward. The Kiev metropolis in the Constantinople diptychs occupied a place among the latter: in the oldest of them - 61st, and in the later one, compiled under Andronikos II Palaiologos (1306-1328) - 77th.

Metropolitan Platon (Levshin) at the beginning of the 19th century saw special significance in the adoption of Christianity from Constantinople (and not Rome): “Russia is obliged to send great thanksgiving to the Chief Shepherd Christ, who did not embrace her with the darkness of the West, that is, that she was not subjected to the yoke of the Western Roman Church , where already at this time, due to many superstitions and the appropriation of unlimited power by the Popes, and according to the spirit in everything worldly, and not the Gospel, everything was almost transformed. The Lord freed us from these snares; although the West, through the Antichrist’s efforts, tried in every possible way to subjugate us, as later this will be more visible.”

Cultural implications

The adoption of Christianity contributed to the development of architecture and painting in its medieval forms, and the penetration of Byzantine culture as the heir of the ancient tradition. The spread of Cyrillic writing and the book tradition was especially important: it was after the baptism of Rus' that the first monuments of ancient Russian written culture arose.

The adoption of Christianity as the state religion inevitably entailed the liquidation of pagan cults, which had previously enjoyed the patronage of the grand duke.

The clergy condemned pagan rituals and festivals (some of them were preserved for a long time due to the fact that some researchers qualify it as religious syncretism or dual faith). Religious buildings - idols, temples - were destroyed.

It is interesting that, judging by the sources, the pagan spiritual elite was subjected to repression only if it initiated unrest, uprisings or separatism. According to some researchers, relying on the Tale of Bygone Years, the “revolt of the Magi” in Vladimir-Suzdal Rus' in 1024 (as well as in 1071) was accompanied by actions and murders that were of a ritual nature. Yaroslav the Wise “cruelly dealt with the Magi, establishing order in the tributary areas”; in the 1070s in Novgorod, the sorcerer was killed by the squad of Prince Gleb (“it was a religious and everyday conflict intertwined with the struggle against the power of Kyiv”). (See Suzdal uprising of 1024)

It is believed that the beginning of the year after the adoption of Christianity in Kyiv began to be counted from March 1, and not from the new moon after the vernal equinox, as before.

In church historiography (Church history)

In the monthly calendar of the Russian Church there has never been and is not a holiday (memory) in honor of the events of 988-989. Until early XIX V. in Russia there was no history of the Russian Church as a scientific branch or academic discipline: the first systematic work was the “Brief Church Russian History"Metropolitan of Moscow Platon (Levshin) (M., 1805 in 2 parts). Church historian of the early 21st century V. I. Petrushko wrote:

Russian church historical literature of the 19th and early 20th centuries usually considered the history of Christianity in Russia and the Russian Church starting from the 1st century, linking it with the activities of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Thus, one of the most authoritative church historians of the late 19th century, E. E. Golubinsky, designated the first chapter of his fundamental study “History of the Russian Church” as “Christianity in Rus' before St. Vladimir."

The most authoritative Russian church historian, Metropolitan Macarius (Bulgakov), devotes the first 2 parts of his main work to the history of Christianity in Russia before 988. To denote what happened in Kiev at the end of the 10th century, various terms were used (that is, there was no established, clichéd terminology): “the general baptism of the Russian land under St. Vladimir”, “the conversion of Prince Vladimir”, “the final establishment of the Orthodox Church in Russia under Saint Vladimir and Yaroslav." Prince Vladimir himself was usually called the “enlightener,” as he is called in the akathist to him compiled at the end of the 19th century.

The official publication of the Moscow Patriarchate wrote in 1971: “According to legend, the rays of the Christian faith illuminated the borders of Russia already in the first decades of Christianity. This legend connects the beginning of the Christianization of Rus' with the name of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, who was on the Kyiv mountains<…>In 954, Princess Olga of Kiev was baptized. All this prepared the greatest events in the history of the Russian people - the baptism of Prince Vladimir and the subsequent baptism of Rus' in 989.” The indication of the year 989 (and not 988) was consistent with the prevailing point of view in Soviet historical science at that time that the event took place after 988.

However, in the Orthodox church calendar“For 1983, when preparations began for the celebration of the “1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus',” the year 988 was indicated, and the event was given the significance of the beginning of the process: “The baptism of the Kievans in 988 marked the beginning of the establishment of Christianity throughout the Russian land.”

The legally official Civil Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on May 30, 1991 (later ones were not published), stated: “The Russian Orthodox Church traces its historical existence to the Baptism of Rus', which took place in 988 in Kiev under the Grand Duke Vladimir.”

There were several points of view on the introduction of Christianity as an official religion in Soviet (until 1985) historical science, from negative to generally (with reservations) positive.

Thus, in the book The Church and the Idea of ​​Autocracy in Russia, published in 1930, the following is said about the baptism of Rus':

“Orthodoxy, brought to us from Byzantium, broke and ruined the violent pagan spirit wild freedom-loving Ross, kept the people in ignorance for centuries, was a damper in Russian public life of true enlightenment, killed the poetic creativity of the people, drowned out the sounds of living song, freedom-loving impulses for class liberation. Drunkenness and sycophancy themselves, the ancient Russian clergy accustomed the people to drunkenness and sycophancy before the ruling classes, and with their spiritual booze - sermons and abundant church literature - they finally created the ground for the complete enslavement of the working people in the power of the prince, the boyar and the cruel princely official - the tiun , who carried out judgment and reprisals against the oppressed masses.”

“A Manual on the History of the USSR for Preparatory Departments of Universities,” published in 1979, calls the introduction of Christianity “the second religious reform” of Vladimir I and gives a different assessment: “<…>The adoption of Christianity strengthened state power and territorial unity of the Old Russian state. It had a big international significance, which consisted in the fact that Rus', having rejected “primitive” paganism, was now becoming equal to other Christian peoples<…>The adoption of Christianity played a big role in the development of Russian culture.”

Anniversary celebrations

For the first time, the anniversary of the event was officially celebrated in the Russian Empire in 1888. The “Chronicle of Church Events” by Bishop Arseny (Ivashchenko) mentions the opening on July 15 of that year of charitable institutions for the shelter of the old and crippled. The center of the celebrations was Kyiv; Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod K.P. Pobedonostsev was present.

The 950th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus was celebrated in Russia abroad.

The 1000th anniversary of baptism was also celebrated in the USSR as an internal church anniversary; The main celebrations took place in Moscow on June 12, 1988 in the Danilov Monastery.

The 1020th anniversary was celebrated in Kyiv from July 10 to July 19, 2008 at church and state levels; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II took part in the celebrations (since 2008, the “Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus - Ukraine” was declared public holiday Ukraine). The anniversary was also celebrated on October 23 - 25, 2008 in Belarus; The celebrations were led by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow.