Cover Page

Statesman, soldier, leader, and ultimately an extraordinary missionary, Vladimir of Russia has been referred to by historians as Prince Vladimir, but Christianity knows him as a saint. It was his introduction of Christianity to a nation that placed him in the hallowed company of saints.

He was the son of Snyatoslav I, born in Kiev in 972. After the death of his father, Vladimir was forced into exile by powerful enemies. Taking refuge in Scandinavia, he secretly organized an army. With daring and military skill, he put his enemies to flight and firmly established himself as prince of Russia.

Vladimir saw the need for a common religion among his people that could promise unification. He sent emissaries to Constantinople, Germany and the Muslim countries with the order to report back to him what they observed. They were not impressed until they went to Constantinople where they witnessed the festive ritual of the Orthodox Church. They wrote back to Vladimir, “We no longer knew whether we were in Heaven or on earth, for such beauty we know not how to tell of it.”

Christianity transformed Vladimir from a pagan to God’s glorious love and he was baptized. He then was determined to bring the word of Christ into the hearts of all the people of his country, and established churches, schools, seminaries, convents, and monasteries. Prince Vladimir died in 1015 and was proclaimed a saint of the Church and accorded the rare title of Isapostolos, “Equal to the Apostles.”

Troparion - Tone 4

Holy Prince Vladimir,
you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the priceless pearl.
He appointed you to be another Paul,
washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness.
We celebrate your memory,
asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.