Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, Enlightener of Rus — July 15 / July 28 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 15 according to the Julian Calendar (July 28 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, Enlightener of Rus.

The Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (baptized Basil) was the grandson of the blessed Princess Olga (commemorated July 11) and the younger son of the Kiev prince Sviatoslav. His mother Malusha — a captive daughter of a Drevlian prince — served as a housekeeper before her marriage. After his father’s death, Vladimir became ruler of Novgorod.

In the ensuing fratricidal conflict among Sviatoslav’s sons, Vladimir emerged victorious and became the Grand Prince of Kiev around 980. For some years he ruled as a pagan, restoring pagan temples and living in ways contrary to the Gospel.

But God’s grace was working in him. Delegations came to Vladimir from various faiths — Muslim Bulgars, Roman Catholic Germans, Jewish Khazars, and finally Greek Orthodox missionaries. When Vladimir’s envoys returned from Constantinople and described the divine liturgy in the Hagia Sophia, saying ‘we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth,’ Vladimir’s heart was moved.

Around the year 988, Vladimir captured the Byzantine city of Cherson (Kherson) in Crimea. He demanded in marriage the Byzantine princess Anna, sister of the emperors Basil II and Constantine. The emperors agreed on the condition that Vladimir accept Christian baptism. Vladimir agreed, was baptized with the name Basil, and married Princess Anna.

Returning to Kiev, Vladimir ordered the overthrow of all pagan idols — the chief idol Perun was dragged through the streets and thrown into the Dnieper — and commanded the mass baptism of the people of Kiev in the Dnieper River. This event in 988 is celebrated as the Baptism of Rus, the founding moment of Eastern Christian civilization in the lands of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

Vladimir then devoted himself entirely to building up the Church. He erected churches throughout his realm, established schools, provided for the poor and sick, released prisoners, and governed his people with justice and mercy. He sent out missionaries and supported the growth of monasticism.

The holy Prince Vladimir reposed in the Lord on July 15, 1015 (Julian Calendar). He is venerated as Equal-to-the-Apostles because, like the Apostles, he brought an entire nation to Christ. The Church has glorified him among the saints, and he is honored as the Baptizer of Rus and the enlightener of the Slavic peoples.