Equal-to-the-Apostle Prince Volodymyr

The Orthodox Church celebrates July 28 every year the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr, who baptized Kyivan Rus. Simultaneously with the religious one, the Ukrainian people also celebrate a national holiday — the Day of the Baptism of Russia (initiated in 2008). The date of the celebration was chosen in honor of the date of death of Prince Volodymyr the Baptist — July 15 (according to the new style — July 28), 1015.

Volodymyr Svyatoslavovych, son of Prince Svyatoslav Igorovych, was born around 960 in Kyiv. Having ascended the throne in 979, already in 988 the Grand Duke accepted the Christian faith in Chersonese and baptized Rus.

Thanks to the baptism of the state, the Eastern Orthodox civilization was formed, and Kyiv received the status of the center of the clergy. In addition, the decisive step of Volodymyr the Great brought Kievan Rus closer to Europe, which was already Christian. In this way, the possibility of developing and establishing foreign political relations opened up for the state.