the weakness of his spirit just as apostle Paul, and prepared for the great sacrament of revival (baptism). When the princess came to him, she advised him to be baptized as soon as possible. Vladimir was baptized under the name of Basil in the year 988. Coming out of the laver he saw the light with his eyes and his heart: “Now I know the true God”.





Vladimir returned to Kiev with the Korsun and Greek priests and first of all he asked his twelve sons to be baptised. They did as he asked, and many of the boyars followed suit. Vladimir began to destroy pagan idols. The main of them – Perun – was cursed and drown in the river Dnepr. At the same time the priests gatheredstroke of dawn the idol of Perun was thrown it into the river Volkhov, and then the locals were baptized. Then he moved on to the city of Rostov, and there many people were baptized and a cathedral was build. Paganism remained strong for many years in Rostov, but eventually was rooted out. In the year 992 Christianity was spread over the region of Suzdal, when Saint Vladimir came here with two bishops. People there were happy to accept the new faith.



After accepting Christianity Vladimir reigned for another 28 years, and was the Prince of Kiev for 33 years. He passed away on July 15 in the year 1015 in Berestovo village. The Prince’s body was placed into the marble reliquary which was buried under the Church of