

Prince Vladimir was the son of Svyatoslav and Drevlyan princess Malusha. He was born in the year 963. He was raised by his pagan uncle Dobrynya. In the year 972, Vladimir began to reign in Novgorod. In 980 in the midst of war between the brothers, Vladimir went to war against Kiev, where his elder brother Yaropolk was reigning. Having defeated his brother, Vladimir began to rule in Kiev as well. He extended his power limits from the Baltic Sea on the North to the river Boog on the South. He had five wives and numerous concubines. On the Kiev Mountains he set up the idols, to which people were sacrificed. At that time Varangians Feodor and John suffered for Christ. The circumstances of their death made astrong impression on Vladimir and he started to doubt his pagan faith. His search for truth had begun.





Preachers from different countries came to Kiev by invitation of Prince Vladimir: ambassadors from Muslim-Bulgarians, living near the Volga river, German-Latins, Hebrews and Greeks. The Prince questioned them all about their faith and everyone offered him his own belief. But an Orthodox Greek representative made the strongest impression on Vladimir by showing him a painting of The Last Judgement at the end of his visit. With the boyar’s advice, Vladimir sent ten wise men to test whose faith is better. When these Russian ambassadors arrived in Constantinople, the magnificence of the Hagia Sofia Church, the harmonious singing of court chanters and Patriarchal service’s solemnity touched them deeply: “We didn’t know –