Baptism of Russia

Undoubtedly, one of the events that determined the development of our country for years and even millennia ahead is the Baptism of Rus. Despite the fact that in the history of this event was fixed a certain date, 988 g, in fact, baptized Rus very, very long.

Since ancient times, isolated cases of conversion of the Slavs to the Christian faith are known. Princess Olga, among others, was baptized . True, historians are arguing about the reasons for her act. Someone says that she believed in one Lord, others believe that this act had a political background. There is even a beautiful legend, according to which Olga, who loved her husband, refused to marry him after his death. And this did not cause any special problems, until the emperor Constantine rushed to her . It was difficult to refuse such a groom because of possible political consequences. And Olga agreed. And just as the emperor was Orthodox, for a marriage with him, Olga had to be baptized, and she asked him to become her godfather. When, after the rite of baptism, Constantine demanded to name the date of the wedding. Olga answered that her father can not become the husband of her daughter and went to Kiev. Of course, this is just a legend, which has nothing to do with real facts. The baptism of Olga was one of the first steps that brought the Baptism of Rus closer.

But her son, Svyatoslav, did not support the Christian religion. He preferred to remain faithful to the faith of his ancestors. As however, Olga's grandson, Vladimir. Initially, he was also an ardent fan of polytheism. This did not prevent him from baptizing himself and baptizing the whole of Kiev in 988, and this very moment entered the textbooks as the Baptism of Rus.

It is now difficult to say whether Vladimir really believed, or whether it was entirely a political act. However, the enormous influence of the political situation on his decision can not be refuted in any case. His mind was ruled by the idea of rallying the Russian people, seriously interfered with the disunity of religious beliefs, because in the territory of Kievan Rus inhabited a multitude of tribes, each with their own gods.

The first attempt at unification was undertaken under the aegis of paganism. Near Kiev, on the orders of Vladimir, a temple was erected, where five idols were established, five different Slavic gods. Thus, he wanted to create a single pantheon of gods, which could become the core of tribal grouping. However, his expectations were not justified.

Then he began to look for another method. Being confident that an adequate result will be given only by a religious association, he began to study other beliefs and cults. It is well known that he actively communicated on these topics not only with Byzantium. He also considered Islam, Catholicism, and even contacts with the Khazar Khaganate as a possible option . However, he opted for Orthodoxy in the end, thus approximating the Baptism of Rus. The reasons for this decision are quite understandable.

First of all, Byzantium was Russia's most desired ally. In addition, it was at this time that Basil II, the Emperor of Byzantium, sought allies against his rival claiming the throne. And he tried to enlist the support of Vladimir and Rusich, offering Vladimir a substitute for marriage with his sister, Princess Anna. The advantages of this marriage for the Russian prince are obvious and he agreed to help the emperor, and also to receive baptism, since the pagan could not marry an Orthodox.

However, after the Russian prince fulfilled his part of the agreement, Vasily began to drag out time, as in fact such a kinship was not so good for him. Vladimir had to achieve what was promised to him. To do this, he captured the town of Korsun (now Chersonese) and offered it to the emperor as a ransom for the bride. The marriage was concluded.

It was after this that the Baptism of Kievan Rus was held. Of course, exponentially driving all the population of Kiev into the river and throwing into it the idols themselves, they did not solve all the problems connected with the adoption of the new faith. Many people for a long time resisted his decision. It was especially negative in Novgorod, where Vladimir initially reigned. He was considered an apostate and could not forgive the betrayal of his father's faith.

Violent measures the prince did not want to apply, he preferred to arrange open lunches and charitable events, under the auspices of the church. However, it was impossible to completely dispense with the forcible planting of faith. In many places, baptism was fire and sword.

The baptism of Rus had colossal consequences, it was this that made it possible to make a huge step forward in the cultural and social development of the state.