Feast Day: July 15th
The Life of Saint Vladimir: Upon finding out that other faiths existed beyond his own paganism, he decided to send his envoys out into the world to find out what was true faith on earth. His envoys met with Muslims, but felt that there was no joy among them, and that their faith was very mechanical. The envoys also met with Jews and Catholics, but were still unimpressed. Everything changed, however, when the envoys arrived in Constantinople. Upon attending Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia, the envoys said, “We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth.” Taking the word of his envoys, Saint Vladimir had himself and his nation Baptized into the Orthodox Christian Church. Saint Vladimir changed completely after his Baptism. He destroyed all the pagan statues that stood in Kievan Rus’, and replaced them with Churches…
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Prayers
Troparion – Tone 4: Holy Prince Vladimir, you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls. By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the Priceless Pearl. He appointed you to be another Paul, washing away in Baptism your physical and Spiritual blindness. We celebrate your Memory, asking you to Pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your Spiritual children.
Kontakion – Tone 8: Most glorious Vladimir, in your old age you imitated the great Apostle Paul: He abandoned childish things, while you forsook the idolatry of your youth. Together with him you reached the fullness of Divine Wisdom: You were adorned with the purity of Holy Baptism. Now as you stand before Christ Our Saviour, Pray that all Orthodox Christians may be saved.
Saint Olga Princess of Russia is the Grandmother of Saint Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev. She raised him until her Blessed Repose when he was six years old. She is also the Great-Grandmother of Saint Vladimir’s sons, Saint Boris and Saint Gleb the Passion-Bearers.
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Saint Nestor the Chronicler wrote: “In those years there was a Prince named Vladimir, who ruled the Russian land. He was righteous and merciful to the poor, to orphans, and to widows, but he was a pagan. God intervened and made him a Christian, just like Saint Eustathios Plakidas. So Prince Vladimir became a Christian, receiving the name Basil at his Baptism.”
