Saint Volodymyr the Great
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| Saint Volodymyr the Great | |
| Feast Day | July 15 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Ukraine; Russia; baptisms; converts |
| Birthplace | Budiatyn (near Kyiv), Kievan Rus' |
| Death Place | Berestove (near Kyiv), Kievan Rus' |
| Cause of Death | natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Lavrska St, 15, Kyiv, Ukraine |
Saint Volodymyr the Great (Old East Slavic: Владимѣръ Свѧтославичь; c. 958 – 15 July 1015), also known as Vladimir the Great or Saint Vladimir, was Grand Prince of Kyiv from 980 to 1015 and the ruler who officially adopted Christianity as the state religion of Kievan Rusʼ in 988, earning him the title “Equal-to-the-Apostles.”[1] Born the illegitimate son of Prince Sviatoslav I and Malusha, he seized power in 980 after civil war with his brothers, initially reigning as a pagan ruler who expanded Rusʼ territory and consolidated power. According to the Primary Chronicle and hagiographic tradition, after examining world religions and influenced by his grandmother Saint Olga and Byzantine diplomacy, Volodymyr accepted baptism in Chersonesos (Crimea) c. 987–988, married Byzantine princess Anna Porphyrogenita, and ordered the mass baptism of Kyiv’s inhabitants in the Dnipro River in 988.[2]
Venerated from the 11th century as Equal-to-the-Apostles, Volodymyr was canonized by the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches without formal process; his feast is 15 July. Patron of Ukraine, Russia, baptisms, and converts, he is co-patron (with Saint Olga) of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church.
Biography
Birth
Saint Volodymyr was born c. 958, illegitimate son of Sviatoslav I of Kyiv and Malusha.
Early Life
Raised in paganism, participated in his father’s campaigns.
Occupation
Grand Prince of Kyiv 980–1015.
Vocation
Volodymyr’s vocation culminated in the Christianization of Kievan Rusʼ in 988.
Death
Saint Volodymyr died peacefully on 15 July 1015 at Berestove near Kyiv.[3]
Saint Volodymyr the Great met his end peacefully in old age.
Significant events
- Seized Kyiv throne, 980.
- Baptized in Chersonesos, 987–988.
- Mass baptism of Kyiv, 988.
- Founded Church of the Tithes, 989–996.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Berestove (near Kyiv), Kievan Rus'
Notable location: First stone church of Rus' (Church of the Tithes, Kyiv, Ukraine)
Notable location: Crowning and baptism site (traditional) (Saint Sophia Cathedral, Volodymyrska St, 24, Kyiv, Ukraine)
Notable location: Burial site (Desiatynna Church Archaeological Site, Volodymyrska St, Kyiv, Ukraine)
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Shrines
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Canonization
Canonized by ancient cultus in the 11th–13th centuries.
Miracles
Traditions include healings at tomb and preservation of relics.
Patronage
Saint Volodymyr is patron of Ukraine, Russia, baptisms, and converts.
Feast day
July 15
Veneration
Saint Volodymyr is venerated on 15 July with national celebrations in Ukraine.
External links
References
- ↑ "Saint Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/15/102036-saint-vladimir-equal-to-the-apostles-and-enlightener-of-the-rus.
- ↑ "St. Vladimir". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=771.
- ↑ "Saint Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/15/102036-saint-vladimir-equal-to-the-apostles-and-enlightener-of-the-rus.