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    STUDIA THEOLOGIA%20ORTHODOXA - Issue no. 1-2 / 2001  
         
  Article:   PENETRATION OF CHRISTIANITY IN RUSSIA, AN OUTCOME OF THE BYZANTINE MISSION.

Authors:  CRISTIAN ŞTEFAN. 		 
       
         
  Abstract:  Penetration of Christianity in Russia, an outcome of the Byzantine mission. The historic birth year of the Russian Church is 988. In that year Russian prince Vladimir brought Christianity to his people from Byzantium, and had them baptized in the river Dnieper, at the foot of the hills of Kiev, his capital. The christening of the Russian people is described in Russia’s earliest historic document: this is the "Russian primary chronicle", also known as the "The Tale of Years of Time". Before the 988 year, in the land of Russ there were already many Christian elements. It was only after Igor’s death that his widow Olga embraced Christianity. She was the first Russian ruler to be officially baptized. Olga died without seeing Russia brought into the fold. It was her grandson, Vladimir, who baptized his people in 988. Vladimir is a historic and at the same time, a semi legendary figure. Before embracing Christianity, he was a typically pagan ruler, whose court in Kiev was known for its splendour and revelry. But Prince Vladimir was not satisfied with his pagan environment. Following Olga’s example he wanted to bring to Kiev higher religious and moral principles. Finally, the prince received the envoy of the Byzantine Church: he was a "philosopher" who presented a complete picture of salvation as founded on Christian dogma, Scripture and tradition.  
         
     
         
         
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