The 1025th anniversary of the Christianization of Rus

Deacon Alexander Volkov, the head of the press-service of the Patriarch of Moscow and all-Russia, spoke about festive arrangements devoted to the 1025th anniversary of Christianization of Rus’. Numerous events lasting from the 24th to 29th of July in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus will confirm the unity of modern Orthodoxy. Moreover, it will be a message from world Orthodoxy to states and young people. This year the festive events will be attended by heads and representatives of all regional Orthodox churches. The Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioquia, Jerusalem, Georgia, Serbia, and Bulgaria have confirmed their participation, as well as the heads of the Cypriot, Polish, and American Churches. The official representatives of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Roman, Greek, Alban Churches and the Church of the Czech Territories and Slovakia are expected.

The Christianization of Rus is one of the most important cultural events in the history of ancient Russia. It marked the end of the pagan period and the beginning of the Christian history of Russia. The Christianization of Russia occurred in the late 10th century, due to the efforts of Prince Vladimir, during the adoption of Christianity as the state religion. In the late summer of 988, Prince Vladimir of Kiev gathered the city dwellers on the banks of the Dnieper River and they were baptised in its waters by the Byzantine priests. This event became known as the Christianization of Russia, becoming the start of a long process of adopting Christianity in the Russian lands.