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On Thursday, July 28, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus - Ukraine, as well as the Day of Volodymyr the Great. This year, our country celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood for the first time.
This day is officially called the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus - Ukraine. It was established by decree of the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko on July 25, 2008.
This date was not chosen by chance. According to legend, it was on this day in 988 that Prince Vladimir accepted the new faith and returned to Kyiv to baptize the people of Russia. By the way, the exact date of baptism has not been established, it was noted only probably. This is August 14 (old style) 988.
The history of the baptism of Kievan Rus
At that time, the conversion to the Christian faith was the usual practice of Byzantium’s behavior with warlike nomads. It was decided to apply a similar practice to Kievan Rus. To this end, Patriarch Photius I of Constantinople sent ambassadors to Kyiv.
Sources claim that at this time the princes Askold and Dir were baptized with the boyars. However, other sources testify that the first baptism in Russia took place under Vasily I and Patriarch Ignatius.
So, the first ruler of Kievan Rus, who adopted Christianity, was the grandmother of Vladimir the Great, Princess Olga. It is also believed that Vladimir decided to baptize Russia for political reasons, thereby seeking to unite the warring tribes and strengthen power.
The Tale of Bygone Years mentions a “test of faith” that took place before baptism. The Kyiv prince was offered to accept Islam and Judaism, but settled on Christianity. Vladimir was baptized in Chersonese and took the name Vasily. He also married the Byzantine princess Anna.
In turn, the mass baptism of the inhabitants of Russia took place in the Dnieper. At the same time, not everyone supported him. Those who did not agree had to be persuaded to change their faith, sometimes this was done with the help of weapons.
Day of Ukrainian statehood
On Thursday, July 28, 2022, Ukraine celebrates for the first time a new public holiday - the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced its beginning on August 24, 2021, on the day of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
Speaking on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Zelensky signed a decree “On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood” live. This document starts tradition to celebrate a new holiday every year on July 28 - the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus - Ukraine.
The presidential decree says that the history of Ukrainian statehood is rooted “from the time of the founding of the city of Kyiv and the heyday of the state during the time of Prince Vladimir the Great of Kyiv.” It was he who, having adopted Christianity in 988, “testified to the civilizational choice of Kievan Rus.”
Ukraine considers the heirs of the Kyiv state of those times:
- Galicia-Volyn principality,
- Ukrainian Cossack State,
- Ukrainian People’s Republic,
- West Ukrainian People’s Republic,
- Ukrainian State,
- Carpathian Ukraine
- modern independent Ukraine.
The decree also notes that Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, guided by the Act of Declaration of Independence of August 24, 1991, which was approved on December 1, 1991 by a popular vote.
Source: PRM
