In truth, baptizing Slavs started yet disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.According to legend, the Apostle Andrew, arrived by boat to the Danube Delta.In honor of this event in Vilkovo (Odessa region) built.From the Danube floodplains and northeast Andrew began his pastoral ministry.He baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, letting go of sins.So among the vast pagan population began to emerge Christian communities.They were so numerous, that chronicles simply do not mention them.Baptism of Russia, value can not be overestimated, there was almost a thousand years after the Apostle Andrew.
As it was the legend
historic written source «Tale of Bygone Years" mentions that the Kiev Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovych hesitated a long time, some take faith.Volga Bulgars offered Islam Khazars - Judaism and the Roman legate of Pope - Catholicism.All these religions have been rejected by the prince.Preference Kiev lord gave Greek model of Christianity.Therefore, the value of the baptism of Rus
As it was in reality
Having driven without further ado his people into the waters of the Dnieper, Kiev Prince Vladimir offered this prayer: "Dear God, the Creator of heaven and earth!Look down on these new faithful and strengthen their faith right.And help me, Lord, against the enemy-foe.On Thee hoping, but will run all the machinations of it! ".Under the prince meant foe Ward Fok.That is to suppress the rebellion of the last Byzantine rulers Constantine VIII and Basil II Porphyry sought military allies.Vladimir also put forward a condition of their participation in the armed adventure: the hand of the princess Anna.It was a terrible humiliation for Caesars, but he was nowhere to go.Their requirement was to counter the adoption of Christianity by Vladimir and baptism of Rus.Meaning the act at the time it was purely political.
When it happened
In "Tale of Bygone Years" contains the exact date - 6496 year of the Lord of Creation.Translated into modern calculus this 988 th year.This event is displayed in the Byzantine chronicles.A year earlier, the Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas II Hrisoverg sent to Kiev squad clergy entrusted with the mission - the baptism of Rus.Value - the adoption of Christianity - at that time was forced into the background.On the agenda was the question of entry into the war against Kiev "adversary" Fauci.Therefore the prince, and visiting clergy did not spend unnecessary effort to educate.Christianity for Russian folk was launched as a government decree "from above".
historical significance of the baptism of Rus
Such haste in the act of faith and, most importantly, the imposition of alien cult could not be seen by people as positive.Pagan gods, the cult of the ancestors, the spirits of nature - all this lived in the consciousness of the people.The overthrow and destruction of idols temples seen as a tragedy.The wooden statue of Perun on the orders of the Greek clergy dropped into the Dnieper, and the people ran along the shore, shouting: "Vydubay" (floats).Where idol washed ashore, stands Vydubychi district.Pagan beliefs were almost ineradicable.And soon Orthodox priests come to terms with this, and even topped it poluhristianstvo.Christening of the value was when an amazing phenomenon - dual faith.Having dogma and theology of Christianity, people wove Slavic pagan rites during all religious holidays.
