Saint Vladimir the Great

Saint Vladimir the Great (c. 958–1015) was the Grand Prince of Kiev who brought Christianity to Kievan Rus. After a dramatic conversion, he was baptized in 988 and led his people into the Christian faith, ordering the mass baptism of the citizens of Kiev in the Dnieper River. Known as the Enlightener of Rus, he founded churches, established schools, and transformed his realm from paganism to Orthodox Christianity. His grandmother, Saint Olga, had planted the seeds of faith, and Vladimir's baptism brought them to full flower. Commemorated on July 15th (Old Style) / July 28th (New Style), he is revered as an equal-to-the-apostles saint who forever changed the spiritual destiny of the Slavic peoples. Explore our handcrafted embroidered icons and prayer cards honoring this great enlightener and saint.