Saint Vladimir

Saint Vladimir (circa 956-1015), grand duke of Kyiv, whose baptism made Orthodox Christianity the official religion of Kievan Rus. Born in Kyiv, Vladimir was a pagan at the beginning of his reign, which was at first devoted to consolidating his territories into a unified Kievan state. In exchange for helping the Byzantine emperor Basil II suppress a rebellion, Vladimir was allowed to marry the emperor's sister, Anne, at which time (988) he accepted Christianity. Allied to Byzantium by religious and family ties, Vladimir introduced Byzantine civilization into Kievan Rus by building churches, suppressing paganism, and making social reforms. Nonetheless, he remained open to Western influences, which are reflected in his legislation.