There were several reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia. One of the main factors that prompted her to become more civilized and abandon paganism was Vladimir's desire to make Russia a single state and unite the peoples living in it. At that time, the creation of a strong-minded principality was necessary. Paganism did not allow the tribes to unite and caused a number of conflicts between them. At the same time, the power of the prince was insignificant. To unite the people and strengthen his own significance, Prince Vladimir achieved the adoption of Christianity.
The reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia were different. There was a need for rapprochement with other countries, in particular with Europe. In those days, paganism was not welcomed by many countries that adopted Christianity. Therefore, it was the cause of alienation and hostility towards the Russian state. These were the international reasons for the adoption of Christianity by Russia.
We must not forget about the possible personal motives of Prince Vladimir. He did not want to live in sin, and tried to free himself from his pagan lifestyle. During the entire period of his reign, he did enough things that did not personify him from his best side. He needed purification, and it could be achieved through the adoption of Christianity.
The reasons for the adoption of Christianity followed from the close relations of the Russian state with the Byzantine state. It was connected with Russia by economic and cultural factors. In addition, the Russian state already had a community of Christians, which had appeared long before the beginning of the reign of Prince Vladimir.
SUMMARIZE. 1. Because pagan religion hindered the development of the nascent feudal relations and did not contribute to the unification of Russia, Prince Vladimir decided to unite all Slavic tribes with the help of a single religion - Christianity. 2. To put Russia on a par with the developed Christian states. 3. Strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with Christian countries. THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY: The adoption of Christianity contributed to the rapid, rapid development of the country. Masters invited from Byzantium build churches, decorate them with frescoes, mosaics, icons. Russian masters learn from them. Agriculture is changing. Gardening appears. The clergy arriving from Byzantium prepares personnel for the church and, as a result, knowledge and literacy is spread. Schools are being organized. Young people are sent to study abroad. Chronicle is introduced. Russia begins to mint gold coin... Ancient Russia is gradually becoming a state of a new, high culture. Trade relations with Christian countries are being strengthened.
The adoption of Christianity and its significance for Russia.
The bearing element of any culture is religion. It is not just a belief in the supernatural or a ritual system. This is a way of life, a certain system of ideas, beliefs, ideas about a person, his place in the world. Russia during the time of Vladimir became a state, outgrew pagan beliefs, was surrounded by peoples with their own written language, developed religions. She strove to enter this world. The adoption of Christianity from Byzantium was prepared by the entire previous history of Russia.
Information about the preaching of Christianity in the Dnieper region dates back to the 1st century AD. NS. and in legends they are associated with the name of Andrew the First-Called. The apostle allegedly put a cross on the site of the future Kiev, predicting that a "great city" would arise here. The sources contain information about the baptism of Princess Olga, about the existence of Christian churches during her reign. Thus, the preaching of Christianity has existed for a long time, although Christianity has not yet become the dominant religion. Russia officially adopted Christianity in 988, in the act of the famous baptism of the inhabitants of Kiev on the Dnieper. The change of faith in Russia took place without foreign interference. This was her internal affair. She made her choice herself. Most of its neighbors converted to Christianity from the hands of missionaries and crusaders.
1. Reasons for the baptism of Rus
With the unification of the Slavs under the rule of Kiev, the strengthening of the power of the prince required the main god. As the prince was the only ruler on earth, so the supreme god was supposed to be the only ruler in heaven. This made it necessary to replace the scattered pagan cults with a single state religion. This was main reason religious reform. The second reason was the desire to strengthen paganism in the face of the growing influence of Christianity.
The first religious reform was carried out in 980. By order of Vladimir, the idols of six deities included in the state pantheon were installed in Kiev. These deities were:
Hora (sun horse)
Simargl (meaning unknown)
Among these six, the main one was the thunder god Perun, the patron saint of the squad. His idol stood out with a silver head with a golden mustache.
The first religious reform failed. New ideas about the old gods were not assimilated by the population. In addition, paganism could not resist the growing influence of monotheism (monotheism), which was professed by the neighboring powers: Byzantium, Khazar Kaganate, Volga Bulgaria. It was contacts with neighboring peoples that led to the penetration of monotheistic ideas into the Slavic environment. The apparent failure of an attempt to reform the old Slavic faith prompted Prince Vladimir to turn to a fundamentally new religion.
2. Choice of faith
Under Vladimir Svyatoslavich in 980, an attempt was made to adapt pagan beliefs to new conditions. Behind the terem courtyard of the prince in Kiev, wooden idols of the gods most revered by various tribes, headed by the tribal god of the glades, Perun, are erected. But this "pagan reform" was not accepted by the people. Unlike legal norms, religions are not created by law. At one time, something similar to the reform of the Kiev prince was also undertaken in the Roman Empire, when, along with the worship of the Italic gods, they tried to introduce the cult of the deities of the newly annexed states. This attempt failed completely.
If it turned out to be impossible to reform paganism, it remained to adopt a religion from the neighbors, and one that would meet the needs of a class society. There were suitable religions in neighboring countries ...
Thus, the legend included in the "Tale of Bygone Years" about how the missionaries came to the prince with the preaching of all the world religions known at that time, reflects the real situation of choice. At the same time, of course, one must remember that all the named concessions already had their adherents in Russia, and Vladimir did not need to listen to preachers of different faiths, he, apparently, already had an idea of their specifics.
Since Kievan Rus maintained the closest relations with Christian countries, the choice of the prince settled on Christianity.
The choice of the eastern branch of Christianity - Orthodoxy - was determined by a number of reasons, internal and external. During this period, the need for the ethno-cultural unification of all lands was formed. Paganism had to give way to a new religion, since it reflected the democratic life of the ancient Slavic society, which was disappearing under the onslaught of nationwide feudalism. The decisive factor in turning to the religious and ideological experience of Byzantium was the traditional political, economic, cultural ties between Kiev and Constantinople. In the system of Byzantine statehood, spiritual power occupied a subordinate position, depended on the emperor. This corresponded to the political aspirations of Prince Vladimir. It was important for him that baptism and the associated borrowing of Byzantine culture did not deprive Russia of its independence. Despite the fact that the Orthodox Church was headed by the Byzantine patriarch and emperor, Russia was a completely sovereign state. This was the goal of Vladimir's reforms, which were aimed at changing the cultural foundations of Kievan Rus. And another moment attracted him. Christianity according to the Orthodox model did not bind theology with linguistic canons. In Catholicism, the service was held on Latin... Kiev defended national worship with emphasis on exaltation Slavic language to the level of the divine. The Byzantine Church allowed religious worship in the national language.
Christianity, borrowed from the Greeks and at the same time not completely separated from the West, ultimately turned out to be neither Byzantine nor Western, but Russian. This Russification of Christian belief and the Church began early and went in two directions. The first is the struggle for their national church at the top. The Greek metropolitans met in Russia with a tendency towards identity. The first Russian saints were exalted for political reasons, not related to faith, contrary to the opinion of the Greek Metropolitan. The second stream came from the people. New faith could not supplant what was part of the people themselves. Along with the Christian faith, which was not strong enough among the people, the cults of the old gods were alive. There was no dual faith, but a new syncretic faith as a result of the Russification of Christianity. Christianity was adopted by the Russians in a peculiar way, like everything that came from outside.
3. Christianization of Ancient Russia
Move. Christianization Ancient Rus proceeded inconsistently. If the Kiev community, submitting to the authority of the princely power, accepted the new faith without a murmur, other regions, for example, Novgorod, had to be baptized with fire and sword. Paganism retained its position for a long time, especially in the minds of people. The Orthodox Church, adapting to the local environment, combined the worship of pagan gods with the cults of saints. So the holiday of Kupala merged with the day of John the Baptist, Perun with the day of Elijah the Prophet. The feast of Shrovetide, purely pagan in origin, has also survived.
After the baptism of Rus, there was a process of fusion of traditional pagan and Orthodox values. For example, to Christ long time were treated not as a single God, showing with his life the way to salvation, but as a local deity, to whom they turned with a request for practical help in earthly affairs. The cult of the Virgin was widespread as the patroness of all living things, close and more understandable to the pagan world outlook.
As a result, there was a synthesis of Orthodoxy and paganism, which led to the formation of the so-called. dual faith, or Russian Orthodoxy. Gradually, the pagan elements were ousted from it, but many of them remained. long time... So, it was customary to give the newborn two names, Christian, available in the calendar, and pagan. It was believed that in this way a person would be provided with the protection of the Christian God and, at the same time, he would be protected by pagan deities. This custom existed not only in the lower strata of society, but also among the nobility, as well as princes. Suffice it to recall that Vladimir I went down in history (and in the calendar) under his pagan name, and not as Basil. Just like Yaroslav the Wise, baptized by Yuri. Vladimir Monomakh in Christianity was called Vasily Andreevich, the first Russian saints Boris and Gleb were baptized as Roman and David, etc.
4. Significance of the adoption of Christianity
The transition to Christianity was of great historical significance and affected all spheres of life. ancient Russian society.
How has the choice of Christianity influenced Russian history and culture? During the X-XIII centuries, there was a complex psychological breakdown of pagan beliefs and the formation of Christian ideas. The process of changing spiritual and moral priorities is always difficult. In Russia, it did not take place without violence. The life-loving optimism of paganism was replaced by a faith that demanded restrictions, strict adherence to moral norms. The adoption of Christianity meant a change in the entire order of life. Now the church has become the center of public life. She preached a new ideology, instilled new value orientations, brought up a new person. Christianity made a person a bearer of a new morality based on a culture of conscience arising from the evangelical commandments. Christianity created a broad basis for the unification of ancient Russian society, the formation of a single people on the basis of common spiritual and moral principles. The border between Rus and Slav has disappeared. All were united by a common spiritual foundation. The humanization of society has taken place. Russia was included in the European Christian world. From that time on, she considers herself a part of this world, striving to play a prominent role in it, always comparing herself with it.
Christianity influenced all aspects of the life of Russia. The adoption of a new religion helped to establish political, commercial, cultural ties with the countries of the Christian world. It contributed to the development of urban culture in a country that was predominantly agricultural in nature. But it is necessary to take into account the specific "suburban" character of Russian cities, where the bulk of the population continued to engage in agricultural production, to a small extent supplemented by handicrafts, and the actual urban culture was concentrated in a narrow circle of secular and church aristocracy. This can explain the superficial, formal-figurative level of Christianization of the Russian bourgeoisie, their ignorance in the elementary religious beliefs, a naive interpretation of the foundations of the doctrine that so surprised the Europeans who visited the country in the Middle Ages and at a later time. The government's reliance on religion as a social-normative institution regulating public life has formed a special type of Russian mass Orthodoxy - formal, ignorant, often synthesized with pagan mysticism.
The Church contributed to the creation of magnificent architecture and art in Russia, the first chronicles and schools appeared, where people from various strata of the population studied. The fact that Christianity was adopted in the Eastern version had other consequences, which manifested themselves in the historical perspective. In Orthodoxy, the idea of progress was expressed weaker than in Western Christianity. In the days of Kievan Rus, this did not yet mattered much. But as the pace of development of Europe accelerated, the orientation of Orthodoxy towards a different understanding of the goals of life had a significant impact. The European type of attitude towards transformative activity was strong in the early stages of history, but it was transformed by Orthodoxy. Russian Orthodoxy guided a person towards spiritual transformations, stimulated the desire for self-improvement, approaching Christian ideals. This contributed to the development of such a phenomenon as spirituality. But at the same time, Orthodoxy did not provide incentives for social and social progress, for transforming the real life of the individual. Orientation towards Byzantium also meant a rejection of the Latin, Greco-Roman heritage. M. Grek warned against translating the works of Western thinkers into Russian. He believed that this could damage true Christianity. Hellenistic literature, which had nothing to do with Christianity at all, was subjected to special blasphemy. But Russia was not completely cut off from the ancient heritage. The influence of Hellenism, secondary, manifested itself through Byzantine culture. The colonies in the Black Sea region left their mark, and there was great interest in ancient philosophy.
For a long time, until the 19th century, Christianity will remain the dominant culture. It will determine the style, manners, way of thinking and feeling. A peculiar relationship between church and state took shape. The state took upon itself the church tasks. The church became an instrument of centralization of the state, created the ideological foundations of autocracy. The organizational features of the church contributed to the cultural isolation of the country. Traditionalism has intensified in Russia. There was no reformation - an alternative to Orthodoxy. Since the period of Muscovy, the cultural lag behind Western Europe.
5. The dark side of the adoption of Christianity
However, apart from great benefit the adoption of Christianity has led to a number of negative manifestations. It was impossible to force people who worship pagan gods from generation to generation to accept a new god without the use of cruel measures.
The princely squads, together with Christian preachers, marched through the Russian lands with fire and sword, destroying the Ancient Russian culture, Ancient Russian Temples, Temples, Sanctuaries and Settlements, killing Russian clergy: Kapenov, Magi, Vedunov and Kudesnikov.
For 12 years of forced Christianization, 9 million Slavs who refused to renounce the Faith of the Ancestors were destroyed, and this despite the fact that the entire population, before the baptism of Rus, was 12 million people.
After 1000 A.D. the destruction of the Slavs-Old Believers did not stop. This is confirmed by the Ancient texts of the Russian Chronicles, which were preserved by the ROC.
"Two Magi rebelled near Yaroslavl ... And they came to Belozero, and there were 300 people with them. At that time, it happened that Yan, the son of Vyshatin, who collects tribute, came from Svyatoslav to collect tribute ... Yan ordered them to be beaten and their beards pulled out.
When they were beaten and torn out with a split beard, Yan asked them: "What do the Gods tell you?" ... They answered: "So the Gods say to us: we will not be alive from you." told "... And seizing them, killed and hung on an oak" (Laurentian Chronicle. PSRL, v.1, v.1, L., 1962).
"Magi appeared in Novgorod, Vedunas, connoisseurs, and many sorceries, indulgences, and signs worked ... The Novgorodians caught them and brought the Magi to the courtyard of the husbands of Prince Yaroslav, and tied the Magi all, and threw them into the fire, and then they all burned down "(Nikon Chronicle vol.10, St. Petersburg. 1862).
Destroyed not only Russian people professing the Vedic Faith or pre-Vedic Ingliism, but also interpreting Christian doctrine in their own way.
It is enough to remember Nikon split in the Russian Christian Church, how many schismatics, Old Believers were burned alive, while a woman, an old man or a child did not watch.
conclusions
Formation of Russian civilization. Christianity was the spiritual foundation of the entire European civilization. In this respect, the choice of Vladimir meant the choice of a civilizational alternative. The adoption of Christianity determined the civilizational choice of Russia, while Orthodoxy largely determined the formation of the Russian civilization itself, which became a kind of Christian European civilization.
Personality and Society. The basis of Christian teaching is the idea of individual salvation achieved through moral self-improvement, an example of which Christ showed, i.e. spiritual cleansing and approaching God, through the suppression of everything carnal, material, considered as a manifestation of devilish forces. In Russia, in the conditions of the preservation of the community and collectivist principles, the idea of personality did not receive proper development, Christianity was perceived as a doctrine indicating the path of salvation for the entire people, or, as the Slavophiles in the 19th century would say, a conciliar personality. As a result, the Western European reading of Christianity, proceeding from the fact that a person's salvation depends on his own will, revealed more opportunity for independence, and, consequently, for the internal freedom of a person, which created the spiritual prerequisites for the formation of a personality and the achievement of external freedom by it. As a result of its activity, a more dynamic development of European countries took place. Orthodoxy, on the other hand, was perceived by the whole society as a single whole, to which each person was obliged to serve, sacrificing his own interests. It also applied more demandingly to man, oriented him not to the external arrangement of the world, but to adaptation to it, patience and the achievement of moral perfection.This led to asceticism, the desire not to adapt the world according to his needs, but to qualitatively transform it, having achieved collective salvation. However, the difficulty of achieving both spiritual perfection, and especially the spiritualization of the world, its salvation, very often led to disappointment and, as a result, a person's falling away from God. In Russian history, these periods were marked by popular riots, crimes and other social disasters. Transitions from one extreme to another, i.e. from striving for the ideal, and then to a sharp rejection of it, determined the cyclical, inversion nature of Russian history.
Church and State. Another difference between the Orthodox and catholic world consisted in different relationships between church and government. In the West, the church competed with the royal power, entered into various agreements with it, which created one of the prerequisites for the formation of a civil society that was basically contractual. The Orthodox Church has historically occupied a subordinate position and not only did not limit, but rather strengthened secular power, proving, for example, its divine origin. As a result, this opened the way for despotism.
Science and Faith. Western Christianity allowed the use of science as a servant of theology in order to know God and his creation. The Eastern Church focused not on the knowledge of the world, but on its understanding, believed that the divine essence is unknowable and one can only approach it through faith. Hence the predominance in the Russian national consciousness of a contemplative-emotional rather than a rational attitude to reality.
Schism is the main feature of the Russian Orthodox civilization. In the future, under the influence of a whole complex of geopolitical, natural, ethnic, socio-economic and historical factors, the differences between Western and Russian civilizations will grow. Alienation will especially intensify during the years of Rus' joining the Asian state of the Golden Horde. Thus, from the very beginning of Russian civilization, its characteristic feature will be a split, that is, a combination of features of Western and Eastern civilizations, with a simultaneous desire to overcome this split, to acquire a certain integrity. The contradictory unity of various civilizational vectors will influence the entire course of Russian history, causing its cyclical, inversion nature.
Literature
1. Karamzin N. M. History of the Russian state in 4 books. Book one. - Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix Publishing House, 2004.
2. Katsva L.A. Istria of Russia from ancient times to the 19th century, M .: "AST" 2000
3. Ionov I.N. Russian civilization and the origins of its crisis. IX beginning of XX centuries. M., Enlightenment, 1994.
4. Nikolsky N. M .. History of the Russian Church. Moscow: Politizdat 1983
5. Radugin A.A. Culturology, M .: Alma mater. 2004
6. Diy Vladimir Pro-Orthodox Russia,
It is considered 988th. But the formation of the only state religion in the Russian lands cannot be considered a one-time act. The history of the coming of Orthodoxy to the Russian land is rich in myths and legends.
Legends about the emergence of Christianity in Russia
One of the versions explaining the reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia, however, is not confirmed by anything, says that the Apostle Andrew himself on the way from Constantinople to Rome, having sailed along the Dnieper to Kiev and Novgorod, preached the religion of Christ in these places.
This legend has found its reflection in many Russian legends. In particular, that Andrey, seeing the hills on which Kiev subsequently grew, prophesied to him a glorious Christian future. Another version claims that the reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia are very subjective, because such a decision was made Kiev prince Vladimir alone, relying on his own political plans and ambitions. In support of this version, there is a legend that the prince sent messengers to all parts of the world to get acquainted with the existing religions and report to him about their advantages and disadvantages. After listening to them, Vladimir gave preference to Orthodoxy.
It's no secret that the 10th century Kievan Rus was powerful feudal state with developed trade and handicrafts. She was known all over the world for her spiritual and material culture. Further development of the state required the consolidation of society, which could not be achieved without the idea of one God uniting the population. In addition, the international reasons for the adoption of Christianity by Russia should not be underestimated.
For the development of relations with Byzantium and the countries of Western Europe, a common ideological platform was required. When listing the reasons for the adoption of Christianity by Kievan Rus, it should be noted that the religion of Christ allowed the state to join the family of European nations that were very developed at that time, who treated the pagans as inferior people. At the same time, it is important to understand that the final split of Christianity into the Western and Orthodox branches occurred somewhat later - in 1054.
Why Orthodoxy?
The choice of Orthodoxy, according to most historians, is also far from accidental. Orthodox Byzantium had closer cultural and trade ties with Kievan Rus than did the Western European states. In addition, the ambitious prince Vladimir was very impressed by the fact that the Byzantine model of Christianity presupposes the subordination of the church to the state, which Rome could not offer.
It should also be mentioned that Byzantium was very interested in the transfer of its religion to the vast Russian lands. Thus, she significantly expanded her influence in the international political arena of that time. The adoption of Christianity of the Byzantine model in Russia presupposed the performance of divine services in the native language of the population, which, according to some historians, was of primary importance for Vladimir's choice of Orthodoxy. Other sources claim that all the reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia, taken together, fade before the main one - his marriage to the sister of the emperor of Byzantium, who simply could not marry his close relative to a pagan.
The adoption of Christianity in Russia. Its meaning and role in history
The history of Russia that preceded the adoption of Christianity is incomprehensible and poorly studied. This is primarily due to the fact that our first chroniclers wrote not earlier than the 11th century. And about the events of the 9-10th centuries, with the exception of a few written Greek scrolls, they had no sources other than oral folk legends, which cannot be recognized as undoubtedly reliable, since they were subject to fiction and changes. Thus, it can be noted that only with the advent of Christianity did the Russian people receive a solid foundation for the creation of state and civil life, a foundation without which, in fact, there is no history.
Christianity did not spread among the people for a long time. Officially, the baptism of Rus is associated with the name of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (later named Saint). In 988. the inhabitants of Kievan Rus adopted Christianity.
What prompted Kievan Rus to adopt Christianity? By that time, there were several religions in the world (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism) claiming to settle in Russia. Vladimir only had to make a choice. Why Christianity and how was Kievan Rus baptized?
The merit of Vladimir lies in the fact that he made the entire forest north serve the interests of the defense of the southern border, which ran through the lands of the Polyans, Ulichi and Severyans. Of the cities closest to Kiev, Vasilev on the Stugna and Belgorod on the Dnieper were built. The towns of Trepol, Tumash and Vasilev were connected by ramparts. The construction of several defensive lines with a well-thought-out system of fortresses, ramparts, signal towers made it impossible for the sudden invasion of the Pechenegs and helped Russia go on the offensive. Thousands of Russian villages and towns were spared the horrors of the Pechenezh raids. Volodymyr began to subordinate regional interests to national interests, to consider the southern borders of meadows, streets, northerners to be the borders of all Kievan Rus. In doing so, he carried out whole line administrative measures contributing to the successful solution of the task facing Russia. The Kiev prince pursues an international policy to strengthen Kievan Rus, changes the attitude of Byzantium in accordance with the circumstances, and strives to become related to the Byzantine court. One of the most significant ideological actions was the adoption of Christianity in its Byzantine version.
The easiest way for those times was coercion. So, for example, Novgorod was baptized and part of the population of Kiev (mentioned above) it is logical to assume that in this way most of Russia was baptized. It is characteristic here that the ancient gods were at first discriminated against in the eyes of the population. It is known for certain that this was done in Kiev and Novgorod. Also from the sources you can see that the love of the people for Prince Vladimir and his authority were very high. A successful foreign policy contributed to the strengthening of his authority. In campaigns and battles, the princely squad grew stronger. The victorious wars increased the prince's treasury. The suppression of the uprisings of the Vyatichi and Radimichi testified that the Grand Duke's troops could force the conquered peoples to submit to the Kiev authorities. “By the end of the 80s of the 10th century, the power of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich in Russia had become so strong that he no longer needed support from the pagan population. On the contrary, both he and his boyars and warriors desperately needed a Christian religion at this time, which would help the feudal system to finally stabilize in Russia. "
The authority of Prince Vladimir is also confirmed by the "Tale of Bygone Years" and the source used by V.N. Tatishchev in the "History of Russia". “Then Vladimir sent all over the city, saying:“ In the morning everyone is going to be baptized on the Pochayna river: and if someone does not appear on the river from the unspeakable morning, he is rich or poor, a nobleman or a slave, he will be reckoned with my adversary. ” Those who heard this, the people of the Mnozii with joy or, judging among themselves, if this were not good, then the prince and the boyar would not accept this. "
Here is how the author of “Memory and Praise to Vladimir ...” writes about this: “Baptize Prince Volodymer himself and his children ... baptize the entire Russian land from end to end ... all the Russian land and decorate the whole city by the holy churches ... the soul of the whole Russian land was brought to God by holy baptism. "
The same is stated by another source - "The Legend of Boris and Gleb" dated by the end of the 11th century.
This is also confirmed by the "Tale of Bygone Years", the entry is listed under the year 988: "begin to put churches and priests in hail, and people are brought to baptism throughout the city and the village."
From the words of Nestor the chronicler, we can conclude that by the time he wrote The Tale of Bygone Years (the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries), most of the Slavic peoples, with the exception of the Vyatichi, had already abandoned their pagan beliefs under the influence of their adopted Christianity. This state of affairs is also confirmed in the work of a contemporary of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, the Arab author Yahya of Antioch: "they christened the Tsar (Prince Vladimir) and everyone who was embraced by his land." In fact, it seems to me that it was only a visible, superficial, baptism of Rus. Many were baptized only outwardly adopting Christianity, fearing the wrath of boyars, princes and the Grand Duke himself. For many centuries, paganism, and perhaps even still, lived in the hearts, minds and souls of the Russian people. Russia appears to be Christian only according to official sources. Folklore and excavations testify to the presence of Orthodox-pagan syncretism in Russia (archaeologists find amulets, nazuns, plaques with intertwining Christian and pagan symbols in burials). The new faith was widely introduced in the princely-boyar environment (very small in number), while paganism continued to exist among the widest strata of commoners. Dual faith, religious and ideological syncretism embraced all strata of society. “Christianization slowly proceeded from the cities through the villages and villages and, penetrated into the mass of the masses, merged with the old, habitual way of thinking and feeling ... it was one syncretic faith, which was the result of the conversion of Christianity in the Russian folk environment, otherwise - its Russification. "
According to the works of some historians, it can be judged that in Kievan Rus a sharp polarity between the "top" and the "bottom" has not yet developed, the manifestations of "communal democracy", "military democracy" have survived, and Christianity was a feudal ideology and that is why it could not take root immediately and forever ... It is also known that any religion, in particular Christianity, has never existed anywhere in an abstract, “exemplary” form. It always, getting into this or that environment, acquired its features, becoming more or less syncretic. Over time, the confrontation of religions, cults, rituals and deities came to naught, as the assimilation of the two beliefs took place. In my opinion, it is in Russian Orthodoxy that this assimilation is most noticeable. A clear example of this are all kinds of conspiracies in which the essence is pagan, and the shell is Orthodox. This can be seen in the holidays celebrated in Russia, even in modern times. Along with purely Christian ones, there are a lot of pagan ones, and there are also those who have merged together: Mother of God, Christmas, Shrovetide, Easter, Trinity, Ivan Kupala's day and so on.
Gradually, the pagan pantheon was replaced by Christian saints. The supreme deity Rod was at first perceived as a rival of the Christian Father God, but then they merged.
Perun and Yarilo dissolved in Ilya, Boris, Gleb, George the Victorious, Mokosh merged with Paraskeva Friday, the Mother of God. Next to Christ, they stood as equals, in popular beliefs, then Peter, then Nikola, then Michael.
“As a result of the interaction of cultures, the Christian concept of monotheism acquired a very conditional character. That is why, in spite of the ever deeper assimilation of Christianity, a different, than in Byzantium, religious and ideological ideal was asserted, a different picture of the world existed, in accordance with which social thought also developed. "
What prompted Russia to adopt Christianity? The main reason for the adoption of Christianity, it seems to me, can be considered the emergence in Russia of early feudalism and the formation of a state, Kievan Rus, which could exist without a strong and grounded ideology. By this time, there were several religions in the world (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism), all these religions claimed to settle in Russia. Vladimir had to make his choice. Islam was widespread among the Volga-Kama Bulgars, Judaism among the Khazars, Christianity (with centers in Rome and Constantinople) in Byzantium and Western Europe. All these religions have already begun to spread in Russia, but none of them could take the main positions. For Vladimir, the adoption of a particular religion was a matter, primarily a political one. Therefore, Judaism was not considered a contender for the state religion, since Judaism was the religion of the defeated people (in 965 Khazaria was defeated by the army of Svyatoslav Igorevich). Islam was more likely to become official religion Russian state, but Vladimir renounced Islam. The reason behind the rejection of Islam is believed to be that the Qur'an prohibits wine. Vladimir, as you know, loved to arrange magnificent feasts and celebrations for any reason, in particular, on the occasion of victories in military campaigns.
According to the generally accepted opinion, Prince Vladimir was baptized in 988. in Korsun (Greek Chersonesos now Crimea).
Two years after his own baptism, Vladimir decided to proceed with the baptism of the people. It was not only religious enthusiasm that prompted Grand Duke Vladimir to do this. He was guided, of course, by state considerations, since for the Russian people, the adoption of Christianity meant an introduction to the high culture of Christian peoples and a more successful development of their cultural and state life. Before doing this, he decided to enter into relations with the rivers, since a hierarchy was needed for the future Russian Church. Upon his return to Kiev, Vladimir began to baptize the residents of the capital, and then his other subjects.
Vladimir viewed Christianity as a state religion; refusal to be baptized in such conditions was tantamount to a manifestation of disloyalty, for which the Kievites had no serious grounds.
The main, perhaps, was the political significance of the adoption of Christianity in Russia. The reform carried out by Prince Vladimir of Kiev became the first "window to Europe". Prior to this event, Russia lived in a confined space, having an idea of foreigners only as enemies. Constant defensive wars either with the eastern nomadic tribes or with the western invaders taught the Russians to the idea that we are in a ring of enemies and the more reliably we isolate ourselves, the better. Isolation led to an even greater decline in the economy and culture. After the baptism of Rus, the country began to develop and gain strength external Relations... First of all, the flow of goods, objects of culture and science from Byzantium went to us. This country with two thousand years of culture had a huge impact on Russia. The significance of the adoption of Christianity in Russia was also manifested in the fact that a new, spiritual component appeared in the government of the country. The hierarchs of the Orthodox Church, along with the princes (and later the kings), exerted a powerful influence on the formation of public opinion, and, as a result, on politics.
Along with the development of political ties, economic and trade ties were strengthened. Overseas fabrics, dishes, and other household items appeared in Russia. The princely chambers began to be built taking into account the peculiarities of Byzantine architecture; the decoration of the interiors of churches and princely chambers with artistic painting and jewelry came into use.
The adoption of Christianity contributed to the widespread dissemination of literacy in Russia, the enjoyment of enlightenment, the emergence of rich literature translated from the Greek language, the emergence of its own literature, the development of church architecture and icon painting. The schools and libraries that have appeared since the time of Vladimir Saint and Yaroslav the Wise have become essential tool the spread of education in Russia. Libraries also appeared in other cities, including monastic and private ones. With the Baptism of Kievan Rus, its state and cultural ties not only with Byzantium, but also with the Balkan countries and other European states, expanded and deepened.
The culture itself does not know the starting date. But if we talk about the conditional date of the beginning of Russian culture, then 988 is considered the most justified of all the chronicles and written books. Thanks to the Bulgarian writing, Christianity immediately appeared in Russia as a highly organized religion with a high culture. The church script that was transferred to us by Bulgaria is the most important thing that gave Russia baptism. Christianity as a whole contributed to the emergence of the creation of the unity of mankind. Christianity baptism religion
The historical significance of this time was as follows:
- 1. Introduction of the Slavic-Finnish world to the values of Christianity.
- 2. Creation of conditions for full-blooded cooperation of the tribes of the East European Plain with other Christian tribes and nationalities.
- 3. Russia was recognized as a Christian state, which determined a higher level of relations with European countries and peoples.
The Russian Church, which developed in cooperation with the state, has become a force that unites residents of different lands into a cultural and political community. The transfer of the traditions of monastic life to Russian soil gave.
An introduction to the thousand-year-old Christian history posed new cultural and spiritual tasks for the Russian society and indicated the means of their solution. Borrowing became the basis for cooperation, from the mastered achievements of Byzantium, stone architecture, icon painting, fresco paintings, everyday literature and chronicles, school and book correspondence, which were previously unknown to the Slavs, gradually grew.
In Kievan Rus, the adoption of Christianity contributed to a softening of morals: robbery and murder were already viewed as the greatest sins. The poor received spiritual comfort. Paganism, as we remember, did not forbid polygamy, but with the adoption of Christianity, these concepts changed, that is, the social way of life of the people is changing.
References
1. Pavlenko NI History of Russia.
The activities of the first Russian princes were subordinated to two main goals: to extend their power to all East Slavic tribes and establish trade.
The first prince of Russia was Oleg. He established trade relations with Byzantium, seized the trade route "Their Varangians to the Greeks." In 907 and 911 he made 2 campaigns against the Byzantines, the result of which was a trade agreement beneficial for Russian merchants.
In 912 he dies and Igor begins to rule. First of all, he subdued the Drevlyans. Later in 941 and 944, he makes 2 campaigns against Byzantium, the first was not successful, and during the second a trade agreement was concluded with Byzantium. In 945, the prince was killed by the Drevlyans. Igor twice tried to collect tribute from them, for which he paid. His wife Olga and his young son Svyatoslav remain in Kiev. From 945 to 957 Olga ruled, taking the regency over her son. She brutally avenged the Drevlyans for the death of her husband. After that, the princess set the exact size of the tribute, determined the places for collecting tribute - churchyards. She also changed the order of collecting tribute, now it was collected by people specially appointed by the prince. This was the first reform in Russia. In 957 Olga accepted Christianity in Byzantium, and upon her return, she gave the reign to her son.
Svyatoslav annexed the lands of the Vyatichi to Russia, made 2 successful campaigns against the Khazars (965-969), defeating their two main cities, Semender and Sarkel. Later, the prince captured the mouth of the Kuban River and the coast Sea of Azov... On the Taman peninsula, he formed a new principality - Tmutarakan. In 968, at the request of the Byzantine king, he opposed the Bulgars, captured a number of their cities, including Pereslavets. In the spring of 971 he fought with the Byzantines. The war was difficult for both sides and a peace treaty was signed. Svyatoslav returns to Kiev, abandoning the T Bulgar lands. During his return home, in 972, Svyatoslav, along with his retinue, was killed by the Pechenegs.
The campaigns of the princes significantly expanded the territory of Russia. They also helped to establish trade with Byzantium.
adoption of Christianity in Russia reasons and significance
In 988, under Vladimir I, Christianity was adopted as the state religion. Christianity, as the chronicler says, has been widespread in Russia since ancient times. It was preached by the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, one of Christ's disciples. Stories about the subsequent baptisms of certain groups of the population of Russia (during Askold and Dir, Cyril and Methodius, Princess Olga, etc.) show that Christianity gradually entered the life of ancient Russian society.
Historians have always faced questions: what is the reason for the Christianization of Rus and why did Prince Vladimir choose Orthodoxy? The answer to these questions should be sought both in the personality of Prince Vladimir and in the analysis of the socio-political and spiritual processes that were taking place at that time in Kievan Rus.
Prince Vladimir was large statesman of its time. He had long been aware that pagan polytheism did not correspond to the political and spiritual needs of the state. In 980, Vladimir undertook the first religious reform, the essence of which was an attempt to merge the dissimilar gods of all the tribes of Kievan Rus into a single pantheon headed by the princely god Perun. However, the attempt to widen the spread of the cult of Perun failed. The pagan god was opposed by other pagan gods who were worshiped by the Slavic and non-Slavic tribes of Kievan Rus. Paganism did not ensure the ethnocultural unity of all the tribes and lands of Kievan Rus. Historical practice has shown that this unity is better than others provided by the so-called world religions: Christianity and Islam.
The Orthodox version of the adoption of Christianity claims that this event was preceded by a procedure of "choice of faiths." Kievan Rus in its own way geopolitical position was in close contact with the Khazar Kaganate, which was dominated by Judaism, the Arab-Muslim world, in which Islam was professed, Orthodox Byzantium and the Catholic states of Western Europe. In all these regions, Vladimir allegedly sent his ambassadors to determine the best faith. After completing the assignment of the Grand Duke, the ambassadors returned and unequivocally gave preference to Orthodoxy because of the beauty of its churches and the uplift that they felt in them.
However, these circumstances did not play a major role in the adoption of Orthodoxy. The decisive factor in turning to the religious and ideological experience of Byzantium was the traditional political, economic, cultural ties of Kievan Rus with Byzantium. In the system of Byzantine statehood, spiritual power was subordinate to the emperor. This corresponded to the political aspirations of Prince Vladimir. Dynastic considerations also played an important role. The adoption of Orthodoxy opened the way for the marriage of Vladimir with the sister of the Byzantine emperor, Princess Anne, and thus further strengthened friendly relations with such an influential power as Byzantium. Friendship with Byzantium not only opened the way to expand trade, economic and cultural ties, but also to some extent protected Russia from the raids of numerous nomadic tribes that inhabited the Great Steppe north of the Black Sea, which Byzantium constantly used in the fight against its northern neighbor. :
And one more point played its role in the choice of Orthodoxy. In Catholicism, divine services took place in Latin, the texts of the Bible and other liturgical books - in the same language. Orthodoxy did not bind itself with linguistic canons. Moreover, during this period, Orthodoxy was established in Slavic Bulgaria. Thus, the liturgical books and the entire rite were linguistically related to the population of Kievan Rus. Through the Bulgarian liturgical books and Bulgarian clergy, Orthodoxy began to establish itself in the spiritual life of Russian society.
Vladimir, being baptized himself, baptized his boyars, and then the whole family. The spread of Christianity often met with resistance from the population, who revered their pagan gods... Christianity took root slowly. On the outskirts of Kievan Rus, it was established much later than in Kiev and Novgorod.
The adoption of Christianity in Orthodox tradition became one of the determining factors of our further historical development.
Christianity has created a broad basis for the unification of all the peoples of this society. The border between the Rus and the Slav, the Finno-Ugric and the Slav, etc. disappeared. All of them were united by a common spiritual basis. Christianity gradually began to supplant pagan rituals and traditions, and on this basis the humanization of society took place. A significant cultural revolution was the introduction of a unified writing system. The adoption of Christianity contributed to the formation of an urban culture in a country that was predominantly agricultural in nature. Under the influence of Christians, temple building, books, literature, history and philosophy developed.
On the basis of Christianization, a new type of statehood is being formed in Kievan Rus, which to a large extent acquires a Byzantine form. A close relationship is established between the secular and ecclesiastical authorities, with the former being dominant over the latter. In the first half of the 11th century, the formation of ecclesiastical jurisdiction begins. Matters of marriage, divorce, family, and some inheritance cases are transferred to the jurisdiction of the church. By the end of the XII century. the church began to oversee the service of weights and measures. A significant role is assigned to the church in international affairs related to the deepening of relations with Christian states and churches.
In general, thanks to the adoption of Christianity, Kievan Rus was included in the European Christian world, and therefore became an equal element of the European civilization process. However, the adoption of Christianity in the Orthodox version had its negative consequences. Orthodoxy contributed to the isolation of Russia from Western European civilization. With the fall of Byzantium, the Russian state and the Russian Orthodox Church found themselves, in fact, isolated from the rest of the Christian world. It is this circumstance that can partly explain the refusal of Western Europe to come to the aid of Russia in its confrontation with the infidels (Tatar-Mongols, Turks and other conquerors).