Who is St. Vladimir of Russia?
To historians, Vladimir of Russia can be called many things. He is described as an empire builder, as a statesman, as a soldier, and sometimes as a leader or a even a missionary. Accordingly, historians refer to him only as Prince Vladimir. However, in Christianity, he is given a title that exceeds other titles that are associated with Vladimir’s name like “Emperor Vladimir” or “Vladimir the Great”. We call him Saint Vladimir of Russia.
Why is he considered a Saint?
He has introduced Christianity to a nation with a population of more than two hundred fifty million in an area that was much bigger than current Europe.
What’s his story?
The son of Svyatoslav I, ruler of a fragmented Russia, Vladimir was born a pagan, but, as an emperor, he believed that religion is the only means that would ensure him an authentic unification of the enormous number of the people of his nation. Thus, he sent three emissaries to Constantinople, Germany and the Muslim countries to observe and report back to him everything they could about the religion of those countries.
The news from Constantinople was the only thing that delighted him. The observer declared that in light of the festive rituals of the Orthodox Church that had been happening in their entire splendor before his own eyes, he exclaimed, “We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth, for such beauty we know not how to tell of it.” It’s crucial to note that Vladimir himself had been deeply fascinated by the Orthodoxy and Byzantine civilization beforehand. Soon after he married the sister of Emperor Basil, he was baptized, taking the name of Emperor Basil.
How significant is he?
Christianity had transformed Vladimir from a pagan into a generous Christian who is determined to spread God’s word, by the only way which was possible at that time, which is by mouth. His mission was full of hardships, but his faith in God’s glory kept him moving forward. He illuminated the darkest places with the love of Christ, not only by establishing churches, but also many schools, seminaries, convents, monasteries and every form of Christian expression.
Vladimir claimed spiritual enlightenment as his mission in life and was firmly and unwaveringly decided to spread God’s love.
Prince Vladimir died in 15 July 1015, and this day is celebrated until now by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Many monuments to St. Vladimir can be found around the world, including Novgorod, Russia, Ukraine and Moscow.
View of the monument of St Vladimir, the Baptist of Russia with the Dnieper river and the city of Kiev in Background
At our workshop, we have many Jerusalem wood carved religious pieces which are produced to help Christians in the Holy Land and around the world share their faith and glory to God in the highest with the best quality. Although we don’t have St. Vladimir of Russia figurines yet, we do have outstanding stone mosaic artwork of St. Michael's that comes with a beautiful wooden frame to be hanged on a wall. We also have figurines of other saints like olive wood Saint Anne statue, Saint John Olive Wood Hand Carved Statue, and Saint Francis of Assisi Olive Wood Hand Carved Sculpture. For all the hand carved olive wood Saints Statuettes that we have, check our Saints category on our online market where you can view the items in 360 degrees by clicking here.
We, the Bethlehem Handicrafts’ team, are so proud to put the Holy Land in your hand by giving you a variety of the best and the most outstanding original Bethlehem’s olive wood carvings with the best quality made in the Holy Land.
