The Conversion of Russia
OBJECTIVES:
1. Be able to discuss early contact between Byzantium and Russia.
2. Be able to discuss the progress of Christianity in Russia from Olga through Vladimir.
3. Be able to discss interpretive issues and problems relating to the account of the conversion of Vladimir in the Russian Primary Chronicle.
4. Be able to discuss the political motivations of both Basil II of Byzantium and of Vladimir in the conversion Vladimir.
FAMOUS QUOTATIONS FROM THE RUSSIAN PRIMARY CHRONICLE:
Vladimir on Islam's prohibition of drink:
"Drinking is the joy of the Russes. We cannot exist without that pleasure."
Vladimir On Roman Catholicism and fasting:
"Depart hence; our fathers accepted no such principle."
On the Khazars:
The Khazars echoed the Muslim prohibition against pork and supported circumcision. "God was angry at our forefathers, and scattered us among the gentiles on account of our sins..." Vladimir asked: "How can you hope to teach other whiles you yourselves are cast out and scattered abroad by the hand of God? If God loved you and your faith, you would not be thus dispersed in foreign lands. Do you expect us to accept that fate also?"
Russian Emissaries on the Byzantines:
We knew not "whether they were on heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor of beauty, and we are at a loss as to how to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations."
OUTLINE
I. Background: Origins of the Russians
A. The Rus
B. Greek: Rhos
C. Arab: R sby
D. Finnish: routsi or rowers
E. The Varangians
F. The River Ros
G. Rurik
II. Influence of Byzantium
A. Roman Civilization
B. Bertinian Annals: Rhos and Louis IX
C. Attack of 860
D. Cyril and Methodius in 862
I) Rostislav of Moravia
E. Oleg and Kiev
i) Attack of 907
ii) Russian Primary Chronicle
iii) Treaty of 911
III. Christianity
A. Treaty of 945
B. Olga (957-969 A.D.)
I) baptism in 955 (957) in Constantinople
ii) details of her visit
ii) and Germany?
iv) political motives
v) revival of paganism under Sviatoslav
C. Vladimir (978-1015 A.D.)
I) and paganism: Perun
ii) story of conversion: ambassadors from other lands
a) Bulgars
b) Romans
c) Khazars
d) Greeks
iii) Baptism in 990 and conversion of Kiev
a) churches
b) bishops
iv) analysis of account
A) conversion stories
B) Byzantine Politics: Basil II
I) Bulgars and Anatolia
ii) Bardas Phocas
iii) Vladimir's role
C) Baptism and Marriage?
iv) Vladimir's attack on Crimea: Cherson
