Boris
(? - 1015) and Gleb (? - 1015) are saints of the Russian Orthodox
Church. They were the sons of the Kievan Grand Duke Vladimir (? -1015),
who adopted Christianity and made it the official religion of Kievan Rus.
Vladimir had 12 sons by different wives. Boris and Gleb were the sons of
a Bulgarian princess. Vladimir put all his 12 sons at the head of different
princedoms. Boris ruled in Rostov and Gleb in Murom.After Vladimir’s death, one of the elder and the most energetic son, Svyatopolk (980-1019), captured power in Kiev to become the Grand Duke. Neither Boris, nor the younger Gleb, objected, but unfortunately for them they were very popular among the population, especially Boris, a gifted military commander. On the other hand, Svaytopolk, with his decision to adopt Catholicism and change the Russian Church from Byzantine to Roman subordination, stirred displeasure of many influential people of the time. Treacherously Svyatopolk killed both brothers. The legends about the miracles, which took place on their tomb, were spread all over the country by the adherents of the Orthodox Church.
Boris and Gleb were canonized in 1071, and their feast day is 2 (15) May. They are very popular saints in Russia, where many Churches are built in their names. Their cult was especially popular during the period of the Mongol rule in Russia. Many people correctly saw the main reason of Russia’s humiliation and military weakness in multiple internal wars of her princes. Boris and Gleb became the symbol of Russia, the innocent victims of such wars; their names were used by the Church in propaganda to unite the princes in the fight against the foreign occupation.
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