Volodymyr is the youngest son of the Grand Prince of Kyiv, Sviatoslav, and the grandson of the Blessed Olha. He becomes the Grand Prince of Kyiv in 980.
He consolidates the state's borders through large military campaigns against the East and South Slavic tribes, and appropriates the powers of the tribal princes.
In 986, he provided military support to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II, who was waging wars in Europe and Asia. In exchange, he obtained the hand of Princess Anne, the emperor's sister, on the condition of converting to Christianity.
According to legend, Volodymyr, wanting to inform himself about different religions, sends ambassadors to various countries.
In Constantinople, the splendor of the liturgy celebrated in the Church of Hagia Sophia, the beauty of the icons, and the heavenly liturgical singing transport the prince's envoys with enthusiasm.
After having received baptism himself in Crimea, in 988 Volodymyr baptizes all his subjects by immersion in the Kyiv river, the Dnipro.
A broader evangelization quickly follows this founding act which is the baptism of Kyiv's Rous'. At his death in 1015, Volodymyr, having established solid political and commercial relations with the Byzantine Empire, leaves a Kyiv's Rous' founded on the Christian faith and well consolidated within its state borders.
The feast of St Volodymyr is celebrated on 15 July.
Learn more about Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great in Paris:
The origins of the Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great in Paris date back to the 13th century, marked by the construction of an initial church on the site. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, this church was dismantled to make way for a structure intended for the Brothers of Charity. The foundation stone of this new building was laid in 1613, under the patronage of Marie de Médicis. This building was then finalized, serving jointly with a hospital.
