What a holiday on July 28 according to the church calendar, few people know, since this is a relatively recent solemn event. The baptism of Russia was legalized by the former President of the Russian Federation D. A. Medvedev in 2010. This date was timed to coincide with the day of the great accomplishment, when in 988 Christianity was proclaimed on the pagan land, which became the main religion of the young state. And now, on July 28, the Orthodox celebrate the day of the baptism of Russia. On this day, the Holy Church prayerfully honors the memory of Prince Vladimir, who himself was first baptized, and then, thanks to him, the baptism of the entire Russian people took place. After that, people began to have the opportunity to save their souls and live according to the holy gospel.
What church holiday is July 28 (history): the role of Vladimir
How is it allhappened? Let's plunge a little into the times of ancient Kievan Rus. Delving further into what holiday July 28 is according to the church calendar, it should be noted that in the history of the church the prince is referred to as Vladimir the Baptist, in ancient epics he is called the Red Sun. In ancient Russian writings, he was called equal to the apostles, since his princely feat is equated with apostolic service.
He was born around 963. His father was the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav, and his mother was the Drevlyansk princess Malusha. Shortly after the birth of Vladimir, they take him to Kyiv, and his grandmother, Princess Olga, and his uncle, the pagan governor Dobrynya, are engaged in his upbringing.
Svyatoslav
In 969, Prince Svyatoslav distributed inheritances among his sons. Kyiv went to Yaropolk, the land of the Drevlyans to Oleg. At the same time, Novgorodians came to the prince and, on the advice of Dobrynya, began to ask for Prince Vladimir to rule. So, as a child, Vladimir became the ruler of the Novgorod lands. In 972, Svyatoslav dies, and his sons begin to fight for the land. As a result, Yaropolk kills Oleg. Vladimir at this time leaves for Scandinavia and wants to gather a mercenary army to go to Kyiv. The traitor brings Yaropolk to Vladimir, and he decides to kill his brother. From this moment, the era of Vladimir's reign begins.
Vladimir
Speaking about what holiday is celebrated on July 28, we must add that before Prince Vladimir converted to Christianity, he was described in the annals as a vindictive and cruel ruler, convincedpagan. At that time, pagan idols stood on the Kyiv mountains, which required human sacrifices.
Christian Vikings Theodore and his son John threw a challenge to paganism, they became the first Christian martyrs in Russia, because they did not want to sacrifice to an idol.
And then the prince first thought about the truth of his faith. Vladimir took care of the power of the state and made military campaigns. He annexed other lands, wanted to introduce something new and carried out a pagan reform, uniting the pagan gods in the pantheon he himself established. This was his first step in his search for the truth.
Philosopher
The prince was strongly impressed by the Greek philosopher who visited him then, who told him about Orthodoxy. And then Vladimir sends his envoys to different lands so that they can see the beauty of this or that faith with their own eyes, compare and, upon arrival, tell about everything they saw. After a certain time, the messengers began to return. A story about the solemnity of the service, singing and splendor of the church of St. Sophia and the patriarchal ministry touched me to the core.
The messengers said that during the service they did not know where they were - in heaven or on earth! The boyars noticed that after all, Princess Olga converted to Christianity, and they considered her the wisest of all women.
Baptism
The baptism of Vladimir was connected with the conquest of the city of Chersonese. He vowed to be baptized after the victory. HoweverI didn't rush into this issue. From Chersonese, he sends ambassadors to Constantinople to the emperor Basil and Constantine, so that they give him their sister Anna as a wife. But they replied that only a Christian could marry their sister. When Princess Anna came to him with her retinue and priests, the prince suddenly became blind. The princess, in order to heal the disease, asks him to be baptized as soon as possible. In 988, Vladimir was baptized and received the name Vasily. He came out of the font healed from a physical illness and received his spiritual sight. He exclaimed, “Now I have known the true God.”
People
And from here begins the most important event for Russia - the baptism of the people. First, all the children of Vladimir were baptized, then the boyars and the people. The prince begins a merciless struggle with pagan idols. Perun - the main pagan idol - was tied to a horse's tail, dragged to the Dnieper and thrown into the water, so much so that no one could find and take him again.
And the priests who arrived with Princess Anna begin to tell in Russia about the savior of the world - Jesus Christ.
Then a day was appointed when all the inhabitants of Kyiv would have to gather on the banks of the Dnieper to perform the rite of baptism.
There was also a prince who thanked the Lord for His great mercy to his people. People entered the water, and the priests read prayers over them.
The spread of Christianity in Russia
In conclusion of the study of the question of what holiday July 28 is according to the church calendar, it must be said that Novgorod is accepted for Christianity outside Kyiv,Murom, Rostov, Suzdal Territory, Lutsk, Pskov, Smolensk… The children of the prince, who were separated from their destinies, also baptized people in their lands.
Christian faith mostly spread successfully, as sermons and conversations were conducted peacefully and in a language understandable to people thanks to Cyril and Methodius. Although it happened in different ways.
By the 10th-13th centuries, the Orthodox faith was accepted by other peoples neighboring Kievan Rus. And in Kyiv, on the site where the pagan idol stood, the church of St. Basil, the heavenly patron of the Kyiv prince, was built. A little later, the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos (Tithing) was built. An important administrative reform will be associated with its appearance - the establishment of church tithing.
Holy martyrs
July 28 - Church Orthodox feast of the holy martyrs Julitta (Ulita) and Cyric, who were martyred under the emperor Diocletian (late III - early IV century). Yullita was a widow from a we althy family. Kirik was her son. In times of fierce persecution of Christians, she left her house and property, together with her three-year-old son and two slaves, went to another city, where she began to wander like a beggar. But one day they recognized her, took her to the ruler and began to demand that she renounce her faith. But Julitta did not want to hear about it. Then they began to beat her with whips and took away her son.
The boy burst into tears when he saw his mother being tortured. The ruler wanted to caress the baby, but he said that he was also a Christian and wanted to be released to his mother. Then the ruler threw him off hisstone platform. And Julitta was first brutally beaten, and then her head was cut off.
The holy relics of these martyrs were found under the ruler Constantine the Great, one of the slaves showed where their bodies were buried.
Holiday: July 28, tradition
The Old Believers also revere these saints. According to folk tradition, this holiday is considered the middle of summer, and on this day the sun shines especially brightly.
In conclusion of the study of the question of what holiday July 28 is according to the church calendar, it should be especially noted that women loved to celebrate Mother Julitta's day the most. They called this saint their intercessor. They needed to get as much rest as possible. It was believed that on this day it is better not to go out into the field, since evil spirits are walking there at that time. There was a rumor among the people that whoever reaps at this time can see a bad omen that can come true. This is logically explained by the fact that it often rains heavily on this day, so there is nothing to do in the garden at this time.
Kiriki are always wet holes. That's what the peasants said. But the house was always full of work for everyone. Children were also taught to work very early. And they became a reliable support for their mothers, like St. Cyric for Julitta.
The Orthodox Church calendar in July contains such wonderful dates that we can only pray to our saints to help us in our trials sent to us by the Lord himself.
