July 28th

2023 Author: Lucy Dunce | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:49

July 28 - Day of the Baptism of Rus

Our country is a multinational state, that's a fact. It is not that this feature gives Russia any exceptional character, but it definitely sets the Russian Federation apart from a number of world powers. "How many nationalities - so many religions" - the unspoken law sounds, which operates on the territory of our country. The official confession is Orthodoxy, it is considered the most faithful moral teaching.

We owe the ringing of bells, the shining in the sun of the domes of churches, crowned with crosses, to Prince Vladimir, who carried out the Baptism of Rus.

Not so long ago, a holiday was established in our country in honor of the proclamation of Christianity in 988 as the religion of the entire state. It happened on June 1, 2010, when President D. Medvedev approved amendments to the Federal Law "On Days of Military Glory and Memorable Dates of Russia." So a new holiday appeared in the list of memorable dates - the Day of the Baptism of Rus. The proposal to give this event a state status was made by the Russian Orthodox Church.

The date - July 28 - was not chosen by chance: this is the day of remembrance of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, who is also known as Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko.

According to legend, on this very day in Chersonesos, the holy Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, was baptized. This is his personal choice. And this choice predetermined the history of the entire country. There were Christians in Kiev even before Saint Vladimir. For example, his grandmother, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, also put a lot of effort into ensuring that Christianity took root in Russia.

The baptism of Rus was historically due to a number of reasons. First, the unification of lands that took place at that time contributed to the rejection of tribal gods, as well as the introduction of a monotheistic religion on the principle of "one state, one prince, one God." Secondly, by that time, the entire European world had adopted Christianity. Thirdly, the introduction to the culture of Christianity gave the country a strong enough stimulus for development.

It was Prince Vladimir who contributed to the spread of Christianity throughout Russia, built entire cities in which he erected churches. Following Kiev, other cities adopted Orthodoxy. But in reality, the Baptism of Rus dragged on for several centuries, until Christianity finally defeated pagan beliefs.

Interestingly, a similar date has been observed in Ukraine since 2008. Their holiday is called the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus-Ukraine, also falls on July 28.

Today, some intellectuals, including television personalities, say that Russia's choice of Orthodoxy was wrong. This formulation of the question, in our opinion, speaks of the neglect of history, since at the time of the baptism of Vladimir there was no single Rus. That is, pre-Orthodox Russia, which is capable of making a single choice, did not exist. It was precisely the unity of faith and the language of worship that prepared the necessary basis for the unification of various tribes into a single people, for the creation of a single state.

Until now, the unity of the country and the people remains an intangible category, which is based on the community of spirit, on the feelings of love for the Motherland and unity with their people. In today's conditions, a good memory of history, knowledge of the role that spiritual values still play in the self-consciousness of the people helps to survive. And find support for the future development of the people, society and state.

Today it is Orthodoxy that acts as such a spiritual bond. His ideals, values, picture of the world for centuries entered the flesh and blood of entire generations with mother's milk. The tragic rupture of the 20th century did not completely erase the image of God from the soul of the people.

That is why you should remember the history of your country, so as not to be Ivans who do not remember kinship. Not to lose the moral ideals that Orthodoxy has been investing in each of us for centuries.

On July 28, every year, themed events are held on the squares, and in Orthodox churches there are solemn services in honor of the Baptism of Rus.

Author: Zhanna Sh. (Specially for Calorizator.ru)

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