Greetings of Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, on the Occasion of the Day of the Baptism of Kyiv Rus, the Feast of Grand Prince St. Volodymyr, Equal-to-the-Apls, Baptist of Rus
Dear Fellow Citizens!
On 28 July, members of the Orthodox Church celebrate the Day of the Baptism of Kyiv Rus and the Feast of Grand Prince St. Volodymyr, Equal-to-the-Apls, Baptist of Rus.
The establishment of Christianity in Kyiv Rus became the event of global importance that determined the spiritual fortune of our Church and Ukrainian nation and still bears enormous influence upon the life of the society and the State.
The Baptism and dissemination of Christianity through the territory of the Old Russian State had a beneficent influence, as it cleansed the people of the pernicious delusion of idolatry and established substantially other, vivifying and life-asserting, senses of being, created new culture, introduced the written language and literature, architecture and painting, disseminated the light of science and education.
Holy faith helped Volodymyr to comprehend the true meaning and completeness of eternal concepts; blissful achievements of the fruits of the Holy Spirit granted him a possibility to rule the State authoritatively and skillfully for more than thirty years, successfully implementing administrative-territorial and military reforms.
Commemorating the Baptist, the builder and educator of Kyiv Rus, let us set his ardent faith as an example, as well as his persistent efforts aimed at the consolidation of the society, inspiring selfless devotion in the consolidation of moral principles, clearness of purpose in the implementation of fundamental reforms.
Volodymyr LYTVYN