Christianity in Kievan Russia

The precise reasoning behind Prince Vladimir’s choice to make Christianity the official religion of Russia is unknown. However, there are a number of important factors that could have influenced this decision, including political and commercial bonds with Byzantium, and geography (Thompson 18). Russia adopted the Orthodox brand of Christianity that was commonly observed in the Byzantine Empire; it was the most proximate religion with a large practicing population, whereas the closest devotees of Islam and Judaism, for example, were not necessarily near at all (Thompson 18). It is likely that Vladimir did not want to adopt a religion for the state that would potentially pit Russia against new enemies, or connect it to diminishing powers (Thompson 18). Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Christianity though was its accessibility due to Cyril and Methodius—Christian monks—and their advancements in developing a written Slavic language; people could adhere to, and comprehend the Christian religion without having to learn Greek or Latin (Thompson 18).

Many Russians adhered to the Christian worldview superficially, merely tacking it on to their preexisting pagan beliefs and customs (Thompson 19). It is for this reason that the Russian Church made a point of emphasizing “visible signs of devotion… to wean the East Slavs away from pagan idols and customs and to convert an illiterate population” (Thompson 19). This was reflected in everything from art to architecture. One such holy icon is the Mandylion, a representation based on the linen handkerchief that Jesus had once used to clean his face. The belief is that, after Jesus wiped his face with the cloth, he left an impression of his visage. The mystery surrounding the Mandylion is that even today, there is no sound conclusion as to how this imprint was made—making it a symbol of something that humans themselves could not create. The Mandylion was believed to be the first religious icon, making it incredibly important in a culture such as Russia’s during the conversion, especially as a tool to influence the portion of the population that had not yet converted in earnest.

Work Cited

Thompson, John M. Russia, and the Soviet Union a historical introduction from the KievanState to the present. 6th ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2009. Print.