The influence of Christianity on the formation of Slavic culture

Grand Duke Vladimir I (980-1015) perfectly understood the role and significance of religion as a force that strengthens and supports central authority in the state. Initially, Vladimir tried to create a clear hierarchy among the pagan gods of the ancient Rus, a pantheon that would reflect a powerful secular hierarchical structure. He, perhaps, intuitively sought to put one main god over all, like the Grand Duke standing above other noble nobles.

Such a god was Perun. An idol depicting Perun, set on one of the hills in Kiev, was even gilded with a mustache and silvered hair. But paganism was no longer satisfying foreign policy interests. Almost all European countries by that time adopted Christianity, most of the Asian countries, which Russia bordered on, entered the orbit of the Islamic world. Almost the entire civilized world professed monotheism, and only Rusichs - polytheism.

There are two main reasons for the need for the adoption of Christianity: internal and external. The first is that Christianity supported and strengthened central authority. The Bible says that “let every soul obey the lord who has authority; there is no power other than from God: he who opposes power, resists God’s command. ” Any actions against authority and disobedience are considered as a divine affair. In addition, the monotheistic religion pushed for monocracy, as it were, which was extremely important for Kievan Rus, where the central government was always quite weak. The foreign policy aspect should include the desire of Russia to join the European family of peoples as an equal state. Such a state could not be pagan or, in other words, barbaric.

Despite the fact that there is a legend that Vladimir chose religion for the Russian state from Judaism, Islam, Western and Eastern models of Christianity, it is unlikely that Vladimir sent ambassadors to various countries to familiarize themselves with the characteristics and characteristics of a particular religion. Enough foreigners came to Kiev, Novgorod, Smolensk. Many foreigners stayed there for a long time. This is evidenced by the names of neighborhoods in large cities where foreigners were allowed to live - guest houses.

To imitate antiques and paintings, contemporary artists use special decorative paints with which you can simulate almost any surface, from wood and metal to silk and velvet.

Obviously, Vladimir led serious conversations on religious topics with representatives of various faiths, echoes of this can be found in the chronicles. Vladimir consistently rejected Judaism and Islam. The first is because the representatives of this religion did not have their own state, and the last because Muslims should not drink alcohol. Here it is worth noting the external side of Vladimir’s statement that “drinking is the joy of Russia.” A joint ritual of the prince and warriors, feasts, became a kind of ritual in the Old Russian state; they turned into a tradition, a custom, and it was impossible to refuse this without losing part of the princely authority. But still, initially, Vladimir was inclined towards Christianity, since Russia gravitated towards Europe much more than towards Asia. Therefore, the choice, in all likelihood, could only be between Rome and Constantinople.

But with Byzantium, Russia was bound by much stronger centuries-old ties than with Rome. Permanent contacts between the Eastern Slavs and Byzantium begin from the VI century. The Byzantines took representatives of the Eastern Slavs into their army. There were military conflicts when the Slavs attacked the Black Sea possessions of Byzantium. Access to the empire’s markets was obtained after the agreement of 860. In total there were 8 wars between Kievan Rus and Byzantium. Oleg and Igor, Svyatoslav and Vladimir, Yaroslav the Wise tried to defend the economic interests of the Russian state by force. Every year, merchants arrived from Kievan Rus and until the fall conducted lively trade in Constantinople. Therefore, focusing on Eastern Christianity, where the ritual part and the "angelic singing" were unusually beautiful, Vladimir rejected his western model.

It is believed that Vladimir, who received the name Vasily at baptism, was baptized in Chersonesus, which he captured from Byzantium, in 988. Byzantium itself actively planted Christianity in barbaric countries that fell into the orbit of its political influence. But political goals came into conflict with dynastic ones, which, apparently, delayed the adoption (introduction?) Of Christianity in Russia for a year or two. 988 is considered the official date of the adoption of Christianity in Russia.

Wide access to Russia for high Byzantine culture was opened. Russia actively adopted the Byzantine experience in architecture, painting, literature, and numerous crafts. At the beginning of the XI century. On Mount Athos in Byzantium, a Russian monastery was founded, which became one of the conductors of Russian-Byzantine cultural ties. Russian princes sought to intermarry with the imperial dynasties of Byzantium and, thus, tried to show the continuity of power in Russia from the emperors of ancient Rome, to bridge the dynastic bridge between antiquity and Kievan Rus. The relations between Russia and Byzantium were practically terminated after the capture of Constantinople by the crusaders in 1204, and were soon interrupted after the ruin of Kiev by the Tatar-Mongols in 1240.