Sermon on the feast of St Vladimir, the enlightener of Rus’
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Brothers and sisters, we celebrate the memory of St Vladimir, the Great Prince and Enlightener of Rus’. Each Orthodox nation honours its enlightener, through whom it came to know Christ. Such saints are called “Equal-to-the-Apostles” since they were apostles for their own country.
Like the holy apostle Paul, St Vladimir lost his sight shortly before his baptism. But having been baptized, he miraculously regained his sight. This miracle showed that a man without faith is spiritually blind; he walks in darkness and doesn’t know where he is going. The Lord says: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8)
Secular historians usually explain St Vladimir’s conversion by his political goals. But this is far from the truth; there was no politics in his conversion. We can see this from the fact that after his baptism, prince Vladimir changed completely and became a new person.
We often confess our sins, but do we really change? Do we not, in most cases, immediately return to the same sins, which we have just confessed? But St Vladimir turned to Christ with all his heart. God’s grace touched his heart and revealed to him all the absurdity and emptiness of idolatry. He understood the blessedness of life in Christ.
After his conversion, St Vladimir especially excelled in two virtues: humility and charity. He was so meek, that out of fear of God, he did not dare to give orders to execute even highway robbers.
St Vladimir used his wealth to build churches and to support those in need. He arranged sumptuous feasts for all citizens of his capital Kiev. For the sick who could not come, St Vladimir sent carts loaded with various provisions through the streets of the city, so that everyone could eat and glorify God. The memory of these feasts of St Vladimir has been preserved in folk poems (byliny), orally transmitted through centuries. In these poems St Vladimir is affectionately named “Prince Vladimir, the Fair Sun”.
St Vladimir laid the orthodox faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the “chief cornerstone” for Russia for all ages to come, and he himself established on this foundation the temple of holiness of his soul. Now as he stands in joy before Christ our Saviour, he prays for the salvation of his people. Amen.
Header: Prince Vladimir’s baptism. Manuscript, 15th century
