Day of the baptism of Rus
July 15, Tuesday
History of the holiday
In 988, Prince Volodymyr Sviatoslavych accepted Christianity in Byzantine Chersonesus (now Sevastopol), and then organized the mass baptism of Kyiv's population in the waters of the Dnipro. This marked the beginning of the Christianization of all of Kyivan Rus. Christianity of the Byzantine rite gradually displaced paganism and became the state religion.
Establishment of the commemorative date
The holiday was officially established by a Presidential Decree of Ukraine in 2008. The date chosen for its celebration was July 28 — the day of remembrance of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr according to the Orthodox calendar.
How it is celebrated
In Ukraine, the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus – Ukraine is celebrated as both a secular and religious holiday. On this day, the following events take place:
* solemn services in churches, especially in Kyiv and other historical centers of Orthodoxy;
* religious processions and spiritual parades;
* state and public events dedicated to the role of Christianity in the history and culture of Ukraine;
* exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and thematic programs in museums and cultural institutions.
Significance of the holiday
This day symbolizes the spiritual unity of the Ukrainian people, respect for historical heritage, and Christian values. The baptism of Rus marked the beginning of the formation of a new cultural tradition, literacy, architecture, and art, and also laid the foundation for the further development of Ukrainian statehood.