Reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia

There were several reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia. One of the main factors that prompted her to become more civilized and abandon paganism was the desire of Vladimir to make Russia a single state and unite the peoples living in it. At that time, the creation of a strong-princedom principality was necessary. Paganism did not allow the unification of tribes and caused a number of conflicts between them. Along with this, the power of the prince was insignificant. To unite the people and strengthen their own significance, Prince Vladimir achieved the adoption of Christianity.

But this is not the only factor that triggered this event. The reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia were different. It was also necessary rapprochement with other countries, in particular with Europe. In those days, paganism was not welcomed by many countries that adopted Christianity. Therefore, it was the cause of alienation and hostility manifested in relation to the Russian state. These were the international reasons for the adoption of Christianity by Russia.

We must not forget about the possible personal motives of Prince Vladimir. He did not want to live in sin, and tried to free himself from his pagan way of life. For the entire time of his reign, he committed enough acts that personified him not from the best side. He needed purification, and it could be achieved through the adoption of Christianity. A good example was the past of his grandmother Olga. She personified the image of the princess, who left a good memory of herself. Prince Vladimir also had personal reasons for adopting Christianity in Russia. This is his upcoming wedding with the sister of the Prince of Byzantium. Such kinship was necessary to strengthen the authority of Prince Vladimir and the more solid formation of princely power.

When the idea arose of abandoning paganism, it was necessary to determine faith. This historical moment, very important for Russia, took place in Kiev. There arrived ambassadors professing three main religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It was Prince Vladimir who chose religion for the Russian state. Islam did not appeal to him because of the refusal to drink wine. According to the prince, for Russia this was not acceptable. He rejected Judaism because of the lack of this state of its own religion. Jews in those days roamed the whole earth. The proposal of the representative of the Vatican, also did not like the prince. He referred to the opinion of his grandmother, Princess Olga, who categorically rejected Catholicism. And only the speech of the representative of the Orthodox Christian Church took the necessary action. Vladimir said goodbye to representatives of religions, without making a final choice. But then he proclaimed that the faith of Christians is the best and that they have very beautiful temples. This story of the choice of religion for Russia has survived in the form of a legend. Therefore, it is impossible to say with certainty what Christianity inspired to choose. But one thing is clear, that there were reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia, and this process has been brewing for a long time.

The reasons for the adoption of Christianity followed from the close relations of the Russian state with the Byzantine state. He was associated with Russia by economic and cultural factors. In addition, in the Russian state there was already a community of Christians, which appeared long before the reign of Prince Vladimir.

The formation of Christianity in Russia took a long and painful time. Kiev adopted this religion immediately, but some cities did not want to part with paganism. Therefore, to introduce Christianity, violent measures had to be applied. Paganism did not completely die from the life of the inhabitants of Russia. The interweaving of these two directions has occurred. This is a feature of the Christian religion in the Russian state. The reasons for the adoption of Christianity in Russia were only a force that accelerated this process. Sooner or later, this was about to happen.


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