Boris and Gleb

The holy brothers Boris and Gleb, in baptism Roman and David, are the first saints of Kyivan Rus’ after its baptism. Sons of the grand prince Vladimir, they were killed in 1015 by their brother Sviatopolk and are venerated as passion-⁠bearing princes, for they did not resist evil with violence. They are commemorated on 2 May, 24 July and 5 September.

Who they were

According to the two Lives of the eleventh century, ascribed to Nestor the Chronicler and the monk Jacob, they were the younger sons of Vladimir the Great, loved by him more than the others. About their mother the sources do not agree: some speak of a Bulgarian woman, others of the Byzantine princess Anna. Boris, married, ruled Rostov and was regarded as heir to the throne of Kiev; Gleb, still young, ruled Murom.

The death of Boris

When Vladimir died, in 1015, Boris was returning with the army from a campaign. Learning that Sviatopolk had taken the throne, he was urged to remove him, but he answered that he would not raise his hand against his elder brother and that, now that his father had gone, Sviatopolk should hold his father’s place in his heart. Sviatopolk nevertheless sent assassins. Boris was stabbed in his tent, while he slept, together with his servant George. The account says he was found still breathing as he was being carried towards Kiev, and the Varangians finished him with a sword. According to tradition he died on 24 July, on the river Alta.

The death of Gleb

Gleb, summoned by Sviatopolk, believed that his father was still alive and hurried to his deathbed. On the way their brother Yaroslav learned of the treachery and advised Gleb not to meet Sviatopolk. While Gleb prayed to God and for his murdered brother, he was stabbed by his own cook, Torchin, on 5 September, near Smolensk. Sviatopolk was later defeated by Yaroslav the Wise.

Veneration

The saints were buried at Vyshhorod, where a church was raised in their name, and were honoured first as healers, then as protectors of the Russian princes, called upon for help in battles and for the unity of the land. The moving of the relics to a new church in 1072 is regarded as the moment of their canonization, and the second moving, in 1115, gave the day of 2 May. Their Lives are among the oldest works of Russian literature. About the circumstances of their deaths historians still argue, and a Norse saga blames Yaroslav, but the Church honours them as those who chose meekness in place of the sword.