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Document Details :

Title: De intrede van Rusland in de christelijke wereld volgens de oudste bronnen
Author(s): VAN DEN BERCKEN, Wil
Journal: Journal of Eastern Christian Studies
Volume: 47    Issue: 3-4   Date: 1995   
Pages: 183-212
DOI: 10.2143/JECS.47.3.2003135

Abstract :
Although the conversion of Kievan Russia was a major step in the rise of a 'Christian Europe', general European histories of the Church tend to overlook this fact. The article analyses the way Kievan Russia came to Christianity according to the Nestor Chronicle. It discusses the meaning pf the story of the 'examination of the faiths' by Vladimir of Kiev. Although this story is largely legendary, it demonstrates a unique religious consciousness which is not to be found in other European christianization stories dating back to the Middle Ages. The Russian Chronicle is compared to other sources which mention the conversion of Kievan Russia: Latin, Arabic and Byzantine chronicles. The lack of information on the conversion of the Russians in Byzantine sources is remarkable and shows the ambivalent attitude of the Byzantines towards their northern Christian neighbours. Finally, the place of the Cyrillo-Methodian tradition in the conversion of Kievan Russia is briefly sketched.