Tip 1: Who from Rurikovich first adopted Christianity

The science

Tip 1: Who from Rurikovich first adopted Christianity

The adoption of Christianity by the head of state was an important event for the political development of Rus. This strengthened ties with Byzantium - a potential partner of the nascent Russian state.

The Baptism of Princess Olga

Princess Olga became one of the most notablerulers among the Russian princes of the Early Middle Ages. The exact date of her birth is unknown, but, relying on the chronicles sources, historians refer to it by the end of the IX century. The origin of Olga is not known. Norman historians believe that Olga came from the Scandinavians, like the entire ruling elite of that time. Other authors defend the Slavic origin of Olga. In the beginning of the 10th century Olga became the wife of the ruling prince Igor. Later, after his death at the hands of the Drevlyans, Olga became a regent with her young son. As the ruler Olga had frequent contacts with Byzantium, in addition, some Christians lived on the territory of Russian lands.

The exact date when Olga's wedding was held is unknown. The information given in the chronicle of the beginning of the 10th century hardly corresponds to reality because of the age of their son.

Gradually, Olga began to decline to Christianity. It is not known whether this was dictated solely by personal motives, or whether politics was associated with its decision to change religion. Indirectly, personal choice is indicated by the fact that Olga did not take any serious measures to Christianize Rus - even her son and most of the environment remained pagans. Olga's baptism took place in 955 in Constantinople. In baptism, Olga adopted the Christian name Elena. According to the Russian chronicles, Olga was baptized personally by the Patriarch of Constantinople in the presence of the emperor. In Byzantine sources, Olga's visit was mentioned about these years, but without direct indication of baptism. Some Byzantine texts indicate that Olga was baptized in 957. In 969, Olga was buried according to the Christian rite, later her grandson Vladimir transferred the body to a newly built Desyatinnaya church.

Princess Olga was subsequently canonized by the Orthodox Church.

Christianity in the princely family after the baptism of Olga

After the adoption of Christianity as the first rulerPaganism remained dominant in the country and in the princely family. Svyatoslav, the son of Igor and Olga, according to annalistic information remained a pagan all his life. His older children, Yaropolk and Oleg, also retained the old faith. Christianity was established in Russia only with the coming to power of their younger brother, Prince Vladimir. Marriage with the Greek princess and baptism, he strengthened ties with Byzantium, and the subsequent spread of Christianity in Russia allowed the country to become more united from an ideological point of view.

Tip 2: Which country first adopted Christianity

For two thousand years, Christianity from the creeda small Jewish sect turned into a world religion. From which country did the spread of Christianity begin? How did this happen and what were the consequences?

Christianity has influenced world culture andart is stronger than any other religion and has contributed to the emergence of the modern Western world. Even the modern method of chronology is one of the consequences of the penetration of Christianity into world culture.

How Christianity Spread

For a long time, Christianity remained marginalizedthe course of Judaism. It arose in Palestine in the 1st century AD, spreading first among the local population as one of the currents of Judaism, which at that time was numerous. Already in the first half-century of its existence, Christianity became a popular dogma among the many ethnoses inhabiting the Roman Empire. This was greatly contributed by the followers of the new doctrine who traveled through the Roman Empire and the closest countries to it. According to tradition, the disciples of Jesus Christ dealt directly with the spread of the teachings. The active preachers of the new religion were not stopped even by persecution and the threat of the death penalty. Contrary to popular belief, the Roman Empire did not become the first Christian state, despite the fact that Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity shortly before his death and contributed to its spread in the country. The first was the Great Armenia.

However, the role of Rome in the spread of Christianity is very great. It was thanks to the size of the empire that the territory of the new religion's influence expanded so rapidly.

How Armenia accepted Christianity

Before Armenia accepted Christianity for a new religionlocal residents were more than wary. Christians, as well as those who helped them hide, were executed, since, according to the authorities, this doctrine could undermine the foundations of the state system and paganism. According to the Armenian tradition, the pagan king Trdat, who executed the holy virgin-ripsimeyanok after one of the they refused to become his wife, seriously ill from the shock caused by their execution. His sister Khosrovadukht saw in a dream that he could be healed only by the release from the prison of St. Gregory. After the liberated Gregory was received at the palace, the king was healed. The chapels were erected on the sites of the death of the virgin-ripsimeyonok. Impressed by these events, King Trdat accepted Christianity along with his entire country.

The church hierarchy is an Armenian invention. In every land subordinate to Trdat and his vassals, it was appointed by the bishop.

Thus, Great Armenia became the first Christian state, ahead of Rome, Greece and Ethiopia.

Tip 3: When Armenians adopted Christianity

Armenia had different names in its past- Ararat country, Ashkenazi state, Urartu. The most significant of the first references to Armenia is found in the Bible. After all, it is in the Bible that Noah found salvation from Mount Ararat.

Christianity in Armenia was adopted in 301,much earlier than in the Byzantine Empire and Greece. A huge contribution to the establishment of Christianity in the country was made by George the Enlightener, who became the first Catholicos of all Armenians.

The Apostolic Church

In honor of the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, the Armenianthe church was called the Apostolic, much later, when after the death of George the Illuminator he was ranked as a saint, his name was the Armenian church. It became known as the Armenian-Gregorian holy Apostolic Church. Tsar Trdat the Third Great was famous for being the persecutor of Christians before the adoption of Christianity. Having accepted the baptism, Trdat made a lot of efforts to spread Christianity throughout Armenia. By his order, all pagan sanctuaries were destroyed and Christian churches were built in their place. In 303, Etchmiadzin was built - the world-famous cathedral, which is now the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. In Etchmiadzin there is a synod for the election of the next Catholicos. Delegates of all Russian and foreign Armenian dioceses come here.

Alphabet for the Word of God

Mesrop Mashtots, who is revered by Christians asthe saint, in 404 from the birth of Christ created the first and only while the Armenian alphabet, at the time of its creation it was recognized as the most modern and it already used the classical style of writing - from left to right. Together with its followers Mashtots translated the Bible into Armenian, his book became known throughout the world as "The Queen of Translation" for the perfection of the translation of the original source. Mashtots, fulfilling his Christian duty, created an alphabet for Georgians and Caucasians Alanov. Now in Yerevan in the storehouse of ancient manuscripts named after Mashtots are stored more than 20 thousand manuscript texts, which Mashtots himself began to collect. This collection of manuscripts represents a great historical and cultural value for the peoples of the whole world.

The spread of the Armenian Church

In the Promised Land, that is, in the territorymodern Israel since the sixth century was built over seventy Armenian churches, and in 638 the Armenian Patriarchate was founded, which united and became the head of all the Eastern Orthodox dioceses. This is the Ethiopian, Syrian and Coptic dioceses. Nearly two thousand years a miracle happens every year - the convergence of the Holy Fire, which takes place on the eve of Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. From among the bishops of the Armenian-Gregorian holy Apostolic Church, a clergyman is elected annually, who will be entrusted to receive the Holy Fire.