The emergence of Christianity in the Kiev state

In ancient Russia, Christianity arose long before it became an official religion. However, at that time it was too widespread and, of course, could not compete with paganism.

At the same time, the religion of idolatry perceived the influence of other religions.

The prerequisites for the emergence of Christianity began to form during the development of trade with Greece. The new doctrine was given to the Slavs by Varangian druzhinniki and merchants, who often went to Tsargrad.

A lot of Christians were in the squad of the Russian prince Igor, his wife, St. Olga, was also a Christian. Gradually the new teaching began to spread. Thus, the emergence of Christianity in Russia is closely associated with the first Varangian princes.

Paganism was considered a very non-progressive form of religion in the early feudal Russian state. In this regard, Vladimir (Russian prince) took measures to ensure some correspondence between the political system and the religion of the country. Thus, paganism was reformed.

However, such reforms were not enough in the conditions of the early feudal state, which demanded the approval of a monotheistic religion, which would be connected with the power of the Grand Duke.

At that time in the Kiev state knew three such religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. In these conditions, Vladimir needed to choose a religion. Closest of all, of course, was Christianity. However, the difficulty was in choosing the direction. There was Eastern and Western Christianity. This question Prince Vladimir solved in conditions of quite appreciable diplomatic influence both from Constantinople and from Rome.

In all respects it was more profitable to cooperate with Constantinople (Byzantium). This was due in large part to long-established political and economic relations. As is known, the interaction between Kiev and Byzantium lasted for centuries, while the connection with Rome was rather weak. Thus, the emergence of Christianity as an official religion is associated with Byzantine influence.

It should be noted, however, that not all the population of the Kyiv state immediately became Orthodox. At that time, the emergence of Christianity was associated with some violence against the population. As a result, several contradictory and dissimilar religions were formed in the state. All these trends hindered the process of formal Christianization of the local population in many regions of the country. Thus, the emergence of Christianity did not hasten the elimination of paganism as a religion. On the contrary, idolatry existed for some centuries.

Since the moment of giving Christianity the status of official religion, the church began to introduce measures to strengthen and develop the organizational system.

The church head was the Kiev Metropolitan. The conduct of church affairs in the major cities involved the bishops. They ruled large areas - dioceses. At first there were five of these districts, then they became about fifteen.

The emergence of Christianity in the Kiev state did not provoke political subordination to Constantinople. Did not have full power of Byzantium and in the religious sphere. However, until the 13th century, bishops and metropolitans were, as a rule, Greeks. But they depended entirely on the prince of Kiev. At the same time, every prince, within his domains, aspired to have his bishop in the capital.

At first the church was in princely content. Subsequently, in connection with the expansion of the organizational structure, there were other sources of income.

Developing and relying on material benefits, the church received a great influence not only on the way of life of the population, but also on the political and economic life of the country.