Boris and Gleb

Sons of Vladimir, Boris and Gleb were two of four brothers, princes of Kiev, and practising Christians.  They were opposed by their evil brother Svyatopolk who wanted to seize all royal power.

Boris learned about Svyatopolk's plants to exterminate his siblings, but would not allow his soldiers to fight against his brother.  After reflection and prayer he sent his trooped await and waited quietly in prayer, speaking to God of the emptiness of worldly power and wealth and asking for a spirit of holy suffering.  He was killed at the river Alta by spear and sword in 1015 c.e.

The same year, younger brother Gleb was called at the Dnieper River.  Svyatopolk had rquested a meeting but he and his men ambushed Gleb on the way there.  He asked the troops to spare his life, but to no avail.  He died by a stab in the throat by his own traitorous cook!

The record says that both brothers prayed for (1) forgiveness of Svyatopol, (2) acceptance of an unjust death in emulation of Jesus' acceptance of his unjust death, and (3) acknowledgement of Jesus' prediction that one's own kinsmen and friends would commit betrayal.

In 1020 the other brother Yaroslav invaded Kiev, drove out Svyatopolk who died fleeing to Poland. Then this brother, though not a Christian, ordered exhumation of Boris and Gleb in order to have a proper funeral consistent with their faith.  Their bodies were found to be incorrupt and were translated to Saint Basil's near Kiev.  At first the Greek Metropolitan hesitated because the heroes were neither ascetics, teachers, clergy, nor actually martryed for their faith.  But he came to realize that Boris and Gleb were "passion bearers" who had renounced violence and been sacrificed in the spirit of Christ.   They were soon canonized, first in the East, then in the West.