Russians Russian Princes Boris and Gleb, Roman and David, became the first Russian saints to be canonized by the Russian and Constantinople Churches. They were the youngest sons of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, and from childhood they were raised in Christian piety.
Boris received a good education, loved to read the Holy Scriptures, the works of the holy fathers and the lives of saints of God. His brother Gleb shared the desire to devote his life to serving God. Both princes were distinguished by their mercy, meekness, and concern for the poor and destitute.
During his father's lifetime, Boris was given control of the Rostov Principality, where he took care of strengthening the Orthodox faith and became famous as a wise ruler and a brave warrior. Shortly before his death, Prince Vladimir sent him with an army against the Pechenegs. During the campaign, Boris learned of his father's death and that Svyatopolk, who was in Kiev, had declared himself the Grand Duke.
The squad offered Boris to go to Kiev and take the throne, but he refused to start an internecine war: "I will not raise my hands against my brother, and even against my eldest." Boris dismissed the army, but Svyatopolk, fearing his popular support, sent assassins to him.
On July 24, 1015, Prince Boris was assassinated while praying in a tent on the banks of the Alta River. He knew about the impending crime, but did not hide or resist. Before his death, the prince prayed for the forgiveness of his murderers and peace for his brother. His body was secretly buried in Vyshgorod, in the church of St. Basil the Great.
Soon Svyatopolk dealt with Gleb in the same way. He summoned his brother from Murom and sent assassins to meet him. After learning about his father's death and Boris's death, Gleb also chose to accept death rather than take up arms against his older brother. He was killed near Smolensk, at the mouth of the Smyadyn River.
Boris and Gleb's feat was to refuse to respond with evil to evil. In an era when blood feud was considered a natural duty, the holy brothers showed a different, Christian path — the path of love, humility and sacrifice. They did not seek to save their lives at the cost of a fratricidal war and sacrificed themselves for the sake of peace on Russian soil.
In 1019, Prince Yaroslav the Wise defeated Svyatopolk's army in a decisive battle near the Alta River, on the very spot where Boris died. Svyatopolk, nicknamed the Accursed by the people, fled and soon died. The chronicler testifies that after this, internecine strife stopped in Russia for a while.
The veneration of Boris and Gleb began soon after their martyrdom. Yaroslav the Wise found the remains of Gleb and buried them next to the relics of Boris in Vyshgorod. Numerous healings and miracles were performed from the relics of the saints. In 1026, a five-domed stone church was consecrated at the place of their burial.
Saints Boris and Gleb became revered as heavenly patrons and defenders of the Russian land. Legend connects their help with the most important events in Russian history, including the Battle of the Ice and the Battle of Kulikovo. Temples and monasteries were built in many cities of Russia in their honor.
The blood of the holy brothers, shed to prevent internecine warfare, has become a symbol of the spiritual unity of the people. Through their feat, Boris and Gleb testified that true strength lies not in the struggle for power, but in faithfulness to Christ's commandments, love for one's neighbor and willingness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of peace.