Russians Russian Princes Boris and Gleb, Roman and David, became the first Russian saints to be glorified by both the Russian and Constantinople Churches. They were the youngest sons of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and were born shortly before the Baptism of Rus. From an early age, the brothers were brought up in Christian piety, distinguished by meekness, mercy, and kindness of the heart. Boris loved to read the Holy Scriptures, the lives of saints and the works of the holy fathers, striving to imitate the exploits of saints of God. Gleb, who was brought up with his brother, shared his desire to serve God.
Even during the lifetime of Prince Vladimir, Boris received Rostov as his inheritance. While ruling his principality, he showed wisdom, took care of the establishment of the Orthodox faith and a pious life among his subjects. He was known not only as a gentle ruler, but also as a brave warrior. Shortly before his death, Vladimir summoned Boris to Kiev and sent him with an army against the Pechenegs. When the Grand Duke died, his eldest son Svyatopolk seized power in Kiev.
Upon learning of his father's death, Boris deeply grieved. The squad urged him to go to Kiev and take the grand ducal throne, but he refused to start an internecine struggle: "I will not raise my hand against my brother, and even against my eldest, whom I should consider my father." But Svyatopolk, fearing rivalry, sent assassins to Boris. The holy Prince knew about the danger, but he did not hide. On July 24, 1015, while praying in a tent on the banks of the Alta River, he was killed. His faithful servant Georgy Ugrin, who was trying to protect his master, died with him. Boris's body was secretly brought to Vyshgorod and laid in the Church of St. Basil the Great.
After that, Svyatopolk dealt with Gleb just as treacherously. He summoned him from Murom and sent him to meet the assassins. Gleb already knew about the death of his father and brother, but, like Boris, did not want to join the fratricidal war. He chose to accept death, remaining faithful to Christian love and humility.
The feat of Boris and Gleb is not a military victory, but a refusal to respond with evil to evil. For Russia, which had recently lived by the laws of blood feud, this was a new and difficult lesson. The Holy Brothers have shown that Christian love is above power, revenge, and earthly triumph. Their feat became a testimony to the truth of the gospel: "Whoever says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother is a liar" (1 John 4:20).
In 1019, Prince Yaroslav the Wise defeated Svyatopolk on the Alta River, where Boris was killed. Svyatopolk, nicknamed the Accursed One, fled and, according to the chroniclers, did not find peace until his death. And the blood of Boris and Gleb, shed to prevent internecine warfare, became a symbol of the spiritual unity of Russia.
The veneration of the holy princes began soon after their death. Yaroslav the Wise found the remains of Gleb and buried them next to the relics of Boris in Vyshgorod. Healings and miracles were performed from the relics of the saints. Later, temples and monasteries were built in their honor throughout Russia. Russians Russians Boris and Gleb are revered as special patrons and defenders of the Russian land, who appeared in difficult times of Russian history, including St. Alexander Nevsky and Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy.