Icon of Saint Vladimir of Russia - 00SVRO01

Feast Day/Commemorated: July 15

In his early life, St. Vladimir Svyatoslavich was a devout pagan and a formidable conqueror who expanded his lands, maintained many wives, and erected numerous pagan idols across Kievan Rus'. Upon discovering that other major religions existed beyond his pagan traditions, St. Vladimir sought to discern the true faith on Earth. He dispatched envoys across the known world to observe the religious practices of various cultures, including Muslims, Jews, and Western Catholics, though none of these initial encounters left a favorable impression on his representatives.

Everything changed when the prince's envoys arrived in Constantinople and experienced the Divine Liturgy at the Hagia Sophia. Overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of the Eastern Christian worship, the envoys reported that they "no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth." Moved by their profound testimony, St. Vladimir embraced Eastern Orthodoxy and led the historic baptism of himself and the entire nation of Kievan Rus', laying the spiritual foundation for present-day Ukraine and Russia.

Following his baptism, St. Vladimir underwent a complete personal and political transformation. He renounced his former pagan lifestyle, put away his former wives to live with a single spouse, and sought to govern with mercy and foster peace with neighboring lands. Throughout his realm, St. Vladimir ordered the destruction of pagan idols and replaced them with Christian churches, dedicating his reign to cultivating the Orthodox faith among his people.

Commemorated annually on July 15, St. Vladimir (c. 958–1015) is venerated as the Baptizer of Rus' and the spiritual heir to his grandmother, St. Olga. Hymns of the Church compare St. Vladimir's conversion to that of the Apostle Paul, praising him as a merchant who sought fine pearls and found Christ—the ultimate priceless pearl. His enduring legacy lived on not only through his realm's Christianization, but also through his sons, Sts. Boris and Gleb, who became the first canonized saints of the Russian lands.

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Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard  mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth.  Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.