The Holy Grand Prince Vladimir (Volodymyr), Equal-to-the-Apostles, Named Basil at Holy Baptism (1015); Holy Martyrs Cyricus and Julitta, His Mother
Galatians 1:11-19; John 10:1-8
All-Night Vigil Feast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy
Read Galatians 1:11-19
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Vladimir. In today’s reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Paul confesses that he “persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (1:13) before God called him to reveal His Son in him that he “might preach Him among the Gentiles” (1:16).
Before converting to Christianity, St. Vladimir promoted devotion to pagan gods and goddesses. The Tale of Bygone Years, a text traditionally attributed to St. Nestor who died in the early 12th century, tells a story that before Vladimir was baptised in Kherson, he had developed a serious eye disease. Upon his baptism, he received not only spiritual healing but also the physical healing of his eyes. Similarly, Paul had been blinded by his vision of Christ on the road to Damascus. He received back his sight when Ananias laid his hands on him just before being baptised. Parallels are drawn between both of these men, and it was upon their baptism that they came to live pious, Christian lives. Having sight to see physical things is one thing, but it is a far greater thing to see spiritual things through the eyes of faith.
Both Paul and Vladimir experienced powerful conversions which led to many others acquiring faith in Christ. No matter what kinds of lives we live, we always have the opportunity to transform them and share our faith with others. Faith in Christ is transformative – not only to us personally but also to those around us. Paul spread the faith among the Gentiles, and Vladimir spread the faith among the pagans of Kyivan-Rus’. Our faith will not only change our own lives personally but also impact the lives of those around us.