The monument to Prince Vladimir is one of the city symbols. Majestic figure of Great Kiev Prince who baptized the Kievans in 988 is placed high on a hill over Dnieper. Especially for the construction of the monument the whole hill and its slopes were reinforced, drainage works and terraces were made, bushes and trees were planted. According to the legends and chronicles the baptism was organized at the bottom of this hill in the waters of the Dnieper. All details of the monuments are very symbolic: the pedestal is made in the shape of a chapel, the Prince is dressed as a priest, he has a great cross in his right hand and the prince’s crown in the left one, the pedestal is also adorned with the bas-relief "Baptism of Rus" and Kiev’s Coat-of-Arms – Archangel Michael. Also it has regalia of Saint Vladimir’s order, which are stars and crosses, the symbols of baptizing with fire and sword. One can also fins 4 letters: «СРКВ» - that is abbreviation of the full title “Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir”. But that is how he is referred to by the church. In legends, tales, poetry he is called “Vladimir the Red Sun”, his image is now presented like a very kind and wise man, full of compassion and love. In reality his life was not so ideal.
Prince Vladimir was born in 958 and after the death of his father Prince Sviatoslav he made his way from Novgorod to Kiev’s throne with fire, a sword and blood. When he returned to Kiev (980) he strengthened all Pagan symbols, he greatly enlarged the territory of the Kievan Rus State, under his rule all East-Slavic lands were subordinated to Kiev. Gradually he understood that only one unifying religion could help him to rule this big country. It was not easy to choose the right religion. The chronicles say that he sent his envoys throughout the civilized world to judge firsthand the major religions of the time - Islam, Judaism, and Byzantine Orthodoxy. The envoys were most impressed with their visit to Constantinople, saying, "We knew not whether we were in Heaven or on Earth. We only know that God dwells there among the people, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations". Vladimir was baptized in Chersonesus (Crimea) taking the Christian name of Basil (Vasilyi), upon returning to Kiev in triumph, he destroyed pagan monuments and started the construction of Christian temples.
The introduction of Christianity to the Kievan Rus is difficult to overestimate; it opened the doors to Europe, started a new epoch in culture and education. Prince Vladimir died at the age of 57 in 1015 (15 July). There is no exact date when he was canonized, presumably it was at the end of the 13th -beginning of the 14thcc. After the Tartar-Mongol invasion. Some documents declare that he was canonized in Novgorod and for the first time his name as a name of a Saint was mentioned in 1254. Due to the fact that he lived before the schism of the Christianity (1054) he is worshiped by Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the feast day of St. Vladimir on 15 July (28 July acc. to new calendar). There are many monuments to him in Russia and Ukraine, also one can find monuments to him in London, in Toronto and in Brisbane (Australia)
