Years of reign: 1015-1019
From the biography
- Svyatopolk is the son of Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich, who was killed in the battle with Vladimir. However, Vladimir the Saint considered him his son. Chroniclers call Svyatopolk the son of two fathers.
- He ruled in Rus' for only a few years, but went down in the history of the country as the Damned. Why did he get this nickname?
- Accursed - from the word “curse”, that is, to curse, to reject. In 1015, in order to ascend the Kiev throne, he killed his rivals, the brothers Boris and Gleb, who in the future would be the first saints in Rus'. Brother Svyatoslav, who reigned in the Drevlyan land, was also killed.
- It is not known for certain where Svyatopolk died. The chronicle testifies that after the battle with Yaroslav in 1019 on the Alta River, he fled and died somewhere between Poland and the Czech Republic.
Areas of activity and results
| Activities | results |
| The struggle for the throne with his father and brothers, the desire to gain a foothold on the Kiev throne. | Start 11 century - Svyatopolk openly opposes father - Vladimir, for which he was even sent to prison, from which his father freed him shortly before his death. Immediately after the death of Vladimir, he strives to seize the Kiev throne, bribing the people of Kiev with gifts. The most terrible means of coming to power was the murder of the brothers Boris and Gleb. In 1016, On the Listven River, his brother Yaroslav won a victory over Svyatopolk. Svyatopolk fled to Poland. 1017 - Svyatoslav, supported by the Polovs and Poles (son-in-law Boleslav 1 the Brave), wins, again seizing the throne. 1019 - in the battle on the Alta River, Svyatopolk was defeated and soon died. Power passed to Yaroslav the Wise. |
| Usage dynastic marriage to strengthen power | He was married to the daughter of the Polish king Boleslav 1 the Brave. More than once he used the help of his father-in-law to strengthen his position on the Kiev throne, using the support of the Polish army. |
RESULTS OF ACTIVITY
- Prince Svyatopolk the Accursed, being on the Kiev throne for a total of about 4 years, pursued only one goal - to gain a foothold on it, he was the Grand Duke.
- The chronicle does not contain descriptions of any significant actions of the prince that would be aimed at strengthening the state and its power. Just battles for power, conspiracies, murders.
- To achieve his goal, Svyatopolk did not disdain to use any means: he opposed Father Vladimir the Saint, and killed three of his brothers. Svyatopolk remained in the memory of the people only as the Accursed One, despised by the people, a sinner, an outcast.
Chronology of the life and activities of Svyatopolk
| OK. 979-1019 | Years of Svyatopolk's life. |
| 1015-10161018-1019 | The Great Reign on the Kiev throne. |
| OK. 1013-104 | Marriage with the Polish princess, daughter of King Boleslav 1 the Brave-Emgilda (died in 1018) |
| Around 1013 | Preparation of a conspiracy against Vladimir with the aim of seizing power. The plot was discovered, he and his wife were imprisoned and were released shortly before Vladimir’s death. |
| 1015 | Murder of Boris' brothers. Gleb, Svyatoslav. |
| 1016 | Defeat in battle near Lyubeche with Yaroslav. |
| 1018 | Battle on R. Bug Svyatopolk's troops, mostly Polish and Pecheneg, and Yaroslav the Wise. Victory of Svyatopolk. Obtaining the Great Reign for another year. |
| 1019 | Battle on R. Alte. Victory of Yaroslav. The flight of Yaropolk to Poland, the death of the abandoned prince. |
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August 6 is the Day of Remembrance of the first Russian holy great martyrs, princes Boris and Gleb, who were killed by their elder brother Svyatopolk, later nicknamed the Accursed. Did Svyatopolk really kill his brothers, or is he just a victim in the bloody plan of Yaroslav the Wise? These and many other questions will be answered by an expert on the history of Russian Orthodox Church Alexey SVETOSARSKY. The event is held as part of the “Beware of History!” project, organized by the agency“RIA Novosti”, radio station “Echo of Moscow” and newspaper “Izvestia”.
Introduction: Hello, my dear respondents. Thank you for your questions. I am very glad that these historical events associated with the names of the holy noble princes and passion-bearers Boris and Gleb have aroused such keen interest. The fact is that Boris and Gleb are not only the first Russian saints, we will talk about this later, but also heroines who showed such a unique image of holiness as passion-bearing, characteristic of the tradition of Russian piety. Now let's get to the questions.
Andrey, Moscow: Why did Svyatopolk flee to Poland? Why did the Polish king support him and help the exile regain the Kiev throne?
Alexey Svetozarsky: The fact is that Svyatopolk was forced to flee to Poland, because he was faced with the very active actions of Yaroslav, who, like a banner, raised the names of the brothers killed by Svyatopolk and began the fight for the Kiev throne under the slogan of sacred revenge. That is why Svyatopolk, having been defeated in the battle of Lubich, had to flee to Poland, where he received the support of Boleslav the Brave, the Polish king, who was his father-in-law. Boleslav, an extremely active politician who fought for the Czech Republic with the German emperor, who at one time fought with Prince Vladimir, did not fail to take advantage of the situation, especially since he had every reason for this (helping a close relative). Boleslav sent the Pechenegs to Kyiv, and Yaroslav barely fought off this raid. Then Yaroslav, in alliance with Emperor Henry II, advanced to the Polish border, but failed.
In 1017, Boleslav captured Kyiv, and Yaroslav had to retreat in haste. Poles, Germans, Hungarians and Pechenegs, finding themselves in Kyiv, caused dissatisfaction with the people of Kiev with their behavior, an uprising began in the city and Boleslav left. Perhaps the uprising was provoked by Svyatopolk, who was burdened by her father-in-law’s prolonged stay in Kyiv. After this, Svyatopolk’s luck turned away; he was defeated on the Alta River in 1019. And then he ran. According to various sources, he either died from his wounds in Brest, or was killed by the Varangian Eymund from Yaroslav’s squad, or, as ours believes, ancient chronicle(“The Tale of Bygone Years”), died an evil death somewhere between Poland and Bohemia.
Vladimir, Moscow: At school, everyone learns lessons from history for themselves. What lesson can we learn from the story of Svyatopolk the Accursed?
Alexey Svetozarsky: Our ancestors already learned a lesson from the story of Svyatopolk the Accursed. The images of the princes he killed, the patrons of the princely family, and holy relatives for many years served as a bright ideal of the Gospel attitude to politics. But not only. The Russian princes perceived them as their special prayer books. Suffice it to recall the appearance of Boris and Gleb Pelgusia on the eve of the battle with the Swedes. The feat illuminated the existing order government system, based on generic principles. And the example of Svyatopolk the Accursed (similar to the biblical fratricide Cain) became a warning for other princes. The veneration of Boris and Gleb became a unifying principle for our ancestors, who were going through a period of feudal fragmentation; their relics were an all-Russian shrine, while most of the ascetics of that time were revered only locally, in certain regions and principalities.
Svetlana, Moscow: Where did the confidence come from that Svyatopolk killed Boris and Gleb? Many historians come to the conclusion that Yaroslav the Wise did it.
Alexey Svetozarsky: Based on historical sources, I cannot agree with the assumption that Boris and Gleb were killed on the initiative of Yaroslav the Wise. There is absolutely no reason for this. Moreover, Sergei Mikhailovich Solovyov, not without reason, claims that at that time Yaroslav was extremely interested in Boris remaining alive and actively acting against Svyatopolk.
Let me remind you that before Vladimir’s death, Yaroslav was in a protracted conflict with him. And after the death of his father, he faced a very strong opponent in the person of Svyatopolk. Therefore, it is natural that he hoped for a long struggle between Boris and Svyatopolk.
Marina, Moscow: Unfortunately, this was the first time I heard this name – Svyatopolk. Tell me, why do teachers pay so little attention to the history of ancient Rus', and how would this study benefit us?
Alexey Svetozarsky: In my opinion, indeed, in the school course of Russian history the study Ancient Rus' not much attention and time is given. But I believe that here a lot depends on the personality of the teacher; it is no coincidence that many of us who studied history in high school also in Soviet times, when very little space was devoted to the study of Russian history, including the history of Ancient Rus', before the Mongol period, they nevertheless know this instructive story about the first Russian saints and their insidious killer.
Undoubtedly, I agree with you that a more detailed study of the history of the pre-Mongol period benefited us, since civilization Kievan Rus was the basis of the civilization of three fraternal Orthodox East Slavic peoples - Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian, and those peoples who linked their historical destiny with them. It was during this period that the foundations of our mentality and many archetypes of national consciousness were formed.
Vladislav, Moscow: Was it beneficial for Svyatopolk and Yaroslav to benefit their brothers Boris and Gleb? Why then is much blame placed on Svyatopolk?
Alexey Svetozarsky: The fact is that, according to historical sources, it was Svyatopolk who carried out the fratricidal plan. Undoubtedly, Saint Boris was a very strong competitor for Yaroslav. But circumstances developed in such a way that Yaroslav acted as an avenger for his brothers in accordance with the concepts of family revenge characteristic of that time.
Yuri, Moscow: Were fratricidal feuds typical of Rus'? Is there a trend visible here?
Alexey Svetozarsky: Fratricidal feuds were characteristic, of course, not only of Ancient Rus'. It can be assumed that Svyatopolk could well be guided by the example of his neighbors - his father-in-law Borislav the Brave, who expelled his younger brothers from Poland, and even blinded one relative, and Borislav the Red, who castrated his brother in Bohemia and tried to kill another brother. The struggle for power between princes-brothers or close relatives (uncle-nephew, father-son) was characteristic of the period of feudal fragmentation.
But it is important to note something else. In Rus', the sin of unbrotherly love has always been condemned by the church and the people's consciousness. This idea is especially emphasized in such a wonderful work of ancient Russian literature as “Reading about Boris and Gleb,” the author of which is Nestor the Chronicler. This idea is constantly present in the public consciousness, and the example of Boris and Gleb, who abandoned internecine struggle for the sake of their Christian beliefs, plays an important role here. Moreover, our ancestors from among the bookish people perceived Batu’s invasion as a punishment sent from above precisely for the princely strife.
It is important to note one more point - in those days, state unity was just taking shape, so residents of other regions, representing the opposing side, were perceived almost as foreigners. In the eyes of the southerners, these were the Novgorodians, and in the eyes of the Novgorodians, the Kievans. In this, undoubtedly, the influence of the tribal system was felt.
Oleg, Moscow: Why is Svyatopolk called the son of Yaropolk in some sources, and the son of Vladimir in others?
Alexey Svetozarsky: The question of Svyatopolk’s paternity is touched upon only in one chronicle fragment, where the damned fratricide, to aggravate the negative characteristics, is called the son of two fathers. But this is more of a rhetorical device. The fact is that Svyatopolk’s mother, Greek by origin, was the widow of Yaropolk, Vladimir’s unsuccessful rival, and was the latter taken as a wife after his rival brother, that is, Yaropolk, lost. From this marriage of Vladimir with the widow of Yaropolk, Svyatopolk was born.
Michael: What is the role of Svyatopolk in history? Do you think he is a typical ruler of the period of feudal fragmentation?
Alexey Svetozarsky: I believe that Svyatopolk presented a negative example of a ruler who transgresses moral commandments on the way to the throne. Unfortunately, such phenomena were not uncommon. But in contrast to the truly bright images of Boris and Gleb, Svyatopolk looks especially negative. The fact that the tragic events unfolded in a special period of our history - at the dawn of Christianity among the first and second generations of Russian Christians, who interpreted modern events through the prism of the new evangelical teaching, also played a role.
Undoubtedly, in this coordinate system, Svyatopolk should have received the most negative assessment, as is clearly evidenced by his nickname - the Damned, like Cain. Of course, to some extent his actions are typical, as well as the actions of many other rulers of the period of feudal fragmentation. But in the struggle for the throne, he goes further than many, intending to destroy all potential rivals. Let us recall that Svyatopolk was responsible for the death of another brother, Svyatoslav, who fled from his inheritance and died somewhere in the Carpathian region.
Alexander, Moscow: How do you feel about the version according to which it is not Svyatopolk the Accursed who is actually to blame for the death of Boris, but Yaroslav the Wise, who later disguised his participation in the murder? The death of his brothers was even more beneficial to him than to Svyatopolk. One more thing. St. Petersburg University professor Osip Senkovsky, having translated “Eymund’s Saga” (“Eymund’s Strand”) into Russian, discovered there that the Varangian Eymund (who killed Boris according to the Russian version) and his squad were hired by Yaroslav the Wise. The saga tells how King Yarisleif (Yaroslav) fights with King Burisleif (Boris), and in the saga Burisleif is killed by the Varangians by order of Yarisleif. Some researchers suggest Boris under the name “Burisleif”, others - the Polish king Boleslav, whom the saga confuses with his ally Svyatopolk).
Alexey Svetozarsky: I wouldn't trust a genre like saga. Still, this is a work of a special kind, especially since the author of the question himself notes obvious contradictions here. As an analogue, I will give as an example the presentation of the story of the baptism of Prince Vladimir in another Byzantine saga - the Saga of Olaf, which differs significantly from the versions given in Russian and foreign sources (Western European, Byzantine and Arabic). And one more analogy. Turning to oral folk art in terms of studying Russian history would lead to the fact that you and I would study the history of Prince Vladimir and his era, for example, according to the Russian heroic epic, which contains many funny anachronisms, not noticed by the popular consciousness, but obvious to the historian . For example, Prince Vladimir fights the Tatar-Mongols and so on.
Svetlana, Moscow: When and, most importantly, why did Boris and Gleb become the first Russian saints and heavenly helpers of Russian princes? How was their holiness demonstrated? After all, they did not die defending Christianity and were killed by Christians, not pagans. By this time, there were already enough Russian princes who died in battles with the “filthy”, and for some reason they were not “promoted” to saints.
Alexey Svetozarsky: Boris and Gleb are not martyrs who suffered for Christ, although they were called such. But they are passion-bearers who put following the commandments of the Gospel above all earthly interests, including political ones. This is the highest ideal, its bearers are always few. Our ancestors felt this very sensitively, who soon after the painful death of the brothers began to venerate them as saints, which led to a fairly quick canonization (either in the 20s of the 11th century, or in 1072).
Another important point– the criterion for canonization was not only their selfless act, but also the numerous miracles performed at their holy relics and recorded by their contemporaries. In those days, it was the presence of miracles that was the main criterion for glorification as a saint. Due to the lack of miracles, Prince Vladimir, Princess Olga, Saint Isaiah of Rostov and some other ascetics who were distinguished by their righteous lives and had undoubted services to the church and the Christian people were not canonized for a very long time.
Among the examples of passion-bearers, one can cite the unique case of Saint Michael of Chernigov, who consciously refused to perform ritual actions at Batu’s headquarters. There were few such people; most Russian princes accepted (were forced to accept) etiquette based on pagan superstitions at the headquarters of the Mongol khans. But, nevertheless, each of them understood that, ideally, only Mikhail truly acted.
From the history of princely holiness, cases of sacrificial service are also known (it was sacrifice, and not the fact of death on the battlefield or at the enemy’s headquarters, that was considered the criterion of holiness), such princes as Mikhail Tverskoy, Georgy Vladimirsky, Vasilko Rostovsky and others. But this is a different era, although, undoubtedly, the memory of Boris and Gleb played a certain role in this.
Final word: I express my gratitude to all my correspondent interlocutors, thanks to whom I again turned to this old and instructive story that happened at the dawn of our national history and at the beginning of the history of our holiness. Thank you.
Vladimir Svyatoslavich began his princely “career” as an insidious, vengeful pagan, but later, having established himself in power, he managed to do so much useful for Rus' that his memory remained as the Red Sun. His heir was not like that - the people called him the Damned. For what “feats” did the Russians reward Vladimir’s successor with such an unflattering name for centuries?
After the death of Vladimir, the throne should have gone to either Boris or Gleb - one of Vladimir’s favorite sons. But besides his beloved children, the Grand Duke had an adopted nephew - Svyatopolk. It was his father who was killed by Vladimir before taking the Kiev throne.
Svyatopolk, of course, could not experience friendly feelings for his stepfather. And Vladimir reciprocated his feelings, although he tried to do everything he could for his nephew. Svyatopolk believed that he had the right to become the Grand Duke - instead of his own father, destroyed by Vladimir. And he began to act as soon as the death of Vladimir Svyatoslavich was announced.
Svyatopolk decided to destroy all possible competitors. Boris was his first victim. While in Kyiv, Svyatopolk was one of the first to learn about the death of the head of state and sent hired killers to Boris. Boris was informed by loyal people that an assassination attempt was being prepared on him, but he did not speak out against his brother. He believed: there would be no strife, Svyatopolk would now become all the brothers instead of a father. But he was cruelly mistaken. Four mercenaries ended his life while he was praying. The people of Kiev believed that Boris could become a kind, fair ruler: he was distinguished by a calm disposition, possessed wisdom and courage.
Svyatopolk's next victim was his second brother, Gleb. He was in Murom and still knew nothing about the death of his father. Svyatopolk deceived him by sending a messenger with the news that Vladimir was sick and wanted to see him. Gleb went out with a small detachment, but on the way he was met by envoys from another brother, Yaroslav, who told the truth.
Gleb did not have time to mourn his father and brother: he was also killed. The next of the brothers, Svyatoslav, having heard about the atrocities of Svyatopolk, decided to flee to Hungary. However, the killer's hand overtook him.
So Svyatopolk ended up on the throne. With a generous hand, he distributed gifts to the people of Kiev, but the people treated him with hostility.
Invasion of the Poles
Now Svyatopolk had only one serious opponent left - Yaroslav, who was in Novgorod. Yaroslav was at a loss: he had just dealt with the Novgorodians, who rebelled against the Varangians who served in the princely squad. These Varangians caused unrest in the city and robbed civilians. Yaroslav needed support, because he understood that Svyatopolk would sooner or later get to him. But he turned the residents of Novgorod against himself, and therefore could not count on their help. However, he still had to take a risk: he gathered the Novgorodians and told them about the atrocities of Svyatopolk. The Novgorodians were so shocked that they decided to help Yaroslav in the fight against his bloodthirsty brother.
Yaroslav and the Novgorodians set out on a campaign, defeated Svyatopolk, and he fled to Poland. It would seem that the threat has passed. Yaroslav became the new Grand Duke, who began to gradually delve into state affairs. But then a new disaster struck Rus': the Polish king Boleslav the Brave, supported by Svyatopolk, set out on a campaign against Kievan Rus.
Boleslav took cities one after another. He was an experienced warrior and a talented strategist, so he succeeded without great losses. Yaroslav took refuge in Novgorod. Not knowing what to do, the future prince Yaroslav the Wise intended to leave everything and run to the Varangians. He did not hope that he would be able to cope with the Poles, and was already in despair.
But he was helped by the Novgorod boyars, who did not want to see a foreigner on the grand-ducal throne and were disgusted by the fratricide Svyatopolk. They collected money and an army, and Yaroslav hired a squad of Varangians, and together they opposed the Poles and Svyatopolk.
Meanwhile, Boleslav, having occupied Kyiv, began to behave like a sole ruler, which Svyatopolk did not like. And this latter, acting in his “best traditions,” began, through loyal people, to destroy the Poles who were in Kyiv.
Discord in the enemy camp played into Yaroslav's hands. The brothers met in battle at the very place where the assassins sent by Svyatopolk ended the life of Prince Boris. After a long battle, Svyatopolk fled. Svyatopolk’s luck completely turned away: he suddenly fell ill and was immobilized. The vigilantes managed to deliver him to the Bohemian desert lands, where he died.
The end of the reign of Svyatopolk the Accursed
What did Svyatopolk do for Rus'? He did not perform any glorious deeds in his life. On the contrary, only murders, insidious ones at that, committed at the hands of mercenaries, are remembered by the people. He brought only discord and pain native land. Burned only by a thirst for power and revenge on the sons of Vladimir, he gave Russian cities to be desecrated and plundered by foreigners.
The short reign of Svyatopolk the Accursed ended with inglorious exile and death in a foreign land.
Svyatopolk Vladimirovich(baptized Peter, in ancient Russian historiography nicknamed “The Accursed”, c. 979-1019) - Prince of Turov (from 988, the first of the Rurik family), Grand Duke Kyiv in 1015-1016 and 1018-1019.
Prince Svyatopolk Vladimirovich planned to exterminate all the sons of Vladimir and take possession of their inheritance. First, the people he sent killed Prince of Rostov on the Alta River while he was praying, then near Smolensk the killers overtook Prince of Murom. Boris and Gleb, beloved sons, were distinguished by their extraordinary kindness and Christian piety. The Church recognized them as Saints.
Then Svyatoslav Drevlyansky was killed. After the massacre of relatives, Prince Svyatopolk Vladimirovich received the nickname “ Damned».
Having learned about the murder of the brothers, (in the future the Wise), with the support of the Novgorodians and Varangian warriors, went to war against Svyatopolk. Both troops met on the Dnieper. Yaroslav attacked when Svyatopolk was feasting with his soldiers, pushed his army to the lake, on which there was still thin ice, and many of Svyatopolk’s soldiers drowned. Svyatopolk the Accursed fled to Poland for the help of his father-in-law.
With the support of Polish and Pecheneg soldiers, in 1017 Svyatopolk the Accursed won the throne and fled back to Novgorod. When the Poles left Kyiv, Yaroslav again attacked Svyatopolk. Yaroslav won the battle on the Alta River, and Prince Svyatopolk the Accursed, wounded, fled to Poland and along the road, abandoned by everyone, died in 1019.
From “The Tale of Bygone Years.”
Svyatopolk sat in Kyiv after the death of his father , and called the people of Kiev and began to give them gifts. They took it, but their hearts did not lie to him, because their brothers were with Boris. When Boris had already returned with his army, not finding the Pechenegs, the news came to him: “Your father has died.” And he cried bitterly for his father, because he was loved by his father more than anyone else, and stopped when he reached Alta. His father’s squad told him: “Here you have your father’s squad and army. Go and sit in Kyiv on your father’s table.” He answered: “I will not raise my hand against my elder brother: if my father died, then let this one be my father instead.” Hearing this, the soldiers dispersed from him. Boris remained standing with only his youths. Meanwhile, Svyatopolk, filled with lawlessness, accepted Cain’s thought and sent to tell Boris: “I want to have love with you and will give you more to the property received from my father,” but he himself deceived him in order to somehow destroy him. Svyatopolk came to Vyshgorod at night, secretly called Putsha and the Vyshgorod boyars and said to them: “Are you devoted to me with all your heart?” Putsha and the Vyshgorod residents answered: “We agree to lay down our heads for you.” Then he told them: “Without telling anyone, go and kill my brother Boris.” They promised him to immediately fulfill this. Solomon said about such people: “They hasten to unrighteously shed blood. For they take part in the shedding of blood and bring misfortune upon themselves. Such are the ways of all who commit iniquity, for by wickedness they take away their soul.” Those sent came to Alta at night, and when they came closer, they heard Boris singing matins, since the news had already come to him that they were going to destroy him. And, getting up, he began to sing: “Lord! Why have my enemies multiplied! Many rise up against me” (Ps. 3:2); and again: “For your arrows have pierced me; for I am ready for troubles, and my sorrow... is before me” (Ps. 37:3); and he also said: “Lord! Hear my prayer... and do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living will be justified before You, since the enemy is persecuting my soul” (Ps. 143:1-3). And, having finished the sixth psalm and seeing that those sent to kill him had come, he began to sing psalms: “The fat bulls surrounded me... A crowd of evil ones surrounded me” (Ps. 22:13, 17); “Lord my God, I trust in You, save me and deliver me from all my persecutors” (Ps. 7:2). Then he began to sing the canon. And then, having finished Matins, he prayed and said, looking at the icon, at the image of the Master: “Lord Jesus Christ! Just as you appeared on earth in this image for the sake of our salvation, by your own will allowing you to nail your hands to the cross, and accepting suffering for our sins, so grant me the ability to accept suffering. I do not accept this suffering from my enemies, but from my own brother, and do not hold it against him, Lord, it is a sin.” And, having prayed to God, he lay down on his bed. And so they attacked him like wild animals, surrounding the tent, and pierced him with spears, and pierced Boris and his servant, who covered him with his body, pierced him. He was loved by Boris. There was this youth, a Hungarian by birth, named George; Boris loved him very much, and he placed a large golden hryvnia on him, in which he served him. They also killed many of Boris’s other youths. With George, they could not quickly remove the hryvnia from his neck, and cut off his head, and only then took off the hryvnia, and threw his head away; That is why later they did not find his body among the corpses. Having killed Boris, the damned wrapped him in a tent, put him on a cart, and drove him away, still breathing. The accursed Svyatopolk, having learned that Boris was still breathing, sent two Varangians to finish him off. When they came and saw that he was still alive, one of them drew a sword and pierced him in the heart. And so blessed Boris died, having accepted the crown with other righteous people. eternal life from Christ God, equal with the prophets and apostles, being with the host of martyrs, resting in the bosom of Abraham, seeing inexpressible joy, singing with the angels and being in joy with all the saints. And they laid his body in the church of Vasily, secretly bringing it to Vyshgorod. Those damned murderers came to Svyatopolk, as if they had deserved praise, lawless people. These are the names of these lawbreakers: Putsha, Talets, Elovit, Lyashko, and their father is Satan. For such servants are like demons: demons are sent for evil, while angels are sent for good deeds. Angels do not do evil to a person, but they constantly wish him good, especially helping Christians and protecting them from the adversary the devil; and demons encourage a person to do evil, envying him; and since they see that man is honored by God, that is why they envy and are quick to commit evil. An evil person, zealous in evil deeds, is worse than a demon, for demons fear God, and evil person neither fears God nor is ashamed of people; Demons are afraid of the cross of the Lord, but an evil person is not afraid of the cross.
The accursed Svyatopolk began to think: “I killed Boris; how to kill Gleb? And, having conceived Cain’s affair, he deceivingly sent a messenger to Gleb, saying: “Come here as soon as possible, your father is calling you: he is very ill.” Gleb immediately mounted his horse and set off with a small retinue, because he was obedient to his father. And when he came to the Volga, his horse stumbled on a pothole in the field, and Gleb slightly injured his leg. And he came to Smolensk, and went not far from Smolensk, and stood in Smyadyn in a nasad. At the same time, news came from Predslava to Yaroslav about the death of his father, and Yaroslav sent to tell Gleb: “Do not go: your father has died, and your brother was killed by Svyatopolk.” Hearing this, Gleb cried out loudly with tears, crying for his father, but even more for his brother, and began to pray with tears, saying: “Woe is me, Lord! It would be better for me to die with my brother than to live in this world. If I had seen, my brother, your angelic face, I would have died with you: now why am I left alone? Where are your speeches, what did you say to me, my beloved brother? Now I will no longer hear your quiet instruction. If your prayers reach God, then pray for me, so that I too may accept the same martyr’s death. It would be better for me to die with you than to live in this world full of lies.” And when he was praying like this with tears, suddenly those sent by Svyatopolk came to destroy Gleb. And then suddenly the messengers of the Glebs captured the ship and drew their weapons. The Glebov youths lost heart. The accursed Goryaser, one of those sent, ordered Gleb to be stabbed to death immediately. Gleb’s cook, named Torchin, took out a knife and slaughtered Gleb like an innocent lamb. So he was sacrificed to God, instead of fragrant incense, a reasonable sacrifice, and accepted the crown of the kingdom of God, entering the heavenly abodes, and saw his desired brother there, and rejoiced with him with the indescribable joy that they were awarded for their brotherly love. “How good and how wonderful it is for brothers to live together!” The damned returned back, as David said: “Let sinners return to hell.” When they arrived, they said to Svyatopolk: “They did what you ordered.” Hearing this, he became even more proud, not knowing what David said: “Why do you boast about your wickedness, O mighty one? All the day long iniquity...is devised by your tongue” (Ps. 51:3).
So, Gleb was killed, and he was thrown on the shore between two logs, then, taking him, they took him away and laid him next to his brother Boris in the church of St. Basil.
Svyatopolk, the accursed and evil one, killed Svyatoslav, sending him to the Ugrian Mountain when he fled to the Ugrians. And Svyatopolk began to think: “I will kill all my brothers and I will own the Russian land alone.” This is what he thought in his pride, not knowing that “God gives power to whomever he wants, for the Almighty appoints the emperor and prince whom he wants to give.” If any country becomes pleasing to God, then God will appoint for it a emperor or a righteous prince who loves justice and law, and will bestow a ruler and a judge who judges the court. For if the princes are just in a country, then many sins are forgiven to that country; if they are evil and deceitful, then God sends even greater evil to that country, because the prince is the head of the land. For this is what Isaiah said: “They have sinned from head to foot, that is, from the emperor to ordinary people" “Woe to that city in which the prince is young,” who loves to drink wine to the sound of the harp together with young advisers. God gives such princes for sins, but takes away the old and wise, as Isaiah said: “The Lord will take from Jerusalem a strong giant and a brave man, and a judge, and a prophet, and a humble elder, and a wondrous counselor, and a wise artist, and a wise man who lives in law. And I will give them a young prince, and I will make the offender possess them” (Is. 3:1-4).
The accursed Svyatopolk began to reign in Kyiv. Having called people together, he began to give them cloaks to some, and money to others, and distributed a lot of wealth. When Yaroslav did not yet know about his father’s death, he had many Varangians, and they committed violence against the Novgorodians and their wives. The Novgorodians rebelled and killed the Varangians in the courtyard of Poromoniem. And Yaroslav became angry and went to the village of Rakomo and sat down there in the courtyard. And he sent to the Novgorodians to say: “I can’t resurrect them anymore.” And called to himself best husbands, who killed the Varangians, and, having deceived them, killed them. That same night, news came to him from Kyiv from his sister Predslava: “Your father died, and Svyatopolk sits in Kyiv, killed Boris, and sent him to Gleb, be very careful of him.” Hearing this, Yaroslav was sad about his father, and about his brothers, and about his squad. The next day, having gathered the rest of the Novgorodians, Yaroslav said: “Oh, my dear squad, which I killed yesterday, but today it turned out to be needed.” He wiped away his tears and addressed them at the meeting: “My father died, and Svyatopolk sits in Kyiv and kills his brothers.” And the Novgorodians said: “Although, prince, our brothers were cut off, we can fight for you!” And Yaroslav gathered a thousand Varangians, and 40,000 other soldiers, and went against Svyatopolk, calling God as a witness of his truth and saying: “It was not I who began to beat my brothers, but he; May God be an avenger for the blood of my brothers, because without guilt he shed the righteous blood of Boris and Gleb. Or should I do the same? Judge me, O Lord, in truth, so that the sinner’s atrocities may cease.” And he went to Svyatopolk. Hearing that Yaroslav was coming, Svyatopolk gathered countless soldiers, Russians and Pechenegs, and went out against him to Lyubech on the other side of the Dnieper, and Yaroslav was on this one.
The newest book of facts. Volume 3 [Physics, chemistry and technology. History and archaeology. Miscellaneous] Kondrashov Anatoly Pavlovich
Why did the Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatopolk receive the nickname Damned?
The Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatopolk (ruled 1015–1019) was the son of Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich, the elder brother of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. Vladimir killed Yaropolk, luring him into a trap with deception and betrayal, took his widow as war booty and made him his wife, and adopted the boy she gave birth to. Svyatopolk remained in history under the nickname Damned, because, trying to seize the grand-ducal throne after the death of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, he killed his cousins Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav Vladimirovich. Their brother, the Novgorod prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, opposed Svyatopolk and defeated him in the Battle of Lyubech in 1016, after which Svyatopolk, married to the daughter of the Polish king, fled to the Kingdom of Poland. Returning in 1018 with a Polish army, Svyatopolk defeated Yaroslav on the Bug River and expelled him from Kyiv. The dissatisfaction of the popular masses with the rule of foreigners forced the Polish troops to leave Rus'. In 1019, Yaroslav again opposed Svyatopolk, and he went to the Pechenegs. In the battle on the Alta River, Svyatopolk was defeated, fled to Poland, then to the Czech Republic and died on the way (in the same 1019).
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