The Present State of the Greek Church in Russia, or A Summary of Christian Divinity

The first dawn of civilization in Russia, does not appear to have commenced until the introduction of Christianity, towards the close of the tenth century. Before that period, the inhabitants were sunk in the deepest ignorance; and their religion consisted chiefly in the worship of Nature, which they lepresented under the character of a female. They paid religious homage also to different objects in nature, such as to Jire, which they considered to be the creator of thunder, and called Periin; and to the earthy under the name of Volata. At the same time, however, they believed in the immortality of the soul, and a future state of rewards and punishments. In the year 955, the Grand Princess Olga having visited Constantinople, and being honourably received by the then reigning emperor, Constantine VI. was instructed in the doctrines of Christianity; and, at her own desire, baptized into its faith, by the name of Helena. On her return, she used all the influence in her power to introduce the now religion into Russia; but her exertions, though incessantly employed for upwards of fourteen years, proved insufficient to withdraw her son, the Grand Prince Sveioslajfy from the worship of Perun. Her conduct and conversation, however, seem to have made a due impression on the mind of her grandson Vladimb\ • who, after her death, embraced the Christian religion, and publicly professed it, by being baptized in 988. This prince was the instrument of effectually bringing over his subjects to the profession of Christianity; and, from that period, the Catholic and Apostolical faith of the Eastern or Greek Church, together with all its ordinances, rites, and ceremonies, have been preserved among this people, nearly in the same state in which they were at first received and established. The Roman Pontiffs, indeed, have at different times attempted to impose their creed on the Russians; but every such attempt has invariably proved abortive: and, to this day, they remain stedfast in the faith of their ancestors.^’”