“Bridge”
that is the translation of the first
name of Vladimirskaya street
in 10th century , or “Most” in Russian , transliterated in English,
one of the oldest and greatests streets in Kyiv.
That’s
where a guided tour group will head to on 16th July after gathering
at the entrance to University metro station at 3pm and visiting St Vladimir’s
Cathedral, within City Tour of London in Kyiv.
start at St Paul’s Cathedral and hold your way around City of London, created by the
Romans who lived there J
When in Kyiv, likewise, Walk Prince Vladimir’s Kyiv,
start at St Vladimir’s Cathedral and walk over to Vladimirskaya street
together with guided tour group …
So far, get more interesting parallel facts about King Alfred’s and
Prince Vladimir, their deeds, times, places, events:
King Alfred
4) In 853 at the age of
four Alfred is said to have been sent to Rome
where, according to the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle.
he was confirmed by Pope Leo IV who "anointed him as
king" …
5) Bishop Asser tells the story of how as a child
Alfred won as a prize a book of Saxon poems, offered by his mother to the first
of her children able to memorize it. Legend also has it that the young Alfred
spent time in Ireland
seeking healing. Alfred was troubled by health problems throughout his life. It
is thought that he may have suffered from Crohn's disease. Statues of Alfred in Winchester
and Wantage portray him as a great warrior. Evidence suggests he was not
physically strong, and though not lacking in courage, he was noted more for his
intellect than as a warlike character.
Prince Vladimir
4) In 977 Vladimir
fled to his kinsman Haakon Sigurdsson, ruler of Norway, collecting as
many Norse warriors as he could to assist him
to recover Novgorod.
On his return the next year, he marched against Yaropolk. On his way to Kiev he sent ambassadors
to Rogvolod (Norse: Ragnvald), prince
of Polotsk, to sue for the hand of
his daughter Rogneda (Norse:
Ragnhild). The high-born princess refused to affiance herself to the son of a
bondswoman, so Vladimir
attacked Polotsk, slew Rogvolod, and took Ragnhild by force. Polotsk was a key
fortress on the way to Kiev, and capturing
Polotsk and Smolensk facilitated the taking of Kiev in 978, where he
slew Yaropolk by treachery and was proclaimed knyaz of all Kievan Rus.
5) The Primary Chronicle reports that in
the year 987, after consultation with his boyars, Vladimir the Great sent
envoys to study the religions of the various neighboring nations whose
representatives had been urging him to embrace their respective faiths. The result
is described by the chronicler
Nestor. Of the Muslim Bulgarians of the Volga the envoys
reported there is no gladness among them, only sorrow and a great stench. He
also reported that Islam was undesirable due to its taboo against alcoholic
beverages and pork. Vladimir remarked on the
occasion: "Drinking is the joy of all Rus'. We cannot exist without that
pleasure." Ukrainian and Russian sources also describe Vladimir consulting with Jewish envoys and
questioning them about their religion. His emissaries also visited Roman Catholic and Orthodox missionaries.
Ultimately Vladimir settled on Eastern
Orthodox Christianity
And that is only a part of
the story …
16 July 3pm Insight into
personalities of Alfred The Great and Saint Vladimir. Comparative biographies.
Walking Tour in the downtown of Kyiv. 2 hours. Limit 20 participants
Place to start - University metro station. Sign up - write to
activetours@i.ua, text to 066 5004149
150 UAH. 50% discounts for
students, young pairs and groups. Payment in advance or at the spot.
Together in Ukraine -
City Tours of London
in Kyiv. Discovering English values in Ukraine
