Boris and Gleb

Saints Boris and Gleb
Medieval icon of SS. Boris and Gleb (13-14th century, Kiev museum of Russian art)
Passion-bearers
Died	1015–1019
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Eastern Catholic Churches Old believers
Canonized	1071
Major shrine	Vyshhorod
Feast	July 24 (Martyrdom) May 3 (Translation of Relics)
Attributes	Two young princes, holding swords or spears, or the cross of martyrs

Eastern Orthodox Church
Eastern Catholic Churches

Boris and Gleb (Old East Slavic: Борисъ и Глѣбъ, Borisŭ i Glěbŭ; Russian: Борис и Глеб, Boris i Gleb; Ukrainian: Борис і Гліб, Borys i Hlib), Christian names Roman and David, respectively (Old East Slavic: Романъ, Давꙑдъ, Romanŭ, Davydŭ), were the first saints canonized in Kievan Rus' after the Christianization of the country. Their feast day is observed on July 24 (August 6).

According to the two 11th century Lives of Boris and Gleb (ascribed to Nestor the Chronicler and Jacob the Monk), they were younger children of Vladimir the Great, who liked them more than his other children. The Primary Chronicle says that their mother was a Bulgarian woman. Most modern scholars, however, argue that Boris and Gleb had different mothers, and were of different age. Boris, the elder, who had been already married and ruled the town of Rostov, was probably regarded as heir apparent to the Kievan throne. Gleb, who was still a minor, ruled the easternmost town of Murom.

Both were murdered during the internecine wars of 1015–1019. The Primary Chronicle blamed Sviatopolk the Accursed for plotting their assassination. Boris learned of his father's death when he returned with the Russian army to Alta. When informed of Sviatopolk's accession to the throne and urged to replace him, Boris said, "Be it not for me to raise my hand against my elder brother. Now that my father has passed away, let him take the place of my father in my heart." Regardless of having stepped aside, Sviatopolk insisted on having Boris executed. He sent Putsha and the boyars of Vyshegorod to execute his brother. Boris and his manservant were stabbed to death when sleeping in a tent. The prince was discovered still breathing when his body was being transported in a bag to Kiev, but the Varangians ended his life with the thrust of a sword.