International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

Vladimir Vasilik
St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; 
[e-mail]
The Image of St. Prince Vladimir as a New Constantine 
in the Old Russian Hymnography
The author regards the image of St. Equal to Apostles prince Vladimir as new Constantine in 
hymnographic dedicated to the baptizer of Russia. 
The image of St. Еqual to Apostles emperor Constantine was very important for medieval 
Christian world both in virtue of significance of his activity for the benefit of Christianity and the 
Church and due to the unusual character of his conversion. 
Сοmmon features of St. prince Vladimir with St. Emperor Constantin are the preaching of 
Christianity and maintenance of the Church, a heartly character of their faith and paternal way of 
their power. 
«Кост
ѧ
нтина вѣрнаго подобникъ 
ѧ
вис
ѧ
Христа въ сердци восприимъ
и Его заповѣди
ѧ
коже отецъ все
ѧ
Руси наоучилъ еси
Thou hast appeared as an imitator of faithful Constantin
having received Christ in thy heart
and as the father of all the Russia
Thou has taught His commandments. 
From the other side both St. Constantine the Great and St. Prince Vladimir are founders of 
blessed dynasties and there is a parallel between the Temple of St. Apostles in Constantinople and 
Desiatinnaya Church in Kiev.
The cause of such links is also an idea of sacred magisterium and apostolicity, which dates back 
to the image of the Byzantine Emperor Priest.
Τhe image of St. Constantine the Great also provides a link with King David and King Solomon, 
which are biblical archetypes of sacral power. 
Дасть человеколюбьче
богочестивому ти оугодънику
премоудрость соломоню, 
давыдову кротость 
апльское правовѣриe 
iaко цесарь цесаремъ
и господь господьствующиимъ 

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с нимиже ти милосрьдьноie съмотрение славимъ (Стихира на Господи, воззвах)
Thou hast given, oh men-loving Lord
to Thy servant
Wisdom of Solomon,
meekness of David
apostolic orthodoxy
as the King of kings
and the Lord of lords,
so we glorify 
thy merciful providence (Stichera. God I cried to Thee).