We devote a portion of this day to the ancient city of Kiev, now known as Kyiv in Ukraine.
As the eyes of the world are upon this contemporary city in Ukraine, lost is the great history of Kiev. It was only in 2019 the old name of Kiev, a Russian name, was jettisoned for the Ukrainian name, Kyiv.
In 988, Kiev was the "mother of Russian Cities" when Prince Vladimir converted Old Rus (pronounced Roose) to Christianity - what we know today as Russian Orthodox. But Russian history is complex, and between 988 and 2022, there was a lot of history of alliances coming and going.
We want to share from the Daily Thistle to look at Russia as a tale of three cities: Kiev, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Historian James Billington wrote of this tale of three cities, that a famous proverb,
Moscow was the heart of Russia;
St. Petersburg, it's head,
but Kiev, its mother.
Those who know Russian history see clearly how Vladimir Putin twists the historical record for political ends. When we see the courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's invasion, we see a culture whose courage is informed by its religious history and tenets of a particular courageous Christianity that inspires us all.
We share some song and thoughts from yesterday's Monday Chapel.
