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Boris and Gleb (1)
The younger sons of the ruler of Kievan Rus' Grand Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich (r. 980-1015). After the grand prince's death their stepbrother Sviatopolk killed them to gain the throne. The two brothers became Russia's first native-born saints when they were canonized by the Ortodox Church in 1072. Saints Boris and Gleb were revered in Rus' as models of the Christian virtues of kindness, humility and brotherly love. As soldier-martyrs, they were considered patron saints of royal authority and defenders of Russian lands. |
