Editing Christianization (section)

=== Kievan Rus' ===
{{Main|Christianization of Kievan Rus'}}
[[File:Lebedev baptism.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|''The Baptism of Kievans'', a painting by [[Klavdiy Lebedev]]|alt=photo of a painting by Klavdiy Lebedev of mass baptism of the Kievens in a river]]
Around 978, [[Vladimir the Great|Vladimir]] (978–1015), the son of [[Sviatoslav I|Sviatoslav]], seized power in [[Kiev]].{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=103}} Slavic historian Ivo Štefan writes that, Vladimir examined monotheism for himself, and "Around that same time, Vladimir conquered Cherson in the Crimea, where, according to the [[Tale of Bygone Years]], he was baptized".{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=111}} After returning to Kiev, the same text describes Vladimir as unleashing "a systematic destruction of pagan idols and the construction of Christian churches in their place".{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=111}}
[[File:Kiev vasnetcov.jpg|thumb|upright|''The [[Baptism of Kiev]]ans'', a fresco by [[Viktor Vasnetsov]]|alt=another photo of a painting by Viktor Vasnetsov of mass baptism of Kiev's inside a chapel]]
Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary had become part of western Latin Christianity, while the Rus' adopted Christianity from Byzantium, leading them down a different path.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=101, 112}} A specific form of Rus' Christianity formed quickly.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=111}}

The Rus' dukes maintained exclusive control of the church which was financially dependent upon them.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=111}} The prince appointed the clergy to positions in government service; satisfied their material needs; determined who would fill the higher ecclesiastical positions; and directed the synods of bishops in the Kievan metropolitanate.{{sfn|Poppe|1991|p=15}} This new Christian religious structure was imposed upon the socio-political and economic fabric of the land by the authority of the state's rulers.{{sfn|Poppe|1991|p=12}} According to Andrzej Poppe, Slavic historian, it is fully justifiable to call the Church of Rus' a state church. The Church strengthened the authority of the Prince, and helped to justifiy the expansion of Kievan empire into new territories through missionary activity.{{sfn|Poppe|1991|p=15}}

Christian clergy translated religious texts into local vernacular language which introduced literacy to all members of the princely dynasty, including women and the general populace.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=113}} Monasteries of the twelfth century became key spiritual, intellectual, art, and craft centers.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=112}} Under Vladimir's son Yaroslav I the Wise (1016–1018, 1019–1054), a building and cultural boom took place.{{sfn|Štefan|2022|p=112}} The Church of Rus' gradually developed into an independent political force in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.{{sfn|Poppe|1991|p=14}}