The Russian historian, Karamsin, says: "This prince, whom the church has recognized as equal to the apostles, merits from history the title of Great.

It is God alone who can know whether Vlademer was a true Christian at heart, or if he were influenced simply by political considerations.

It is sufficient for us to state that, after having embraced that divine religion, Vlademer appears to have been sanctified by it, and he developed a totally different character from that which he exhibited when involved in the darkness of paganism." One of the sons of Vlademer, whose name was Sviatopolk, chanced to be at Kief at the time of his father's death.

He resolved to usurp the throne and to cause the assassination of all the brothers from whom he could fear any opposition.

Three of his brothers speedily fell victims to his bloody perfidy.