Passion-bearer Gleb

The holy Right-Believing Prince Gleb, baptised David, was a younger son of St Vladimir, the Baptiser of Rus'. Together with his brother Boris (Roman) he was among the first saints canonised in Rus'. According to the chronicle and the Tale of Boris and Gleb, he ruled Murom during his father's lifetime.

After Vladimir died on 15 July 1015, his eldest son Sviatopolk seized Kiev and had Boris murdered. He then summoned Gleb to Kiev with a false report of their father's illness. Warned by his brother Yaroslav near Smolensk, Gleb still did not resist; near the mouth of the Smyadyn river his boat was overtaken and, on the order of Sviatopolk's men, his own cook killed him, according to the hagiographic sources on 5 September 1015. His body was buried on the spot.

Years later Yaroslav the Wise had Gleb's body found and buried beside Boris at Vyshgorod near Kiev. Miracles began at their tomb, a feast was established on 24 July, and their relics were solemnly translated in 1072 and on 2 May 1115. The brothers are venerated as passion-bearers, who meekly accepted death in imitation of Christ. They are commemorated together on 24 July (6 August) and 2 May (15 May); Gleb alone is also remembered on 5 September (18 September).