Russia adopted the Orthodox Christian faith a thousand years ago. How this came to be is told by Nestor (b.1056) in his Chronicle. When testing other faiths and then choosing one, it is interesting to see which characteristics were convincing, and which were not.

In the year 987, Vladimir called his boyars and city elders together and said to them, "The Bulgarians have come to me and said, 'Accept our religion!' Then came the Germans and they praised their religion, and afterwards the Jews. The Greeks [Byzantines] also came and belittled all other religions except their own. They spoke much about the beginning of the universe and the existence of the world. They are cunning of speech and talk so pleasantly that it is a pleasure to hear them. They say that there is another world, and that if anyone enters into their failth, he would live after his death and would not die again for eternity. But if he accepts any other faith, he would burn in the other world. Now, what cousel do you give me? What is your answer?"

The boyars and elders said, "You know, O Prince, that nobody detrtacts from his own, but praises it. If you are anxious to find out the truth, you have men whom you can send out to see how they all serve God."

This speech pleased the Prince and the people. They selected ten good and clever men saying to them, "Go first to the Bulgarians and inquire into their religion." They went and saw their abominable deeds and their worship at shrines, then returned to Russia. Vladimir said to them, "Go now to the Germans and find out about them, then also to the Greeks."

They went to Germany, observed their divine services, then came to Constantinople and went to the Emperor. The Emperor asked them what they had come for, and they told him. Having heard this, the Emperor was glad, and gave them a banquet on that same day. Next morning he sent to the Patriarch saying, "Some Russians have come to find out about our faith, so have the church and clergy in order. Put on the holy garments that they may see the glory of our God."

The Patriarch called together the clergy to celebrate the day according to the custom. He lit the censers and arranged the singing and the choir. The Emperor went to church with the envoys, and they were brought to a prominent place where they could see the beauty of the church, hear the singing, and watch the deacons during the service. They were surprised, and marvelled, and praised the service. The Emperors Basil and Constantine called them, showered them with many gifts and honors, then said, "Go back to your land."

Upon returning to Russia, and the Prince called together his boyars and elders. Vladimir said, "The men we have sent have come back. Let us hear what has happened."

The envoys said to the assembly, "When we were in Bulgaria, we saw them worshipping in the temple where they make small talk in the shrine and stand without proper clothing. Having said some prayers, they sit down and look here, there and everywhere like madmen. There is no joy among them, only sadness and a great stench. Their religion is not good."

"We went to Germany and saw many ceremonies in their temples, but of beauty we saw nothing. We went to the Greeks and they took us where they worship their God, and we did not know whether we were in heaven or on earth for there is nothing on earth so beautiful. We were preplexed, but this much we know: There, God lives among people, and their service is better than in any other country. We cannot forget that beauty, for each of us has partaken of sweetness and will not now accept bitterness. Therefore, we can no longer remain in our former condition."

The boyars anwered, "If the Greek religion were bad, your grandmother Olga, who was the wisest of all people, would not have accepted it."

Then Vladimir spoke, "Where shall we receive our baptism?" They answered, "Wherever it pleases you."

Adapted from "Anthology of Russian Literature," Ed. by Leo Wiener, Vol. 1 (N.Y., 1902).