The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-27

After recalling tho fact with which philolo-
gists are familiar, that, OF all European Ian
Kuages. the Slovenian idioms stand nearest to
those OF the old Indo-Iranian. Prince Serge
wolkonsky, points out that Tacitus docs not
mention the Slavonians as moving from Asia;
when he knows them. they are already incor-
porated in Europe, and constitute one of the
elements by which Europe ressts Asiatic incur
sions. Not only is there no record OF their
march Westward. but the first independent act
of tho Slavonians registered by history is. on
tho contrary. an eastward movement. their
migration from the slopes of the Carpath-
fans down into the valleys OF the Dniester
and the Dnieper. Thus began the great
eastward drift OF the Slavonians, destined to
reach the shores OF the Pacific. a drift which. as
the author reminds us. forms one. Of the three
great exceptions to the rule that colonization
takes a westward course; tho other two excep-
lions are the Greek colonies IN Asia Minor, fol-
lowed by the Hellenization Of Western Asia
under Alexander's successors, and the colonies
founded in Australia, Tasmania, and New Yea.
land by Englishmen in our own day. In their
march eastward the ancient Siavonians moved
gradually, and, during the first two centuries Of
their migration, founded u series of States, The
Russian state is commonly regarded as beginning
In s62. the event standing In connection with
that date being known as Tho calling Of
the princes. ut may be well to note how the
old chronicles relate the story Of Russia's origin
before marking some of the mmen Of modern
historical critics on the legend. The tradition.
rs recounted by Nestor. the first Russian chron-
icler. is that the tribes which lived along the
course of the Dnieper and its tributaries. OK.
hausted by continuous intestine war and threat
ened by their nomadic neighbors on the east,
decided to send a deputation over sea to Norway
to choose a sovereign among the "Varegues."
sour land 'is vast and fertile, but there is no
order in it; come and rule over u.s." Thus spoke
tho deputies when they stood before Rurik.
chief OF q Northman tribe called Russ; ard
Prince Rurik came over. settled at Nov
gorod, and started the Russian State.
This story hns provoked endless contro-
versy amone Russian scholars. Il seems
that the National, party feels wounded in its
patriotism by the Norman theory" which
confers on foreigners the honor OF having been
the founders Of Russia 1t has long been. for
instance. a subject OF dispute whether the word
"varegue" is the name Of q tribe or a military
denomination; whether Rurik cam from Nor
way or from the territory south Of the Baltic,
which we now call Prussia, but which, in the
ninth century. was occupied by the Wends, a
Elavonic people; whether, In other words, Rurik
was a Norman or a Slovenian. 1t is certain
that the "Varegues," whoever they may
nhVo Uceu, .Wero no newcomers IN the
country. When the successors of Rurik,
abandoning Novgorod, moved down to Kiev.
they found many OF their WI people settled
there. The truth Is that. for many years,
the great river Dnieper had been a CONNER.
cial route from the Scandinavian countries
down to the Black Sea and to the splendid and
opulent chief town Of the Byzantine empire. SO
powerful was the attraction exerted by the city
Of the Eastern Caesars that Russian history un-
der the earlier successors Of Rurik Is full Of raids
On Byzantium. Nor was 1t only for half COM
mercial, half military intercourse with the East
ern Roman empire that the Russian community
was indebted to the Dnieper. Christianity en-
tered by the same path. From tho beginning Of
the tenth century, or only about forty years
after the calling of Rurik, there seem
90 have been individual cases of con-
version; in the middle Of tho century
there was already a Christian church in Kiev
consecrated to st. Elijah, whose chariot of FIRE
caused him to be Identified with the Slavonic
God Of the Lightning. In 957. Princess Olga,
mother of the ruling Prince Sviatoslav (Rwik's
Grandsonl. went to Byzantium to be baptized in
the Christian faith; the Emperor himself be-
came her godfather. In his book on the cere-
monies of the Byzantine Court, tho Emperor
Constantine tPorphyrogenitus) gives an ac-
count OF tho festivities in her honor. Her son
did not consent to give up the paRanism of
his forefathers. but her grandson, Prince
Vladimir. sent ambassadors to investigate the
religions OF foreign countries. They reported
that they were most impressed by tho
liturgy celebrated by the Patriarch OF Constan-
tinople In the presence Of tho two brother EN-
perors. Constantine and Basil. under the dome
OF st. Sophia. Vladimir decided to embrace the
Christian religion and to request the Byzantine
Emperors to provide for the baptism Of his
people. BY way. however, OF conveying a dis.
ainct idea Of the Importance of the prospective
convert, he made a successful demonstration
against the Greek colonies In the Tauric Cherso-
nose (the present CriIueal. which then formed an
outlying part of the Byzantine empire. Tho
Chersonese being occupied. ambassadors were
sent TO Constantinople TO ask for tho Emperor's
sister. Anna, In marriage for Prince vladi.
mir. A change OF religion was exacted as
the condition Of tho union on the Emperor's
side. and when Vladimir assented. q Greek
Bishop came over to tho Chersonese and pcr-
formed tho ceremony Of baptism. Prince
6ergo tells us that q church at a short dis.
TANGO from Scbastopol contains tho marble
basin wherein the first Christian ruler OF Russia
was baptized. When Vladimir returned to
kiev. the whole population OF the town was
made to go down to the banks OF the Dnleper,
whore, after being distributed in diIerenL
groups. each Of which received a now name.
AL were OuptlZeu IN tno christian faith,
This event occurred in 0s7. tho year
when tho house Of Capct began to reign
IN France. We may here recall the fact that,
when in tho next century tho discussions be-
tween Constantinople ana Rome brought about
the final session OF the Christian Church, Rus
Ella, as being the goddaughter of Byzantium, fol-
loved Der example, and, ever since. has refused
acknowledgment OF the Popo's supremacy. 1t
was duo 10 Vladimir, who became a Jealous
Christian, that cathedrals. churches, and mon
asteries sprang up on the bank OF the Dnieper
and that Klev became. and remains till this
hour, a holy city to which pilgrims resort from
all over the country. After his death. the Grand
Duke of Kiey. Vladimir. canonizcd by tho
Church. became ono OF the most revvred OF Rus.
sian saints. and no also became the central fig
ure OF tho national epic poetry.
The first preachers of Christianity In the val.
Icy OF the Dnicper were Greek ecclesiastics. The