Sts Boris & Gleb

Boris and Gleb were brothers and they were the sons of the first Christian Prince of Russia, St. Vladimir of Kiev.  There mother was also a Christian, Anne of Constantinople, so Boris and Gleb were taught about Jesus.  After Boris and Gleb’s father died, they were each given a part of their father’s great kingdom.  Their oldest brother was very greedy and wanted all of his father’s kingdom, so he created a plan to kill his brothers.  Boris was warned that his brother planned to kill him when he returned from battle.  The men that fought at war with Boris wanted to protect him and not let anyone harm him, but Boris would not let them get involved.  He told them that it would be better for him to die alone then to risk the lives of so many men.  So Boris faced his enemies alone and never fought back; he only asked for God’s peace to be with the men that killed him.  Soon after Boris was killed, his oldest brother also sent men to kill Gleb.  Gleb did not know what was happening or why he was being killed, but he also did not fight back, he only prayed to the Lord all throughout his attack.  So the brothers, Boris and Gleb died as martyrs because they accepted death without fighting back, just like Jesus did.   People that have visited their tombs have received miracles through the prayers of these holy brothers.