Boris and Gleb were sons of Saint Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev, who at baptism received the names Romanus (Roman) and David respectively. After their father's death in 1015, in the succession crisis that followed, both were killed at the instigation of their elder brother Sviatopolk, who sought to seize sole power. Rather than take up arms against their brother, they offered no resistance, and the Church commemorates them as Passion-Bearers (Slavonic Strastoterptsy) — those who accept death in a Christ-like spirit of non-resistance. They were the first saints canonized in the Russian land, and are commemorated together on July 24, while Gleb is also commemorated on September 5.
According to the chronicle tradition, Boris was returning from a military campaign when he learned of his father's death and of Sviatopolk's intent. He declined to march on his brother and was set upon by assassins who found him at prayer and stabbed him; he was finished off by men Sviatopolk sent after him. Gleb, the younger brother, was lured by a false message and learned while traveling that his father had died and that Boris had been killed. He too made no resistance, and was slain when his own cook, Torchin, cut his throat — by tradition near Smolensk, where his body was attacked aboard his boat.
The veneration of the two princes developed quickly. Metropolitan John of Kiev compiled a liturgical service in their honor and established their joint feast on July 24, dating from the first half of the eleventh century. Their relics were gathered at Vyshgorod near Kiev, where they rested in the church of Saint Basil the Great, and the burial place was glorified by miracles. A solemn translation of the relics took place on May 2, 1115, under Vladimir Monomakh, Grand Prince of Kiev, when a new stone church received them.
