Yaroslav I Vladimirovich, known in Baptism as George, was the Grand Prince of Kyiv. He was born between 978 and 989. He was the second son of Saint Vladimir the Great. During his childhood, he suffered from paralysis of the legs, which was partially healed in 988, although he retained a slight physical difficulty for the rest of his life.
While Saint Vladimir was still alive, Yaroslav was appointed ruler of Rostov. In 1012, following the death of his elder brother, he became Prince of Novgorod and began to assert the region’s independence from Kyiv. In 1014, he refused to pay tribute to his father, provoking Vladimir’s anger.
After the death of Saint Vladimir, Yaroslav became involved in the struggle for the Kievan throne, facing the hostility of his brother Sviatopolk, who had already arranged the murder of three of their brothers. Yaroslav gathered a large army and succeeded in defeating his rival, capturing Kyiv in 1016.
In 1021, he defeated his nephew Bryachislav, and in 1024 he faced another challenge from one of his brothers. After the death of his last rival in 1035, Yaroslav became the sole ruler of the lands of Rus'.
Throughout his reign, he conducted numerous military campaigns against foreign invaders. He achieved a decisive victory over the Pechenegs and led expeditions to the north against Finnish tribes, as well as to the west in response to Polish invasions.
Yaroslav was renowned for his legislative achievements. He createde the first written legal code of the Rus' state, known as the Russkaya Pravda. He also played a major role in the spread of Christianity by inviting Greek teachers and scholars to his realm and by supporting the collection of manuscripts for the library of the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Kyiv.
He reposed on February 20, 1054, and was buried in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Kyiv.
Yaroslav's reign came to symbolize the prosperity and cultural flourishing of Kievan Rus'. In recognition of his contribution to the Church, his name was later included to the saints of the Russian Orthodox Church.
