Yaroslav the Wise: A Legacy Wrapped in Mystery

Throughout his life, Yaroslav was never called "the Wise." This nickname appeared in historical writing only during the 18th and 19th centuries.

After his death, Yaroslav was buried in a sarcophagus at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. The sarcophagus has survived to this day, but the prince’s remains have mysteriously vanished. Instead, the bones of unidentified women were discovered inside. The true whereabouts of Yaroslav’s remains remain unknown.

It is widely believed that the prince had a deep love for reading and may have owned an extensive library. However, the location of this legendary collection is still a mystery—and its very existence remains unproven.

In modern Ukraine, Yaroslav’s legacy is honored through the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, one of the country’s highest state awards for distinguished service. Notable recipients include Polish President Andrzej Duda, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and former Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Prince Volodymyr’s Dramatic Transformation

Before the Baptism of Kyivan Rus, Prince Volodymyr was known for his ruthless and debauched lifestyle. According to some accounts, after ascending to the throne, the son of Sviatoslav launched a brutal persecution of Christians, many of whom were slain by his sword.

However, his life took a dramatic turn after he accepted Christianity in Chersonesus. What led to this dramatic transformation, and why did it happen? The key to this transformation is hidden in the rich history we uncover in our course.

Anna of Kyiv: The Ukrainian Queen of France

Anna of Kyiv, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, granddaughter of Volodymyr the Great, and niece of the revered Ukrainian saints Borys and Hlib, became one of the most prominent female figures of medieval Europe.

Born into the royal court of Kyiv—the most advanced European capital of the 11th century—Anna Yaroslavna was a Ukrainian princess whose influence stretched far beyond the borders of her homeland. She is often considered the first officially documented Ukrainian émigré to Western Europe and remains the only woman of her time known to have corresponded directly with Pope Nicholas II.

In 1051, Anna married King Henry I of France, becoming Queen of France. Upon her arrival in Paris, she brought with her a treasured gospel from Kyivan Rus', written in Cyrillic and Glagolitic scripts. This sacred text would later become known as the Reims Gospel, after it was transferred to the Cathedral of Reims.

For centuries, this gospel served a symbolic role in French history. From the 11th century until the 18th, French monarchs took their coronation oaths upon this very manuscript—a testament to its enduring spiritual and political significance. Today, this priceless artifact is preserved in the National Library of France in Paris.

In the annals of French history, Anna of Kyiv is remembered not only as a queen, but as the matriarch of nearly 30 French monarchs. Her Ukrainian lineage flowed through the veins of French royalty all the way until 1848, marking a powerful and enduring genetic and cultural connection between Ukraine and France.

Blessed Edgina: A Princess Turned Nun

While Anna’s sons would go on to continue the royal bloodline, her daughter, Eudoxia—also known as Edgina—chose a very different path. Driven by a deep longing for her ancestral homeland and a desire to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she left the comforts of the French royal court and set out on a spiritual journey.

According to legend, during her travels she had a prophetic dream: she would find her final resting place where a church bell rang and a rooster crowed at the same moment. That strange sign came to pass in the small Bavarian village of Puch, near modern-day Munich. There, in the hollow of an old linden tree, Edgina devoted herself to a secluded monastic life, living as a nun for more than 30 years.

Her remarkable piety and sacrifice earned her sainthood in both the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic Churches. Today, Blessed Edgina remains a symbol of spiritual devotion and a poignant link between European royalty and the sacred traditions of Kyivan Rus.

Emblems of Power: Tridents and Banners from Kyivan Rus to the Vatican

Heraldic symbols—primarily bidents and tridents—appeared on coins, seals, rings, and weapons of the rulers of Kyivan Rus as early as the 10th century. The first known depiction of a bident dates back to the time of Ihor, whose sons continued to use similar heraldic signs.

The flags of Kyivan Rus were predominantly red, chosen for their high visibility on the battlefield. One of the most iconic emblems of the era belonged to Grand Prince Volodymyr the Great: a golden trident on a blue background. Historians suggest that this emblem may have served as a prototype for Ukraine’s modern national flag and coat of arms.

A lesser-known but significant historical artifact related to this symbol can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. A mosaic of Saint Volodymyr bearing the trident was gifted by Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest Vasyl Losten to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus. Due to Vatican protocol, which prohibits the display of national emblems other than that of the Holy See, the trident was accepted not as a national emblem, but as a personal symbol of the prince.

As a result, Ukraine is the only country in the world whose emblem is displayed within the Vatican walls.

The power struggles, dynastic marriages, and legendary mysteries of Kyivan Rus’ often feel like a real-life “Game of Thrones.”

Want to dive deeper? Explore Games of Thrones, Ukrainian Edition: The World of Kyivan Rus.