Right-believing (Ruler)12th century

Blessed Prince Gleb Andreevich

1155–1174

Also known as Gleb of Vladimir · George in baptism

A son of St Andrew Bogoliubsky who from the age of twelve gave himself to prayer and the reading of the divine books, and reposed in purity at nineteen; his relics were found incorrupt.

Feast Day
June 20
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Commemorated as

The Holy and Right-believing Prince Gleb of Vladimir

Life

Gleb Andreevich was a younger son of Prince Andrew Bogoliubsky, the ruler of Vladimir-Suzdal, and bore the name George at his baptism. According to his synaxarion, he was drawn from childhood to the religious life: from the age of twelve he is said to have lived in solitary devotion, occupying himself with the reading of sacred texts, the keeping of strict fasts, prayerful vigilance, and works of charity, while holding the clergy in reverence.

He died in 1174, the same year that his father was assassinated, at the age of nineteen. His remains were later found to be incorrupt, and they came to rest in the Dormition Cathedral of Vladimir, where he is venerated as a patron of the city. His feast is kept on June 20.

Timeline4 momentsReadHide
  1. c. 1155BirthBorn a son of Prince Andrew Bogoliubsky of Vladimir-Suzdal and given the name George at baptism.
  2. from age twelveTurn to a solitary spiritual lifeBy tradition he gave himself from the age of twelve to prayer, fasting, vigilance, and the reading of the divine books.
  3. 1174Repose at nineteenHe died at the age of nineteen, in the same year his father Andrew was killed at Bogolyubovo.
  4. 1702Establishment of his celebrationHis liturgical commemoration was established, after which a service and a Life were composed.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Relics & Shrines

His relics were reported to have been preserved incorrupt and rest in the Dormition Cathedral of Vladimir, the principal church of the city built by his father. He is honored there as a special patron and defender of Vladimir.

Traditions & Accounts

Several protective episodes are attached to his tomb in the tradition surrounding him. During the Tatar burning of the Vladimir cathedral in 1238, his tomb is said to have been left untouched by the fire. In a later Tatar attack, the tradition relates that when his crypt was forced open flames issued from it and the attackers fled. His intercession was also credited with the city's defense against Polish-Lithuanian raiders in the early seventeenth century.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints