The lower house of Russia's parliament will on Wednesday consider in the first reading a government-submitted draft law proposing the establishment of a new memorable date — the Baptism of Rus Day.
Prince Vladimir baptized medieval Kievan Rus, which comprised parts of modern-day Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, in the year 988. The Russian Orthodox Church, to which the canonical Orthodox Churches in Ukraine and Belarus are subordinate, commemorates Prince Vladimir on July 28.
The draft law was initiated by the Russian Culture Ministry. Earlier the Russian Orthodox Church proposed making the date a public holiday, as it has been in Ukraine for several years.
Orthodox Christianity is Russia's dominant religion, with over half of the country's residents considering themselves Russian Orthodox. However, a much smaller proportion are practicing Christians.
MOSCOW, April 21 (RIA Novosti)
