Andrey Bogolyubsky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Andrew Yuryevich Bogolubsky
Russian icon of Saint Andrey Bogolyubsky
Right-Believing, Passion Bearer
Born	unknown Rostov
Died	28 June 1174 Bogolyubovo, Vladimir Oblast
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	15 October 1702 (Translation), Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir by Russian Orthodox Church
Major shrine	Dormition cathedral, Vladimir
Feast	4 July (burial), 30 June, 23 June, 10 October, 25 May
Attributes	Clothed as a Russian Grand Prince, holding a three-bar cross in his right hand
Patronage	Russian NBC Protection Troops

Andrew I (died June 28, 1174), also known as Andrey Bogolyubsky, was a powerful ruler in what is now Russia. He was the Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1157 until he died.

Andrey Bogolyubsky worked hard to make the city of Vladimir a very important center in Kievan Rus'. He is remembered for leading an attack on Kiev in 1169. Later, he was recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1702.

Biography of Andrey Bogolyubsky

Andrey Bogolyubsky was born around 1111. His father was Yuri Dolgorukiy, a famous prince and son of Vladimir II Monomakh. Andrey's mother was a daughter of Ayyub Khan, a leader of the Kipchak people. Andrey's father, Yuri, made him a prince in a town called Vyshgorod, near Kiev.

Andrey's Rise to Power

In 1155, Andrey left Vyshgorod and moved to Vladimir. This was a smaller town on the Klyazma River. After his father passed away in 1157, Andrey became the Knyaz (prince) of Vladimir, Rostov, and Suzdal.

He quickly began to strengthen Vladimir. In 1158, he started building strong walls around the town. These defenses were finished in 1164. He also began building the beautiful Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir.

Major Achievements and Conflicts

Andrey wanted Vladimir to be a very important religious center. In 1162, he sent people to Constantinople to ask for a separate church leader (metropolitan) for Vladimir.

In 1164, Andrey led his troops to attack the Volga Bolgars. He won this battle, but sadly, his son was killed. To honor his son, Andrey ordered the building of the beautiful Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in 1165.

A very important event in Andrey's rule was the attack on Kiev in 1169. Andrey's soldiers took over Kiev, which was a very important city at the time. They took many valuable religious artworks, including a famous icon called the "Mother of God." After this, Andrey tried to unite his lands with Kiev by making his brother Gleb the prince there.

However, after his brother died in 1171, Andrey fought a two-year war to keep control of Kiev. He was eventually defeated in this conflict.

Andrey made sure that his region, the Northern Dvina lands, paid him taxes. As the "ruler of all Suzdal land," he officially moved the capital to Vladimir. He made Vladimir much bigger and stronger. He built the Assumption Cathedral and other churches and monasteries.

The Death of Andrey Bogolyubsky

During Andrey's time as ruler, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality became very powerful. It was the strongest among all the regions in Kievan Rus'.

However, Andrey had disagreements with some of his powerful nobles, called boyars. These conflicts led to a secret plan against him. On the night of June 28-29, 1174, about twenty boyars broke into his rooms and killed him in his bed.

Descendants

Andrey Bogolyubsky had a son named Yury Bogolyubsky. Yury later married Queen Tamar of Georgia.

Legacy

• The ancient icon, Theotokos of Bogolyubovo, was painted in the 12th century at the request of Andrey Bogolyubsky.
• Andrey had the castle, Bogolyubovo, built near Vladimir, and it would become his favorite residence and the source of his nickname, "Bogolyubsky".
• His victory over the Bulgars is remembered yearly during the Honey Feast of the Saviour.

Gallery

• 

  Grand Prince Saint Andrey Bogolyubsky, by Viktor Vasnetsov c. 1890

• 

  Andrey Bogolyubsky. Forensic facial reconstruction by Mikhail Gerasimov. 1941

See also

In Spanish: Andréi Bogoliubski para niños

• Andronikos I Komnenos