Volodymyr the Great became Grand Prince of Kyiv in 980. Impressed by the progress of Christianity, he approached Eastern Emperor Basil II about marrying the emperor's daughter Anna. He converted, reformed his life and married Anna. Under Volodymyr's reign, Christianity became the official religion of the region, which facilitated the spread of Byzantine culture, and the first schools and churches were built.

Learn more at http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CV%5CO%5CVolodymyrtheGreat.htm