Konstantin of Murom

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The Holy and Blessed Prince Constantine of Murom (Russian: Святой Блаженный Князь Константин) (? - 1129) was a direct descendant of Vladimir I of Kiev and the son of Prince Svyatoslav of Chernigov. His father at his request assigned him to rule the city of Murom, which at the time was inhabited by pagans, that he might spread Christianity in that region. According to the traditional account of his life, Constantine first sent his son Michael to Murom as his emissary, but the inhabitants killed him outright, so he was obliged to arrive personally in force at which point populace accepted him. However, he made no headway in converting them to Christianity and at one point they became so insensed that a mob made their way to his house intending to storm the place and kill him. When he appeared before them bearing what is now known as the Murom-Ryazan icon of the Theotokos they miraculously quieted down and immediately accepted baptism in the nearby Oka River. His son Theodore, with his support, continued the missionary work in the surrounding countryside.