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He was the fourth son of Yaroslav
Vladimirovich and his wife, Irina (Ingegerda Olafovna), princess of Sweden. He
was born in 1026-7. He married Oda, sister of Burkhardt, Bishop of Trier. (some
sources say a daughter of Etheler, Count of Dithmarschen) Their sons were
Gleb, prince of Novgorod and Tmutorokan (killed 1078);
David, prince of Novgorod (1093-1095) prince of
Chernigiv (d 1123); Roman, prince of Tmutorokan (k
1079); Yaroslav, prince of Murom and then Chernigiv
(d 1129); and Oleg, prince of Chernigiv then Kursk and
Novgorod Seversk (d 1115). Their daughter, Vysheslava, married Boleslaw II,
King of Poland. See Svyatoslav with ancestors atgeneology, andSvyatoslavichifor his descendents, and see individual
entries.
Svyatoslav initially was content with Chernigiv. He supported his brother,
Izyaslav I, against the usurpation of
Vseslav I in 1068-69. But the second time Izyaslav
fled Kyiv, Svyatoslav was happy to rule in his place (1073-76). However,
Svyatoslav then died suddenly in Kyiv and Izyaslav returned to his throne. (See
reign of Izyaslav for details.) This brief rule
generated the demand of Svyatoslav's sons that they too should be prince of
Kiev in their turn. David was willing to compromise, but Oleg continually
fought for the throne. Or, giving up on Kyiv, they still fought for
Svyatoslav's legitimate throne at Chernigiv. The wars of the Ol'govichi and the
Monomashchi (as the descendents of Svyatoslav's nephew, Vladimir II Vsyevolod, who followed his father to
Kyiv, were known) continued for several generations.
A particularly noteworthy period as pertains to flourishing culture was the
nineteen year rule over the Chernigiv-Northern lands of the learned and
energetic ruler Svyatoslav Yaroslavich. Beginning in 1054, his reign brought
artisans to complete the building and painting of frescoes on the Redeemer
Cathedral. The Yeletskii and Il'inskii monasteries where founded by the
medieval Rus propagator of Christianity, Antonii from Lyubech. The Kiev
Monastery of the Caves (Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra) was founded about the middle
of the eleventh century by a monk Antony who was later canonized. He decided to
devote his life to prayers and to live as a hermit. Antony found that the ideal
place for this new home would be one of the hills along the right bank of the
river Dnieper, located to the south of the village of Berestovo, once the
residence of the Grand Duke Vladimir Svyatoslavich. The hill was covered with
thick woods and dotted with caves that nature had made in the cliffs, and from
them came the name of the monastery. Pechersk comes from "Pechery" -
caves, and his piety soon became well known and many decided to follow his
example. One of the first to join him was co-founder of the monastery Feodosii
(Theodosius), who was also canonized. Feodosii was a learned man and very good
organizer. He did much to spread the influence of the Monastery and to fortify
"The Christian universal religion." Feodosii was one of the first
opponents of any influence that Rome eventually exercised over the Russian
orthodoxy. He came out openly against Roman-Catholic dogmas and repeatedly
urged Prince Izyaslav to beware of their teachings and customs. Obviously the
Prince listened to Feodosii who received a large piece of land further to the
north west from the caves from Prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich, and it was here
that the most important edifices were built. The first church built was
dedicated to the Virgin and it was completely under ground. Svyatoslav sought
to implement the harsh and ascetic teachings of the monk Feodosii, born in
Vasil'yev and later canonized by the Orthodox Church.
Chronology:
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