Church tradition says that Boris and Gleb were the younger sons of the Kyivan Prince Vladimir the Great. However, discussions about the true origin of the saints are still ongoing. Boris, the elder of the brothers, ruled in Rostov, while Gleb reigned on the throne of Murom. Both were just and merciful, and both suffered for their beliefs.

According to historians, the princes of Kyiv were killed by their brother Sviatopolk (which earned him the nickname of the Accursed) in 1015 during the battle for the throne. Later, by order of Yaroslav the Wise, Boris and Gleb were canonized in Constantinople. The brothers became the first saints of Kyivan Rus’.