The 1000th Anniversary of the Christianization of Rus' (1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, Russian: 1000-летие крещения Руси) was an occasion marked by events held in the USSR from May – June 1988, to celebrate the introduction of Christianity to Russia by Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich in 988.[1] Originally, the celebrations were planned for the church only. However, the anniversary became a statewide event.[2] That this was allowed to occur marked a shift in Soviet policy concerning the church.[3]