Prince Vladimir-Rasate

Vladimir-Rasate was prince of Bulgaria from 889 to 893. He was a son of Prince Boris I Michael, who had relinquished the throne in order to become a monk. This transfer of power occurred because of Vladimir’s attempt to oppose the imposition of Christianity in Bulgaria, despite the policy of Christianisation pursued by his father.

He is portrayed as a man attached to the Bulgarians’ old pagan customs. It is recorded that, after ascending the throne, Vladimir began plundering, engaged in hunting and spent his time in drunkenness, feasting and debauchery. He opposed the newly baptised Bulgarians and sought to return them to pagan rites.

The name Rasate is associated with the town of Ras, a Bulgarian fortress during the First Bulgarian state. Vladimir-Rasate crossed the frontier and invaded Serbian lands, where he was captured around 854. Boris I was compelled to intervene to secure his release, after which an “eternal peace” was concluded with the Serbian nobles.

Although Vladimir attempted to carry out persecutions and burned several Bulgarian towns, he encountered resistance from his father. Boris returned to power, had Vladimir blinded and threw him into a dungeon.