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Birth:          ABT  830 
Death:          2 May  907 

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_II_of_Bulgaria
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_I_of_Bulgaria
Boris I, also known as Boris-Mikhail (Michael) and Bogoris (Bulgarian: ????? I / 
?????-??????; died 2 May 907), was the ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire in 852–
889. At the time of his baptism in 864, Boris was named Michael after his godfather, 
Emperor Michael III. The historian Steven Runciman called him one of the greatest 
persons in history.[1]

Despite a number of military setbacks, the reign of Boris I was marked with significant 
events that shaped Bulgarian and European history. With the Christianization of 
Bulgaria the traditional state religion Tengriism was abolished. A skilful diplomat, Boris 
I successfully exploited the conflict between the Patriarchate of Constantinople and 
the Papacy to secure an autocephalous Bulgarian Church, thus dealing with the 
nobility's concerns about Byzantine interference in Bulgaria's internal affairs.

When in 885 the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius were banished from Great 
Moravia, Boris I gave them refuge and provided assistance to develop the Bulgarian 
alphabet and literature. After he abdicated in 889, his eldest son and successor tried 
to restore the old pagan religion but was deposed by Boris I. During the Council of 
Preslav which followed that event, the Byzantine clergy was replaced with Bulgarians, 
and the Greek language was replaced with what is now known as Old Church 
Slavonic, which in Bulgaria is called and known as Old Bulgarian, as an official 
language of the Church and the state.

He is regarded as a saint in the Orthodox Church, as the Prince and baptizer of 
Bulgaria, and as Equal-to-the-Apostles, with his feast day observed on May 2.[2]
Name and titles[edit]

After his official act of conversion to Christianity, Boris adopted the Christian name 
Michael. He is sometimes called Boris-Michael in historical research.

The only direct evidence of Boris's title are his seals and the inscription found near 
the town of Ballsh, modern Albania, and at Varna. There he is called by the Byzantine 
title "Archon of Bulgaria", which is usually translated as "ruler", and in the 10-11th 
centuries also as "Knyaz" (?????, Bulg.).[3] In the Bulgarian sources from that period, 
Boris I is called "Knyaz" or "Tsar" ("????", Bulg.), and during the Second Bulgarian 
Empire, "Tsar".[4]

In modern historiography Boris is called by different titles. Most historians accept that 
he changed his title after his conversion to Christianity. According to them, before the 
baptism he had the title Khan[5] or Kanasubigi,[6][7] and after that Knyaz.[8] 
According to another theory, the title Knyaz was used by Bulgarian rulers since the 
reign of Asparukh.[9]
***
The End of Boris' Reign[edit]

In 889 Boris abdicated the throne and became a monk. His son and successor 
Vladimir attempted a pagan reaction, which brought Boris out of retirement in 893. 
Vladimir was defeated and Boris had him blinded, his wife shaved and sent to a 
monastery. Boris gathered the Council of Preslav placing his third son, Tsar Simeon I 
of Bulgaria on the throne, threatening him with the same fate if he too apostatized. 
Boris returned to his monastery, emerging once again in c. 895 to help Simeon fight 
the Magyars, who had invaded Bulgaria in alliance with the Byzantines. After the 
passing of this crisis, Boris resumed monastic life and died in 907. The location of his 
retreat, where perhaps he was interred, is not certain; it may be near Preslav but also 
in Pliska or in a monastery near Varna or Ravda.

Legacy[edit]

St. Boris Peak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named 
for Boris I of Bulgaria.

Boris I's life is featured in the 1985 film "Boris I" (????? ?????), with Stefan Danailov 
in the title role.

Parents
____ Presian I (ABT  800 -  852)
----- ----- ()

Siblings
____ Boris I (ABT  830 - 2 May  907)

Marriage To ____ Maria ()
    m.  

Notes


Children by ____ Maria 
____ Simeon I (ABT  865 -  927)

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