The czar of the Rus wanted to unite his people under one religion. He invited representatives from Judaism, Islam, Catholicism and Orthodoxy to convince him which would be the religion of his people. While he found much to admire in each expression of faith he decided on Orthodoxy because of the beauty of their liturgy: “We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere upon earth. …” If he had invited Jesus he would have been given a different way of evaluating which tradition to follow — a religion that cared for those who are in need. “Go and tell what you have seen and heard: the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
