PERU: Vladimir Montesinos

I wondered why Fujimori's intelligence chief was named Vladimir. Usually, in places like Cuba, the name is given to honor Vladimir Lenin. Linda Nyquist comments: "I do not know anything about the couple who named their son "Vladimir," but you musn't be so suspicious. It is certain that this was a devoutly Catholic couple who attended mass daily and kept a shrine in their humble home honoring Nuestra Senora. They were interested in the Eastern rites of the Holy Mother Church. The baby was obviously named for Saint Vladimir. Don't you agree?"

My reply:Vladimir (956-1015) is indeed a saint in the Orthodox Church. He became Grand Duke of Kiev by killing his brother. At first anti-Christian, he was converted and married to a sister of the Byzantine Emperor. (Was this a condition?). He became an ardent Christian and forced his subjects to be baptized. He has no standing in the Catholic Church, and I am puzzled that a humble Peruvian couple would have heard of him. If Linda is right, this case would seem unique in the western Catholic world. Perhaps John Dunlop can tell us about the Eastern Rite Catholic Church. Can any WAISer make us wiser?

Ronald Hilton - 4/1/01