At first glance, the chronicle of the Mongols destroying Riazan would seem to go against the work of God. For why would God allow a “godless” infidel such as Emperor Batu to annihilate a Christian city? However, this story solidifies the importance of Christianity on a much deeper level. Russia has been Christian for several centuries, enough to have the religion ingrained in its culture, and Russia as a Holy Land. As Batu expanded his destruction over Riazan, the value of Christianity became more apparent. It becomes apparent that the Mongols, considered lawless, without a god (without the Christian God, that Kievan Russians felt to be the only true God), religion plays a significant role in the reasoning of this destruction.

The repetition of the phrase “and this was all because of our sins” quite interesting. This explanation of God almost allowing the destruction of Riazan frames God as almost cruel. As the author expands on the seemingly senseless deaths of Christians by mentioning how “Christian blood flows like a great river,” the Rus citizens face a test of their religion. However, this tension between Christianity (what is right in this writing) and the godless Mongols (the undeniable evil) is the main focus of the Christian Rus’ fight without fear. The passion of the Rus is apparent with Eupaty’s regiments fight against Batu. Their answer to Batu asking why he “causes him such evil” is that they are “of the Christian faith.” They have no fear as they fight for Christianity, the true religion.

Starting the piece early on with blaming Batu’s rage on sins and ending with proper Christian burials done by Prince Ingvar highlights a redemption arc of a sort. The writing shows the cruelty of God, but also the loving hand of God. Those who fight for God’s righteousness will live again. Those who escape the godless Mongols, like Prince Ingvar, are successful because of God’s “strong hand.”