- August 24, 2019
- Events
- Olga Strelkova
According to the chronology indicated in the chronicles, modern historians believe that the baptism of Rus' dates back to 988. This date is also considered as the beginning of church history in Russia. The credit for carrying out this act belongs to Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko. But very often we hear about the connection between the baptism of Rus' by Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga, who was his grandmother.
Despite the fact that at the beginning of his reign the said ruler was a pagan, his family was related to the Christian religion. Thus, his mother, the wife of Prince Svyatoslav, whose name was Malusha, was baptized together with Olga in Constantinople. Thus, the event, which played a huge role in the history of the Russian state, had prepared ground. The prerequisites for the baptism of Vladimir Rus and Princess Olga, and her role in preparing for the adoption of Christianity will be discussed in detail in the article.
The first saint in Rus'
Before we figure out how the baptism of Rus' by Prince Vladimir is connected with Olga, his grandmother, let’s look at some facts from her biography. She ruled the Russians for 15 years. During this period, she undertook a number of reforms that strengthened the state. The princess became a Christian before 988 and is revered as the first Russian saint.
In the chronicles you can find many mysteries and chronological discrepancies related to it, but most of the facts available there allow us to speak about their historical authenticity. Olga was born not far from Pskov, but in what year is unknown. She is first mentioned in the story of her marriage to Igor, the Prince of Kyiv.
After this, it is mentioned in the Russian-Byzantine treaty dating back to 944. A year later, Igor died, being killed by the Drevlyans, and Olga began to rule Russia. Her husband's squad obeyed her, recognizing the representative of the three-year-old Svyatoslav, the legitimate heir to the throne. At the same time, Olga cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans by undertaking a military campaign against them.
The situation of Christians in pagan Rus'
One should not think that pagan Rus' carried out severe persecution of Christians, for which Rome was famous in its time. There was relative freedom of religion, and constant contacts with the Byzantines led to the fact that already at the end of 866, the Patriarch of Constantinople Photius, sending out a “District Letter” to the hierarchs, mentioned the baptism of the Rus there.
Russian Christians are also mentioned in the 944 treaty concluded between Byzantium and Kievan Rus. Not only Slavic and Varangian pagans, but also Christians are mentioned as part of the princely squad. And during Olga’s reign there was a cathedral church of St. Elijah, and several large Christian churches.
Thus, Christianity for Rus' was not something unknown and frightening. Christians and pagans coexisted peacefully side by side. Sooner or later, the ruler also had to become interested in foreign religions.
Reign of the Princess
Understanding the question of Princess Olga’s attitude to the baptism of Rus', it should be noted that the chronicles tell a lot about the fact that she was tirelessly “walking” through Russian lands. She was engaged in building political and economic life in the state. Among her achievements are:
- Strengthening the power of the Kyiv prince.
- Improving the tax collection system.
- Centralization of management using the churchyard system.
Pogosts at that time were administrative-territorial units in Rus'; they were associated with the place where the prince and his retinue stayed while collecting tribute. It was called a pogost, a kind of inn, formed from the words “guest”, “to visit”. Later, these units began to include several settlements, and the centers of these settlements were also called that way. With the spread of Christianity, churches began to be built there.
Olga's second visit to the emperor - after baptism in Constantinople
Olga made a second trip to the Byzantine land, already being a true Christian. The princess went to her godfather on the ship. The road to Constantinople took more than a month. There is information that Olga was not accepted to the court right away: the princess had to wait about two months before being received, which was due to certain rules.
Olga brought luxurious gifts with her. The Emperor met his overseas goddaughter with all due honors and attention. In honor of her arrival, a magnificent ceremony took place in the Golden Chamber of the palace. The princess returned from Constantinople with rich Byzantine icons and sacred Christian books.
What is said in the life?
Continuing our consideration of the issue of the baptism of Rus' and Olga as its ruler, the first in the country to officially adopt Christianity, it must be said that the following is said about her works in her life. She ruled the lands under her control as a reasonable and strong man. She firmly held the reins of government in her hands and courageously defended the country from enemy raids. Her enemies feared her, but her people loved her. In all management matters she showed wisdom and foresight.
Olga was merciful at heart, helping the poor, the poor and the poor. Fair requests quickly reached her heart, and she fulfilled them. Under her leadership, the state grew and strengthened. The construction of cities was underway, which were surrounded by oak and stone walls.
During Olga's reign, the first state borders of Kievan Rus were established. The heroic outposts, which are spoken of in epics, protected peaceful life both from nomads attacking from the east and from western raids. Foreign merchants were traveling to Rus' with goods. Scandinavian mercenaries eagerly joined the Russian army. Gradually, Rus' turned into a great power.
People's memory of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
In Pskov there is the Olginskaya embankment, the Olginsky bridge, the Olginsky chapel, as well as two monuments to the princess. Monuments to the saint were erected in Kyiv and Korosten, and Olga’s figure is also present on the “Millennium of Russia” monument in Veliky Novgorod. Olga Bay in the Sea of Japan and an urban-type settlement in the Primorsky Territory are named in honor of Saint Princess Olga. Streets in Kyiv and Lviv are named after Saint Olga. Also in the name of Saint Olga, orders were established: Insignia of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga (established by Emperor Nicholas II in 1915); “Order of Princess Olga” (state award of Ukraine since 1997); Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga (ROC).
Monument to Princess Olga and Vladimir in Pskov. Sculptor Vyacheslav Klykov
Holy Princess Olga at the Monument “1000th Anniversary of Russia” in Veliky Novgorod
Monument to Princess Olga, Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called and Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius in Kyiv
St. Olga Bay
Prerequisites for the baptism of Rus'
Princess Olga, being a wise ruler, understood that her concerns about the life of the state were not enough to finally unite the country. It still consisted of disparate parts both territorially and spiritually - the people worshiped a variety of pagan gods.
In the second half of the 10th century, Rus' remained a state where princely power was not strong, it was maintained only with the use of military force. To strengthen it, it was necessary to create a centralized state. The diversity of beliefs, among other reasons, hindered this process. A national ideology was needed.
Speaking about Olga and the baptism of Rus', we must not forget that many of the neighbors surrounding Ancient Rus' had already decided on a common religion. In order to stand out among other “barbarian” peoples, it was necessary to increase the authority of the Kyiv state. It was also necessary to establish stronger ties with the Christian world. Olga understood this and, like her grandson Vladimir Svyatoslavovich later, looked closely at various religions. She began to think about the Byzantine faith. What was this connected with? This choice cannot be called random.
Before Prince Vladimir
Kievan Rus does not need to be represented as some kind of little world “behind the Iron Curtain”. It was an ordinary Eastern European medieval state. Pagan cults coexisted with Christianity in it. In any case, this is what archaeological finds indicate. The first Christian churches, of which nothing remained except the foundations, existed in all major cities of that time, including Kiev and Novgorod: And if there were churches, then there were parishioners. Otherwise, why build a church? But these churches were most likely not entirely correct from the point of view of official Orthodoxy. They were of the Aryan persuasion, since the first Christianity came to Rus' from Bulgaria. Arianism in Constantinople was considered a heretical doctrine. Otherwise, why would the existing Christian churches in Kyiv, after universal baptism, have to be re-consecrated by clergy who arrived from Byzantium? After her “alleged baptism in Constantinople itself,” Olga built several new churches. And they also had to be rededicated. During the time of Constantine, it was believed that Orthodox churches did not exist in the Kiev state. The Romans did not send their priests to Rus'. On the contrary, the Kyiv land in Byzantium was considered “evil in our faith,” in contrast to the “filthy lands” where real pagans lived. But where would Bulgarian Arianism come from in Rus'?
A look towards Byzantium
Speaking about Olga’s connection with the baptism of Rus', it should be emphasized that during her reign the number of those who converted to Christianity grew among the Slavic population. In 944, Prince Igor concluded a peace treaty with Constantinople, which mentioned “Russian Christians”, as well as persons who had been baptized.
Byzantium had a very great cultural influence on Rus'. Kyiv and Constantinople had long-standing trade and diplomatic ties. In addition, establishing close cooperation with the powerful Byzantine state could help strengthen the grand-ducal power and authority of Kievan Rus.
Thus, Olga and Vladimir thought in the same direction about the baptism of Rus', which will become clear after several decades. They understood that the state needed a religion that would unite separate parts of the country into one whole, which should prevent its collapse. And their eyes were turned towards Byzantium.
How the Russian ruler was baptized
Wanting to become an example for future Slavic generations and contribute to the prosperity of her state, the princess converted to Christianity in 957. Olga was baptized by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus himself, after which the Russian ruler received the name Elena.
Tradition tells that Emperor Constantine was incredibly amazed by Olga's beauty and intelligence. He invited her to enter into a mutually beneficial marriage alliance, which could significantly speed up the rapprochement of the two powerful states. The princess, who wanted to remain faithful to Igor even after his death, refused. At the same time, she acted wisely and diplomatically, emphasizing that according to Christian concepts, a godfather cannot marry his own goddaughter.
After the baptism of Princess Olga in Constantinople, which took place with unprecedented pomp, the Russian ruler and her large retinue went back to Kyiv. Emperor Constantine generously rewarded his goddaughter, presenting her with rich gifts in the form of gold, precious stones and exquisite vessels.
After Olga converted to Christianity, the Russian state experienced many positive consequences: the authority of the state in the international arena increased, customs considered wild began to be gradually eradicated, and the opportunity to enter into dynastic marriages became possible. The baptism turned out to be an important political event, since a peace treaty was concluded between Byzantium and Russia. It was of great importance when military conflicts arose and contributed to their resolution.
Baptized with the name Elena
Having previously decided on her view of the baptism of Rus', Olga equipped a large fleet and set off for Constantinople. She considered her trip simultaneously as a religious pilgrimage, as a diplomatic mission, and as a demonstration of the military power of Rus'.
Considering the question of what year Olga converted to Christianity, it must be said that there is no definite answer to it yet. If you look at the Tale of Bygone Years, then this event dates back to 955, and it says that it happened in Constantinople.
It is noted that she was personally baptized by Emperor Constantine VII together with Patriarch Theophylact. At baptism she was named Helen - just like the queen, the mother of Emperor Constantine I, who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries.
She became famous thanks to her activities related to the spread of Christianity and excavations in Jerusalem, during which relics related to the Passion of the Lord were discovered. In a number of churches, Elena is revered as a saint equal to the apostles.
Olga's request to German Catholics
In 959, the “Queen of the Rugs” Helen, as she is called in the German “Chronicle of the successor of Reginon,” turned to the German Emperor Otto I with a request to send a prelate and clergy to Rus' for instruction in the Christian faith and the organization of church affairs. In 961, Bishop Adalbert of Magdeburg arrived in Kyiv with a large retinue and began to organize the Russian Church. However, something didn’t work out for him, since the next year he had to flee back to Germany along with his assistants.
All sorts of reasons can be assumed for the conflict. This could also be a reaction of the population, pagan for the most part, to the German methods of inculcating Christianity. It could also be that those around Olga gained the upper hand in favor of orientation towards Constantinople. But there is no doubt that for teachers of the faith, just two years after her visit to Constantinople, Olga turned not to the Orthodox Church, but to the Catholic Church. True, the split in Christianity at that time was not yet finalized.
Rejected the emperor's claims
Both in this chronicle and in life, the circumstances of the baptism are decorated with the story that the wise Olga managed to outwit the Byzantine ruler. He was amazed by her wisdom and beauty and wanted to take her as his wife. But she brushed aside his claims, saying that she was a pagan and it was not appropriate for a Christian to woo her.
Then the king and the patriarch baptized her. And the emperor again began to court the princess. But the ruler of Rus' did not fail to note that she was the goddaughter of the tsar, and Christian canons do not allow such marriages.
The ruler of Byzantium generously rewarded her and sent her home in peace. The story presented in the PVL is associated with the story of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon; it is imbued with biblical symbolism. And for this reason, experts believe that it can hardly be called authentic.
Biographical information
The approximate date of birth of Princess Olga is the end of the 9th century. Many historians believe that she was born in 893–894. The Old Russian chronicle “The Tale of Bygone Years” reports that the future ruler was born in the city of Pskov.
It is generally accepted that Olga was of Varangian origin. The names of her parents remain unknown. There are different versions regarding the family to which Olga belonged. According to one of them, she was of humble origin, according to another, she was the daughter of the legendary prince, who went down in history under the name of the Prophetic Oleg.
Marriage to Igor Rurikovich
As a young girl, Olga met Prince Igor, who became an independent ruler in 912. According to one version, she was only 10 or 12 years old at that time.
The legend tells that the future spouses met at a crossing near Pskov. Here the young prince hunted, and Olga was a boat carrier. The young girl was dressed in men's clothing, but Igor was able to see a real beauty in her.
When the time came for Igor to get married, he remembered Olga, who made a great impression on him with her intelligence and beauty, and took her as his lawful wife. The approximate period when the wedding could have taken place is from 903 to 912.
Birth of an heir
The chronicle states that Olga was the prince's only wife. During pagan times, this was very rare, since many rulers acquired numerous wives and concubines.
Igor and Olga did not have children for a long time. The first-born of the couple was Svyatoslav, born around 938–943. The princely couple had no other heirs.
Reign and revenge for murdered husband
In 945, Igor, who was collecting another tribute from the Drevlyan tribe, died at their hands. The prince’s main heir was only 3 years old at that time, so while he was growing up, Olga had to lead Russia. Her reign was marked by wisdom and bold decisions. Igor’s squad obeyed the princess, and the common people fell in love with him for his justice.
Before accepting Christianity, Olga adhered to pagan customs and took revenge on the Drevlyans four times for the death of her husband. Several times she ordered the killing of ambassadors who offered her to marry the Drevlyan prince Mal. Later, the princess marched with an army against this tribe, imposed tribute on it and ordered to burn the capital of the Drevlyans, the city of Iskorosten.
What is known from the essay “On Ceremonies”?
Continuing the discussion about the year in which Princess Olga adopted Christianity, we should also consider information from Byzantine sources. One of them is the essay “On Ceremonies,” written by Constantine Porphyrogenitus.
It only talks about Olga’s only visit to Constantinople; it is described in some detail, but there is no indication of the year in which this event occurred. But the emperor designated two dates for official receptions. The first of them is on September 9, Wednesday, in honor of the arrival of the princess, and the second is on October 18, Sunday. This combination was observed in 946 and 957.
This source tells about the long stay of the princess in the Byzantine capital. When describing the reception, two basileus are mentioned - Constantine and his son Roman II the Younger, who became a formal co-emperor in 945.
What is said about the presence at the ceremony of the children of Roman, who was born in 938, testifies in favor of 957, which is the second answer to the question in what year Olga converted to Christianity. This version is considered by historians to be reliable and is generally accepted today.
Temples in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
In the north-west of Rus' there was a churchyard called Olgin Krest. It was here, as chronicle sources say, that Princess Olga came to collect taxes in 947. In memory of her amazing rescue while crossing the rapids and ice-free Narova, Princess Olga erected a wooden and then a stone cross. In the Olgin Cross tract there were local revered shrines - a temple in the name of St. Nicholas, built in the 15th century, a stone cross, installed, according to legend, in the 10th century by Princess Olga. Later, the cross was embedded in the wall of the Church of St. Nicholas. In 1887, the temple was supplemented with a chapel in the name of St. Princess Olga. St. Nicholas Church was blown up in 1944 by retreating German troops.
The Olgin cross with a church in the name of St. Nicholas
In Kyiv on Trekhsvyatitelskaya Street (Victims of the Revolution Street) until the 30s. XX century there was a church in the name of three saints - Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. It was built in the early 80s. XII century by Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich at the princely court and consecrated in 1183. The church had a chapel in the name of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga.
Three Hierarchs Church with a chapel in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in Kyiv
In the Church of the Assumption from the ferry (from Paromenya) in Pskov, a chapel was consecrated in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. The church was erected on the site of an earlier one, built in 1444. Since 1938, the church has not operated; in 1994, services were resumed there.
Church of the Assumption with a chapel in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in Pskov
In the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the Edinoverie Church in Ulyanovsk was consecrated. The church was built in 1196.
Church in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in Ulyanovsk
In the city of Ulyanovsk there is a church of the same faith in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Church of the Same Faith in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in Ulyanovsk (ROC)
What does the Successor of Regino Pryumsky say?
However, the questions don't end there. Constantine VII nowhere says that Olga was baptized, and does not explain the purpose of her visit. Among those accompanying the ruler of Rus' is a priest named Gregory. Based on this, some historians suggest that during her arrival in Constantinople the princess had already converted to Christianity. Then why does the emperor call her a pagan name?
Baptism in the Byzantine capital is also mentioned by the successor of the works of Regino of Prüm, the author of the 10th-century World Chronicle. The name of Emperor Romanus II is mentioned there, which suggests the year 957. The testimony of this author is considered reliable, since historians assume that behind this name is Bishop Adalbert of Magdeburg, who was at the head of an unsuccessful mission to Kyiv in 961 and had first-hand information.
Reasons for accepting the Christian faith
Being a pagan, Olga eventually began to lean towards accepting Christianity. Historians believe that there were several significant reasons for this:
- the desire to unite disparate Slavic tribes, which could only be facilitated by a strong, united faith;
- the need to make Rus' a more civilized power, since pagan rituals were perceived throughout the world as barbaric;
- the desire to follow the example of Europe, where many countries at that time were already Christian;
- the need for rapprochement with the culturally developed Byzantium, increasing the level of education and spirituality of the Russian people.
Before being baptized, Olga and her ambassadors went to the city of Constantinople (Tsargrad). In the Byzantine capital, the princess planned to personally meet with the emperor, visit Orthodox churches and get acquainted with the peculiarities of rituals in order to make a final decision about converting to the new faith.
What does John Skylitzes say?
There is also a later Byzantine source from the 11th century that speaks of baptism in the 950s. This is the History of the Byzantine Emperors from 811 to 1057, written by John Skylitzes, an official of Alexios Comnenus and a chronicler.
He reports that Elga, the wife of a Russian archon who once went on a campaign against the Romans, arrived in Constantinople after the death of her husband. She openly chose the true faith, was baptized and received great honor, and then returned home.
Thus, according to information from most sources, Olga accepted the Christian faith in the capital of Byzantium in the fall of 957. In all likelihood, Romanus baptized her son Constantine VII together with Patriarch Polyeuctus. Olga decided on this step in advance, despite the fact that the legend set out in The Tale of Bygone Years portrays it as spontaneous.
Sources and contemporaries about the journey and baptism
It is unlikely that Konstantin Porphyrogenitus would have proposed marriage to Olga: he was already married. Moreover, his wife, Elena Lakapina, was his political adviser and de facto co-ruler. It is unlikely that the Byzantine emperor would destroy his profitable marriage (Elena was the daughter of Emperor Roman I) for the sake of a political union with the “barbarian” Kievan Rus.
Let's take a closer look at what different sources write about Olga's stay in Constantinople.
Byzantine sources
The main historical source about the baptism of Princess Olga can be considered the notes of the main participant in the events - Emperor Constantine.
Thanks to his notes, we know that the emperor’s wife, Elena, received Olga separately from her husband, in her half of the palace. Moreover, the first audience took place between the rulers: Olga spoke with Konstantin after she had rested.
However, historians suggest that issues of political marriage were nevertheless raised. True, not by Constantine, but by Olga herself: she wanted to arrange a dynastic marriage between her son Svyatoslav and one of the Byzantine princesses. Constantine refused: giving the princess to a pagan was not part of his plans. And Svyatoslav, unlike his mother, was very skeptical about Christianity.
But, despite the absence of a dynastic marriage, Olga managed to conclude a peace treaty with Constantine. This was also beneficial for the Byzantines themselves: the emperor needed powerful military support to fight his political opponent Nicephorus Phocas.
In honor of the stay of the Russian princess in Constantinople, Elena Lakapina gave a luxurious dinner, after which the embassy was presented with rich gifts. True, in contrast to the Russian chronicle listing countless treasures, Byzantine sources indicate a more modest offering: a golden bowl, decorated with precious stones, filled with silver coins. The gift was indeed very generous at that time.
For the second reception with the Byzantine emperor, Olga arrived as a Christian. Moreover, the Russian chronicle, which recorded the emperor as Olga’s godparents, clearly embellishes the events. Constantine indicated that the sacrament was performed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Basileus himself did not take any part in it.
We can find the most reliable information about Olga’s embassy to Constantinople in the treatise of Constantine Porphyrogenitus “On the ceremonies of the Byzantine court”, as well as in the German “Chronicle”.
So we can conclude that Russian sources of the 10th and subsequent centuries greatly embellish reality.
German sources
Unlike Russian sources, where Olga's visit to Constantinople is presented as a legendary event, German sources were more specific in their description.
It is known that the princess went to Constantinople in the summer of 975, by ship. She brought rich gifts with her, and on the road she was accompanied by a retinue, totaling about a thousand people. The journey to Byzantium took about forty days and ended in the Golden Horn Bay.
Moreover, the imperial court did not immediately accept the distinguished guest: Olga had to receive an invitation to the court until September 9.
The Emperor received the princess in the Golden Chamber, and the ceremony was very magnificent. However, the one-on-one conversation did not take place. Moreover, the emperor did not utter a word at all; a special courtier spoke on his behalf.
Apostolic feat of Princess Olga
Olga brought icons and liturgical books to Kyiv. She erected a temple in the name of St. Nicholas. She converted many Kiev residents to Christ. The princess went to the North to preach the true faith. On the Kyiv and Pskov lands, in remote territories and at crossroads, she ordered the installation of crosses and the destruction of pagan idols. Temples were built in cities.
The apostolic works of Princess Olga were resisted by the pagans - both overt and secret. Among the warriors and boyars there were many who hated her. The pagans influenced her son Svyatoslav, who did not want to accept Christianity.
Troparion, kontakion and canon to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
Troparion, tone 1
Having fixed your mind on the wing of God's understanding, you soared above visible creatures, seeking God and the Creator in every way. And having found Him, you again accepted the destruction through baptism. And having enjoyed the tree of the living cross of Christ, you remain incorruptible forever, ever glorious.
Kontakion, tone 4
Let us sing today to God, the Benefactor of all, who glorified the God-wise Olga in Rus'. And through her prayers, Christ, grant remission of sins to our souls.
Library of the Russian Faith Canon to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga →
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In recent years
At the end of her life, Olga experienced many sorrows. Her son prevented her attempts to establish Christianity in Rus'. She taught his children and her grandchildren the faith, but did not dare to baptize them, fearing the prince’s anger. In order not to cause an outbreak of anti-Christian sentiment, Olga had to keep the priest secretly with her.
The princess passed away in 969. And after 19 years, the seeds that were sown by her bore fruitful shoots. Prince Vladimir brought the Christian faith to Rus'. Thus, although Olga is not directly related to the official date of the baptism of Rus', she stood at the very origins of this event.
Olga's baptism. She was the first Russian to “enter the Kingdom of Heaven”
Tradition says that Olga was brought up in a pagan faith, but by nature she was “chaste and wise.”
Igor, the son of Rurik, who reigned in Kyiv, hunted in the Pskov region. One day he needed to cross the Velikaya River. The prince noticed a young man sailing along the river on a shuttle and asked to transport him. Igor mistook Olga for a young rower. The girl was slender and beautiful, and “the prince’s heart was on fire.” Olga guessed the prince’s thoughts and shamed him, reminding him that the prince must show his subjects an example of pious behavior.
The prince was surprised by the wisdom and courage of a simple girl. Returning to Kyiv, Igor realized that he fell in love with Olga, and therefore ordered her to be brought from Pskov and took her as his wife. As the author of the “Life” of Saint Olga notes, she “left the light oar of her small boat in order to later take up the helm of the state.”
The chronicles say nothing about what Olga did while her husband was alive. However, the Tale of Bygone Years provides the text of the agreement between Prince Igor and the Byzantines (944), where the ambassador of Princess Olga Iskusevi ranks third among the persons who participated in the negotiations. This suggests that Olga had a certain political authority even before her husband’s death.
When Igor was killed by the Drevlyans, Olga began to rule the state. We can say that she was a regent for her young son Svyatoslav. The princess refused to marry a second time, living the rest of her days in pure widowhood.
There is a well-known story about the unsuccessful matchmaking of the Drevlyan prince Mal. Olga ordered the first ambassadors from the prince to be brought in a boat, thrown into a deep hole and buried alive. She ordered others to be burned alive in the bathhouse.
At the funeral feast (funeral meal) on Igor's mound, on her orders, the Drevlyans were given drunk honey and chopped up.
Then Olga returned to Kyiv, gathered an army and marched against the Drevlyans. Her young son Svyatoslav was with her on the hike. The princess's warriors besieged the city of Iskorosten, whose inhabitants killed Igor. The siege lasted the whole summer, and towards autumn Olga decided to take the city by cunning. She invited the residents to pay her a light tribute - 3 doves and 3 sparrows from each yard.
The people were happy about this and sent the birds to the princess, and she ordered them to tie a smoldering tinder to each of them and let them go. The pigeons and sparrows returned to their nests. The tinder caused haylofts, canopies, and roofs of houses to catch fire... There was no yard where the fire started. People ran out of the city, and Olga’s warriors grabbed them, and Iskorosten burned to the ground.
So Olga took revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband.
After this, Olga's affairs were mostly peaceful. Throughout the land under her control, she established the exact amounts and timing of tribute collection. The power of local elders was gradually replaced by the management of princely tiuns. Thus began the process of centralization of the Russian state. The reforms carried out by Olga were highly appreciated by N.M. Karamzin, who wrote that she “proved by her wise rule that a weak wife can sometimes be equal to great men.”
At the confluence of the Pskova River and the Velikaya River, Olga founded the city of Pskov. A wonderful vision was revealed to her: three bright rays shone in the middle of the forest. Wise Olga realized that a church would be built here in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity.
Having settled the internal affairs of the state, Olga took up foreign policy. She did not wage major wars and paid great attention to diplomacy. Largely thanks to Olga, Rus' developed close, even family relations with Byzantium.
When Svyatoslav matured, Olga gave him the opportunity to rule the Russian state, and she herself turned to knowledge of the truth. It can be assumed that the princess was familiar with her native pagan religion down to its subtleties, but with its help it was possible to resolve not all the issues that interested the princess. Wise Olga could not help but be interested in Christianity, which was new to Rus'.
Although the Tale of Bygone Years says that Olga was “the first of the Russians to enter the kingdom of heaven,” in fact, Christianity began to spread on Russian soil half a century before the beginning of the princess’s reign. It's just that very few people were baptized.
It is impossible to say for sure who was the ruler’s mentor in matters of faith. Perhaps it was the priest Gregory, who, as reported in the chronicle, accompanied the princess to Constantinople. Perhaps it was he who advised Olga to go to Byzantium in order to better know Christianity and, if she wished, to be baptized.
Having equipped a large fleet and collected valuable gifts, Olga set off for Constantinople. The Russian princess was greeted with honor by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus and the patriarch. The Tsaregrad ruler was so fascinated by Olga's beauty and intelligence that he invited her to marry him. At that time the princess was about 60 years old.
It was impossible to refuse - this could entail a severance of diplomatic and trade relations between Rus' and Byzantium. Olga decided on a trick. Before the wedding, she asked to be baptized (after all, the Christian emperor could not marry a pagan), and Constantine himself was chosen as godfather.
When, after the sacrament, the emperor began talking about the wedding, Olga asked in surprise how he could marry his goddaughter if this was prohibited by law? The question of marriage was resolved. One can only guess how the emperor could have missed this important dogmatic point.
At her baptism, Olga was given the name Elena in honor of the mother of Constantine the Great. The patriarch himself instructed the princess in matters of faith. “Blessed are you among Russian women, for you loved the light and left the darkness. The Russian sons will bless you until the last generations of your grandchildren,” the bishop told her. To this Olga replied: “Through your prayers, sir, may I be saved from the snares of the devil.” When Olga returned to Kyiv, the Byzantine emperor sent envoys to her, since upon her return the princess promised to send him furs and jewelry. However, Olga refused to transfer the gifts through the ambassadors, answering that she would give the sovereign soldiers, wax and furs only if he agreed to stay in her native country.
Constantine's ambassadors returned home empty-handed.
Olga's baptism had not only personal, but also enormous national significance. Many people, imitating the princess, converted to Orthodoxy. Olga's son Svyatoslav refused baptism, explaining that the soldiers from his squad, who worshiped pagan gods, would laugh and lose respect for the prince, who believed in the crucified Christ. And Olga’s grandson Vladimir not only converted to Orthodoxy, but also baptized Rus'.
After Olga converted to Orthodoxy, our country established qualitatively new relations with Byzantium. Rus' began to be symbolically considered the daughter of Byzantium (after all, Olga also became the goddaughter of the Byzantine emperor), and this marked the beginning of closer relations between the states. It was then that the foundation was laid for the idea of Moscow as the “third Rome” - the direct heir of this great spiritual center.
By order of Olga, temples and churches began to be built in Rus'. In 960, the Church of St. Sophia of the Wisdom of God was consecrated in Kyiv. His main shrine was the cross donated by the Patriarch of Constantinople.
No matter how hard Olga tried to establish Christianity in Rus', paganism for the time being prevailed. The princess's own son Svyatoslav ordered the killing of some Kyiv Christians and German missionaries invited by his mother. In the end, to prevent the relationship with her son from going completely wrong, Olga had to keep the priest secretly with her.
The princess died on July 11 (24 New Art.), 969, having received the Holy Mysteries of Christ. At her request, Svyatoslav buried his mother according to Christian custom in the Kiev Church of St. Nicholas, built by Olga.
The princess's body remained incorrupt, and her grandson Vladimir transferred the saint's relics to the Tithe Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Olga Bogdanova
Text provided by the online publication “Tatiana’s Day”
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Paintings
Russian artists brought to life episodes from the life of the holy princess:
- V. Sazonov - introduction of Prince Igor and Olga;
- V. Surikov captured Olga in a sketch at the meeting of the body of the murdered prince;
- F. Bruni - in the engraving, revenge on the Drevlyans, their throwing into ditches in shuttles.
On M. Nesterov’s canvas, the holy princess is depicted with a halo, cross and temple in her hand, as in an icon, but against the backdrop of the bay.
Texts of prayers
Prayer for wisdom and strengthening in faith
“Oh, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olgo, the first saint of Russia, a warm intercessor and prayer book for us before God. We resort to you with faith and pray with love: be your helper and accomplice in everything for our good, and just as in temporal life you tried to enlighten our forefathers with the light of the holy faith and instruct me to do the will of the Lord, so now, in the heavenly lordship, favorable With your prayers to God, help us in enlightening our minds and hearts with the light of the Gospel of Christ, so that we may advance in faith, piety and love of Christ. In poverty and sorrow, give comfort to the needy, give a helping hand to those in need, stand up for those who are offended and mistreated, those who have gone astray from the right faith and are blinded by heresies, and ask us from the all-generous God for all that is good and useful in temporal and eternal life, so that having lived well here, we will be worthy of an inheritance eternal blessings in the endless Kingdom of Christ our God, to Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, belongs all glory, honor and worship, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Prayer for Intercession
“O holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olgo, accept praise from us, unworthy servants of God (names), who pray and humbly ask before your honorable icon: protect us with your prayers and intercession from misfortunes and troubles, and sorrows, and fierce sins; We will also be delivered from future torments by honestly creating your holy memory and glorifying God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Glorifying prayer for peace, salvation and prosperity of the Fatherland
“O great saint of God, God-chosen and God-glorified, equal to the apostles Grand Duchess Olgo! You rejected pagan evil and wickedness, you believed in the One True Trinitarian God and you accepted holy baptism and laid the foundation for the enlightenment of the Russian land with the light of faith and piety. You are our spiritual ancestor, you, according to Christ our Savior, are the first culprit of the enlightenment and salvation of our race. You are a warm prayer book and intercessor for the kingdom of all Russia, for its kings, rulers, the army and for all people. For this reason, we humbly pray to you: look at our weaknesses and beg the most merciful King of Heaven, so that He will not be angry with us, as through our weaknesses we sin all day long, and may He not destroy us with our iniquities, but may He have mercy and save us in His mercy, may He implant His saving fear in our hearts, may He enlighten our minds with His grace, so that we understand the ways of the Lord, leave the paths of wickedness and error, and strive in the paths of salvation and truth, the unwavering fulfillment of the commandments of God and the statutes of the Holy Church. Pray, blessed Olgo, to God, the Lover of Mankind, to add His great mercy to us: may he deliver us from the invasion of foreigners, from internal disorder, rebellion and strife, from famine, deadly diseases and from all evil; may he give us the goodness of the air and the fruitfulness of the earth, may he give the shepherds zeal for the salvation of their flock, may all people hasten to diligently correct their services, may they have love among themselves and like-mindedness, may they strive faithfully for the good of the Fatherland and the Holy Church, may the light of saving faith in Our Fatherland, in all its ends; may unbelievers turn to faith, may all heresies and schisms be abolished; Yes, having lived in peace on earth, we will be worthy of eternal bliss in heaven, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen".
What does it help with?
The Holy Princess patronizes girls and women with the name Olga. She is the guardian of goodness and mutual understanding in the family.
Wisdom
Appealing to the holy princess will help you make the right life choice, resolve a conflict, and act fairly.
Dealing with Anxieties and Temptations
Saint Olga will help people with weak wills to resist temptations. It will calm anxiety for loved ones on the move.
Strengthening Perseverance in Faith
Saint Olga did not deviate from her faith in Christ, despite the rejection by her son and people of the new religion. It helps to cast aside doubts and rely on the Will of the Lord.
