Duchess Olga. The role of the ruler of the State
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, baptized Elena (c. 890 - July 11, 969), ruled Kievan Rus after the death of her husband, Prince Igor Rurikovich from 945 to 962. The first of the Russian rulers adopted Christianity even before the baptism of Rus', the first Russian saint. The name of Princess Olga is at the source of Russian history, and is associated with the greatest events of the founding of the first dynasty, with the first establishment of Christianity in Rus' and the bright features of Western civilization. The Grand Duchess went down in history as the great creator of the state life and culture of Kievan Rus. After her death, the common people called her cunning, the church - a saint, history - wise.
Grand Duchess Olga (c. 890 - July 11, 969) was the wife of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Igor.
The main information about Olga's life, recognized as reliable, is contained in the Tale of Bygone Years, the Life from the Book of Degrees, the hagiographic work of the monk Jacob "Memory and praise to the Russian prince Volodimer" and the work of Konstantin Porphyrogenitus "On the ceremonies of the Byzantine court." Other sources provide additional information about Olga, but their reliability cannot be accurately determined.
Olga came from the glorious family of Gostomysl (the ruler of Veliky Novgorod even before Prince Rurik). She was born in the Pskov land, in the village of Vybuty, 12 km from Pskov, up the Velikaya River, in a pagan family from the dynasty of princes Izborsky. Disputes about the exact date of Olga's birth are still ongoing. - some historians insist on the date c.890, others - on the date 920 (although this date is absurd due to the fact that Olga married Igor under Prophetic Oleg, who died in 912). Both dates can be questioned, so they are accepted conditionally. The names of Olga's parents have not been preserved.
When Olga was already 13 years old, she became the wife of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Igor. According to legend, Prince Igor was engaged in hunting. Once, when he was hunting in the Pskov forests, while tracking down the beast, he went to the river bank. Deciding to cross the river, he asked Olga, who was passing by on a boat, to transport him, mistaking her at first for a young man. When they sailed, Igor, carefully peering into the face of the rower, saw that this was not a young man, but a girl. The girl turned out to be very beautiful, smart and pure thoughts. Olga's beauty wounded Igor's heart, and he began to seduce her with words, inclining her to impure carnal confusion. However, the chaste girl, having understood the thoughts of Igor, inflamed by lust, shamed him with wise admonition. The prince was surprised at such an outstanding mind and chastity of a young girl, and did not harass her.
Igor was the only son of the Novgorod prince Rurik (+879). When his father died, the prince was still very young. Before his death, Rurik handed over the rule in Novgorod to his relative and governor Oleg and appointed him Igor's guardian. Oleg was a successful warrior and a wise ruler. People called him Prophetic. He conquered the city of Kyiv and united many Slavic tribes around him. Oleg loved Igor like his own son and raised a real warrior out of him. And when it was time to look for a bride for him, in Kyiv they arranged a show of beautiful girls in order to find among them a girl worthy of the prince's palace, but not one of them
did not like the prince. For in his heart the choice of a bride had long been made: he ordered that the beautiful boatwoman who had transported him across the river be summoned. Prince Oleg with great honor brought Olga to Kyiv, and Igor entered into marriage with her. Having married the young prince to Olga, the aging Olegbegan to diligently make sacrifices to the gods so that Igor would be given an heir. For nine long years, Oleg made many bloody sacrifices to idols, burned so many people and bulls alive, waited for what they would give Slavic gods Igor son. Not wait. He died in 912 from a snake bite that crawled out of the skull of his former horse.
Pagan idols began to disappoint the princess: many years of sacrifices to idols did not give her the desired heir. Well, how will Igor act according to human custom and take another wife, a third? The harem will lead. Who will she be then? And then the princess decided to pray to the Christian God. And Olga began at night to fervently ask Him for a son-heir.
And so in 942 ,in the twenty-fourth year life together, an heir was born to Prince Igor - Svyatoslav! Prince Olga filled up with gifts. She took the most expensive ones to the church of Elijah - for the Christian God. Happy years have flown by. Olga began to think about the Christian faith and about the benefits from it for the country. Only Igor did not share such thoughts: his gods in battles never cheated on him.
According to the chronicle, in 945, Prince Igor dies at the hands of the Drevlyans after repeated collection of tribute from them (he became the first ruler in the history of Russia, who died from popular indignation). Igor Rurikovich was executed , in the tract, with the help of an honorary "break". Having bent over two young, flexible oaks, they tied them by the arms and legs, and let them go ...
F. Bruni. Igor's execution
The heir to the throne, Svyatoslav, was then only 3 years old, therefore Olga became the actual ruler of Kievan Rus in 945 . Igor's squad obeyed her, recognizing Olga as the representative of the legitimate heir to the throne.
After the murder of Igor, the Drevlyans sent matchmakers to his widow Olga to call her to marry their prince Mal. The princess cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans, showing cunning and strong will. Olga's revenge on the Drevlyans is described in detail and in detail in The Tale of Bygone Years.
Revenge Princess Olga
After the massacre of the Drevlyans, Olga began to rule Kievan Rus until Svyatoslav came of age, but even after that she remained the de facto ruler, since her son was absent from military campaigns most of the time.
The foreign policy of Princess Olga was carried out not by military methods, but by diplomacy. She strengthened international ties with Germany and Byzantium. Relations with Greece revealed to Olga how much the Christian faith is higher than the pagan one.
In 954, Princess Olga went to Tsargrad (Constantinople) for the purpose of religious pilgrimage and diplomatic mission., where she was received with honor by Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. For two whole years she got acquainted with the basics of the Christian faith, attending divine services in St. Sophia Cathedral. She was struck by the grandeur of Christian churches and the shrines gathered in them.
The sacrament of baptism over her was performed by Patriarch Theophylact of Constantinople, and the emperor himself became the recipient. The name of the Russian princess was named in honor of the holy Empress Helena, who received the Cross of the Lord. The Patriarch blessed the newly baptized princess with a cross carved from whole piece The life-giving tree of the Lord with the inscription: “The Russian land was renewed with the Holy Cross, and Olga, the noble princess, accepted it.”
Princess Olga became the first ruler of Rus' to be baptized , although both the squad and the Russian people during her time were pagan. Olga's son, Grand Duke Kyiv Svyatoslav Igorevich.
Upon returning to Kyiv, Olga tried to introduce Svyatoslav to Christianity, but “he did not even think of listening to this; but if someone was going to be baptized, he did not forbid, but only mocked him. Moreover, Svyatoslav was angry with his mother for her persuasion, fearing to lose the respect of the squad. Svyatoslav Igorevich remained a convinced pagan.
Upon return from Byzantium Olga zealously carried the Christian gospel to the pagans, began to erect the first Christian churches: in the name of St. Nicholas over the grave of the first Kyiv prince-Christian Askold and Hagia Sophia in Kyiv over the grave of Prince Dir, the Church of the Annunciation in Vitebsk, the Church of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity in Pskov, the place for which, according to the chronicler, was indicated to her from above by the “Ray of the Tri-radiant Deity” - on the banks of the Velikaya River, she saw “three bright beams” descending from the sky.
Holy Princess Olga died in 969, at the age of 80. and was buried in the earth according to the Christian rite.
Sergei Efoshkin. Duchess Olga. Dormition
Her imperishable relics rested in the Church of the Tithes in Kyiv. Her grandson, Prince Vladimir I Svyatoslavich, the Baptist of Rus', transferred (in 1007) the relics of the saints, including Olga, to the church he founded Dormition Holy Mother of God in Kyiv (Tithing Church). Likely, in the reign of Vladimir (970-988), Princess Olga began to be revered as a saint. This is evidenced by the transfer of her relics to the church and the description of miracles given by the monk Jacob in the 11th century.
In 1547 Olga was canonized as a saint Equal-to-the-Apostles. Only 5 more holy women in Christian history have received such an honor (Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Thekla, Martyr Apphia, Empress Helena Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia Nina).
The memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga is celebrated by Orthodox and Catholic and other Western churches.
Princess Olga was the first of the Russian princes to officially accept Christianity and was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in the pre-Mongolian period. The baptism of Princess Olga did not lead to the establishment of Christianity in Rus', but she had a great influence on her grandson Vladimir, who continued her work. She did not wage wars of conquest, but directed all her energy to internal politics, therefore, for a long time, the people retained a good memory of her: the princess carried out an administrative and tax reform, which eased the situation ordinary people and ordered life in the state.
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The Holy Princess Olga is revered as the patroness of widows and newly converted Christians. Residents of Pskov consider Olga its founder. In Pskov there is the Olginskaya embankment, the Olginskiy bridge, the Olginskaya chapel. The days of the liberation of the city from the fascist invaders (July 23, 1944) and the memory of St. Olga are celebrated in Pskov as City Days.
Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK
for the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills
John troparion of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, tone 8
In you, God-wise Elena, the image of salvation is known to be in the Ruste country, / as if, having received the bath of holy Baptism, you followed Christ, / doing and teaching, to leave the idol charm, / take care of the soul, things are immortal, / the same and rejoices with the Angels, Equal-to-the-Apostles, your spirit.
In kontakion of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, tone 4
Appear today the grace of all God, / glorify Olga the God-wise in Rus', / with prayers to her, Lord, / grant people / forgiveness of sin.
Prayer to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
Oh, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, first-year-old Russian, warm intercessor and prayer book for us before God! We resort to you with faith and pray with love: be our helper and helper in everything for the good, and, as if in temporal life, you tried to enlighten our forefathers with the light of holy faith and instruct me to do the will of the Lord, so now, in heaven, you are grace, favorable help us with your prayers to God in enlightening our minds and hearts with the light of the Gospel of Christ, may we prosper in faith, piety and love of Christ. In poverty and sorrow of the present comfort, give a helping hand to the needy, intercede for the offended and afflicted, those who have strayed from the right faith and blinded by heresy, enlighten and ask us from the All-Generous God all the good and useful life temporal and eternal, yes it is pleasing to live here, let us be worthy of the inheritance of eternal blessings in the infinite Kingdom of Christ our God, to Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit all glory, honor and worship is due always, now and forever and forever and ever. A min.
GRAND DUCHESS OLGA (890-969)
From the cycle "History of the Russian State".
The icon of which since the 16th century has become one of the most revered in Rus'. She and her grandson Saint Prince Vladimir, who expelled the darkness of paganism from the Dnieper banks with the light of Christ's faith, complementing each other, have become in our history the embodiment of the maternal and paternal spiritual principles.
Bride of the Kyiv prince
The oldest of the chronicles, called "The Tale of Bygone Years", is the first literary monument that has come down to us, mentioning the name of Princess Olga, this "spiritual mother of Russia", whose image is shown to us today by an icon stored in most churches. Saint Olga is presented in this document as the young bride of Prince Igor of Kyiv.
Tradition tells that she belonged to the oldest family of the Izborsk princes and was born in 894 in the village of Vybuty, located not far from Pskov. Her first meeting with her future groom took place there, which left in his heart the memory of a pure and chaste beauty living on the banks of the Velikaya River.
The bitterness of early widowhood
It was she who he preferred to all other brides who came to Kyiv when it was time to name his chosen one. And he made her his wife and Grand Duchess of Kievan Rus. But Olga was not given a long family happiness. As soon as their firstborn, Svyatoslav, was born to them, trouble befell the young princess - Igor accepted a fierce death in the dense forest thickets at the hands of the insidious Drevlyans who inhabited those parts.
The inconsolable widow grieved, the inconsolable widow was killed, but grief could not be helped, but she had to raise her son, and now she remained the sole ruler of the Russian land. From now on, all state concerns fell on her women's shoulders. But first, in order to calm the soul, and honor her husband's memory as it should, Olga decided to punish the murderers of her husband.
It was only later, having become a Christian, that she began, according to the teachings of the true faith, to pray for her enemies and forgive insults. Then she poured out on the destroyers of her husband all the insane fury of the dark pagan. Twice luring their embassies to Kyiv, she ordered some to be buried alive, and others to be burned by fire. And in order to drink the enemy’s blood to the brim, she moved her squads to the cities of the Drevlyans, where the number of killed enemies was in the thousands.
Ruler of Rus'
No, this image is not shown to us today by the temple icon. Saint Olga was born later from the font of Constantinople, and then a strong and merciless ruler appeared before the tribes and peoples who inhabited Ancient Rus', who showed in herself a power worthy of an outstanding statesman. And with difficulty, but obeyed her subjects.
The wise princess achieved the strengthening of her centralized power, dividing the lands subject to her into “graveyards” - separate areas in which she placed a governor, and each of them introduced a quitrent, which she sent armed detachments to collect. The very name "graveyards" is believed to have come from these very "guests" who never left empty-handed. It was unprofitable for people, but the treasury was in abundance, and, therefore, for the benefit of the state.
And guided by the firm hand of the wise ruler, Rus' strengthened in every possible way. The economy developed, and at the same time new cities appeared. Every year the young prince Svyatoslav also grew up, who, upon reaching the required years, was to take control of the state in his own hands.
Concern for the spiritual enlightenment of the people
Having before her the example of one of the most powerful states at that time - Byzantium, Princess Olga understood that for the prosperity of the state it was not enough just to take care of its economic well-being and military strength. She realized that only a community of spiritual life could bring together its inhabitants and become a reliable basis for the formation of a nation.
The Lord helped her right choice, and, leaving the state in the care of her already grown up son, Olga, at the head of a large fleet, went to Constantinople to see with her own eyes the earthly fruits brought by faith, and at the same time solve pressing diplomatic issues and demonstrate military power.
Spiritual birth in the holy font
In the Byzantine capital, the imagination of the princess was struck by the abundance of temples and the magnificence of the services performed in them. She listened enchanted to church singing and for the first time comprehended new concepts for her - confession, liturgy, the cross and the icon. Saint Olga was baptized by Theophylact, and during the ceremony, Emperor Constantine the Bogrianogenny himself was her godfather.
Upon completion of the sacrament, the princess was honored with the name Elena, in honor of the holy mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who received the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and became famous for spreading the true faith in the Roman state. Having become like her, the newly baptized ruler of Rus', returning to her homeland, became a preacher of Christianity in the lands subject to her.
Pious labors at home
Princess Olga arrived home with a large luggage of icons and liturgical books. With her, several Orthodox priests also came to Rus', who were to convert the people of Kiev to Christ, who until that time had worshiped idols. By order of Olga in Kyiv, on the grave of the first Christian Prince Askold, a temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was erected, in which an icon brought from Constantinople was placed.
The Holy Princess Olga also worked hard for glorification in Rus'. There is a legend that not far from her native village on the banks of the Velikaya River, she was able to see three shining rays descending from heaven and at the same time predicted that a temple would be erected in that place in honor of the Holy Trinity and over time roar the big trading city. She herself installed on the shore and founded the temple, which marked the beginning of the construction of Pskov.
In Kyiv itself, the God-wise ruler built which was consecrated in 960. Its main shrine was the cross with which the Patriarch of Constantinople blessed her in holy baptism. It was made from the Life-Giving Tree of the Lord, through which many miracles of healing were revealed.
The sadness of the princess
However, the hour of Rus' has not yet come out of the darkness of paganism and illuminated by the light of the Orthodox faith. The chronicler reports that there were quite a few boyars and warriors in Kyiv who hated the Wisdom of God, and among them was Prince Svyatoslav, who had matured and grown stronger by that time, the son of Olga.
No matter how his mother instructed him in the true faith, no matter how she persuaded him to accept baptism, he invariably continued to persist. However, those close to him who turned to Christ, he did not interfere in this and did not allow others to mock them. Over time, all the fullness of power passed to her son, and his pious mother completely devoted herself to serving God and charity. She was engaged in state affairs only in those days when Svyatoslav was on campaigns with his squad.
The Last Years of the Righteous
She spent the last years of her life in Kyiv, raising her grandchildren, among whom grew up the future baptist of Rus', Prince Vladimir. The pious grandmother instructed them in the faith, talked about the One God and how He created heaven and earth, but she did not dare to baptize them, fearing the wrath of her pagan son.
She even had to receive a priest secretly. Her only consolation was a prayer book and an icon. Saint Olga before last days did not stop asking the Lord for the enlightenment of the Russian land. And the Almighty heeded her prayers, entrusting this great work to her Equal-to-the-Apostles grandson. He called the righteous woman to Himself in 969.
Canonization and general church veneration
The canonization of the "mistress of the faith in the Russian land" took place at the council of 1547. In the same place, her universal veneration was confirmed even in the pre-Mongolian period. From this moment begins its history and its iconography. It is also important to note that for all of the six women canonized Equal-to-the-Apostles, St. Olga was also awarded this honor.
The icon, the meaning of which becomes clear from its very composition, represents a saint of God holding a cross in one hand, symbolizing faith, and in the other, an image of a temple - a symbol of her missionary work and the spread of Christianity in pagan lands. The same symbols can be seen on the icons of other bearers of the faith, for example, Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Tamara.
Icons revered and loved
Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga is revered as the spiritual mother of the Russian people, since it is from her that their formation on the path of the Christian faith begins. Temples erected in her honor are innumerable. For many centuries people have been going to them to bow to the honest image of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess.
Their flow does not dry up even today. For example, the icon of St. Olga in Moscow in the house church at the Pilgrimage Center of the Moscow Patriarchate, the highest church in the capital, enjoys great reverence. It is located on the fifteenth floor of the Universitetskaya Hotel and opens its doors daily to hundreds of believers who come from all over the country.
The icon of St. Olga in St. Petersburg, which is kept in the church built in her honor, located in Strelna, is also known to many. This architectural monument, erected in Mikhailovsky Park on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, always attracts many pilgrims and just tourists. And all of them remember for a long time the image of the princess holding in her hand the cross given to her by the Patriarch of Constantinople. This is the icon of St. Olga.
What do they pray for before this image?
It is generally accepted that prayer before the icon of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga helps believers gain wisdom in worldly affairs and fills their hearts with Grace, so necessary for everyone in our life full of anxieties and temptations. It is also customary to offer her prayers for the strengthening of Russia, for protection from offenders and softening of their hearts.
There are also cases when it was the icon of St. Olga that brought healing to those suffering from mental illness. What else helps her holy image? It would be correct to say that literally in everything, if only the prayer is pronounced from the very depths of the heart and filled with living faith. Under this condition, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga bows her ear to our prayers and intercedes before God for their fulfillment.
It is also known that the icon of St. Olga is a special patronage for women bearing the name Olga. The photos presented in the article will help create an idea of the iconography of this image and how it was seen by masters of different eras.
Rurik is considered the founder of the Old Russian state, he was the first Novgorod prince. It is the Varangian Rurik who is the ancestor of an entire dynasty ruling in Rus'. How did it happen that it was he who became the prince, before ...
Rurik is considered the founder of the Old Russian state, he was the first Novgorod prince. It is the Varangian Rurik who is the ancestor of an entire dynasty ruling in Rus'. How it happened that it was he who became the prince, it will not be possible to find out until the end. There are several versions, according to one of them, he was invited to rule in order to prevent endless civil strife in the land of the Slavs and Finns. The Slavs and Varangians were pagans, they believed in the gods of water and earth, in brownies and goblin, they worshiped Perun (the god of thunder and lightning), Svarog (the master of the universe) and other gods and goddesses. Rurik built the city of Novgorod and gradually began to rule alone, expanding his lands. When he died, his young son Igor remained.
Igor Rurikovich was only 4 years old and needed a guardian and a new prince. Rurik entrusted this task to Oleg, whose origin is unclear, it is assumed that he was a distant relative of Rurik. Known to us as a prince Prophetic Oleg, he ruled Ancient Russia from 879 to 912. During this time, he captured Kyiv and increased the size of the Old Russian state. Therefore, he is sometimes considered its founder. Prince Oleg annexed many tribes to Rus' and went to fight Constantinople.
After his sudden death, all power passed into the hands of Prince Igor, the son of Rurik. In the annals, he is called Igor Stary. It was a young man brought up in a palace in Kyiv. He was a fierce warrior, a Varangian by upbringing. Almost continuously, he led military operations, raided neighbors, conquered various tribes and imposed tribute on them. Prince Oleg, Igor's regent, chose a bride for him, with whom Igor fell in love. According to some sources, she was 10 or 13 years old, and her name was beautiful - Beautiful. However, she was renamed Olga, presumably because she was a relative or even the daughter of Prophetic Oleg. According to another version, she was from the clan of Gostomysl, who ruled before Rurik. There are other versions of its origin.
This woman went down in history under the name of Princess Olga. Ancient weddings were extremely colorful and original. Red was used for wedding dresses. The wedding took place according to a pagan rite. Prince Igor had other wives, because he was a pagan, but Olga was always a beloved wife. In the marriage of Olga and Igor, the son Svyatoslav was born, who would later govern the state. Olga loved her Varangian.
Prince Igor relied on strength in everything, and constantly fought for power. In 945, he traveled around the occupied lands and collected tribute, having received tribute from the Drevlyans, he left. On the way, he decided that he received too little, returned to the Drevlyans and demanded a new tribute. The Drevlyans were outraged by such a demand, they rebelled, grabbed Prince Igor, tied him to bent trees and let them go. Grand Duchess Olga grieved the death of her husband. But it was she who began to rule Ancient Russia after his death. Earlier, when he was on campaign, she also ruled the state in his absence. Judging by the annals, Olga is the first woman - the ruler of the state of Ancient Rus'. She launched a military campaign against the Drevlyans, destroying their settlements, and laid siege to the capital of the Drevlyans. Then she demanded a dove from each yard. And then they were eaten, and no one suspected anything bad, considering it a tribute. A set fire tow was tied to the leg of each dove and the pigeons flew to their homes, and the capital of the Drevlyans burned down.
Prince Svyatoslav
Baptism of Olga
Twice Princess Olga traveled to Constantinople. In 957 she was baptized and became a Christian, her godfather was the emperor Constantine himself. Rules Olga Ancient Russia from 945 to 962. At baptism, she took the name Elena. She was the first to build Christian churches and spread Christianity in Rus'. Olga tried to introduce her son Svyatoslav to the Christian faith, but he remained a pagan and, after the death of his mother, oppressed Christians. Olga's son, the grandson of the great Rurik, tragically died in an ambush of the Pechenegs.
Icon of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
Princess Olga, baptized by Elena, died on July 11, 969. She was buried according to Christian custom, and her son did not forbid it. The first of the Russian sovereigns, she converted to Christianity even before baptism Ancient Rus', this is the first Russian saint. The name of Princess Olga is associated with the Rurik dynasty, with the advent of Christianity in Rus', this great woman stood at the origins of the state and culture of Ancient Rus'. The people revered her for her wisdom and holiness. The reign of Princess Olga is filled with important events: the restoration of the unity of the state, tax reform, administrative reform, stone building cities, strengthening the international prestige of Rus', strengthening ties with Byzantium and Germany, strengthening princely power. This outstanding woman was buried in Kyiv.
Her grandson, Grand Duke Vladimir ordered her relics to be transferred to the New Church. Most likely, it was during the reign of Vladimir (970-988) that Princess Olga began to be revered as a saint. In 1547, Princess Olga (Elena) was canonized as a Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles. There were only six such women in the entire history of Christianity. In addition to Olga, these are Mary Magdalene, the first martyr Thekla, the martyr Apphia, Empress Elena Equal-to-the-Apostles and the Enlightener of Georgia Nina. The memory of Grand Duchess Olga is celebrated with a holiday, both among Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
As well as some interesting facts from the life of the founder of Christianity and the first woman ruler in Russian history
July 24(July 11 - old style) Memorial Day is celebrated Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the first female ruler in Russian history, the initiator of Christianity. The princess was canonized as a saint in 1547, and, in Christian history, only five women were honored with such an honor: Mary Magdalene, queen Elena Equal-to-the-Apostles, martyr Apphia, First Martyr Thekla and educator of Georgia Nina.
She was praised by her Russian sons as an initiator, for even after her death she prays to God for Rus'.”- the famous chronicler notes Nestor. Indeed, the memory of Princess Olga survived the centuries.
Miracles of Saint Olga
The imperishable remains of the saint, who are her grandson Prince Vladimir transferred to the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Kyiv, long time were kept there. The relics rested in a stone coffin, and only those who sincerely pray and truly believe in it “opened a window” through which they could see the “glowing like the sun” body. Who saw him
And today a huge number of believers come to churches to ask the icon of St. Olga for heavenly protection.
Interestingly, in tsarist Russia there was even a "Badge of St. Olga", however, it was awarded only once - in 1916. Got it Vera Panaeva, whose three sons-officers died in the First World War.
Mysteries of the biography of Princess Olga
Tradition called Olga Khitroya, the church - Holy, and history - Wise ", will write about the princess Nikolai Karamzin. And he will be absolutely right, because the personality of Princess Olga is rather ambiguous and the preserved chronicle information about her raises many questions.
So, for example, not a single chronicle gives the exact date of birth of the princess, and the time when she married Prince Igor, gave birth to a son Svyatoslav and when she was baptized. Only the date of her death is known for certain - July 11 (according to the new style - July 24), 969, and how old she was at that time is also a mystery.
But, perhaps, the chronicle tradition about her revenge on the Drevlyans raises the most questions, because many argue, is it possible, taking into account this information, to call her a saint?
Beautiful revenge or justified cruelty?
According to the texts of the chronicles, after the Drevlyans killed her husband, Prince Igor, who went to them for another tribute, they, fearing revenge for the death of the Kyiv prince, sent matchmakers to his widow Olga, inviting her to become the wife of their ruler Mal.
The first matchmakers arrived in a boat, under the pretext of rendering them a great honor, the princess ordered to transfer the matchmakers directly in the boat to the courtyard of her tower, lower them into a deep hole and fall asleep alive.
After that, the princess informed the Drevlyans that she would agree to marry their ruler if they sent the most respected people of their land for her. And the Drevlyans sent best ambassadors, whom Olga ordered to be locked in a hot bathhouse and burned.
But the princess did not calm down on this either, and, having asked the permission of the Drevlyans to celebrate a feast (commemoration) at the place of her husband’s death, she came to the lands of the Drevlyans with a small detachment, gave them drink and ordered her combatants to chop them on the spot.
However, this revenge did not become the last: she approached the Drevlyansk capital with her army and said that she forgives them, and she won’t even take a big tribute, she only asked to give only three doves and three sparrows from each court. And when the Drevlyans, surprised at the stupidity of the princess, brought her birds, she ordered to tie a tow with sulfur to each of them, set it on fire and release the birds to freedom. The birds returned to their native nests - and the city burned to the ground.
How can you justify such cruelty of Olga? Firstly, the time in which she lived, and secondly, the fact that the Drevlyans and her husband acted completely ignoble - they tore him apart, tying two trees to the tables.
And Christian believers also remind that at that time Princess Olga had not yet been baptized. Later, according to chronicle legends, the sacrament of baptism over her was performed by the Patriarch of Constantinople himself. Theophylact, and at baptism she received the name Elena.
The first ruler of Rus', who was baptized
The Orthodox Church glorifies the saint as equal to the apostles - for preaching the Christian faith. Princess Olga built churches, converted people to Orthodoxy, and even though Rus' was baptized only by her grandson Prince Vladimir in 988, it was Olga who became the first ruler of Kievan Rus to be baptized.
On July 24, remembering the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the priests say that she was and is to people, a symbol of wisdom, patience, inner purity and faith in God.
Who is patronized by the saint?
It is believed that Saint Olga protects the entire Russian people, but most often they ask her for protection:
1. Mothers of sons, especially those who are in military service, praying to the saint to save them from trouble.
2. Newly converted Christians or asking to be strengthened in faith and help to live honestly and fairly.
3. Widows and girls who have lost a loved one, who turn to the saint with a request to give them the strength to survive the loss and find the meaning of life again.
In addition, the icon of St. Olga in the house will help protect yourself from intruders, offenders and envious people.
Perhaps today in many churches you can find the icon of St. Olga. For example, in Moscow, the throne icon and a particle of the relics of the saint are kept in the Church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhy.
But the Divine Liturgy of Equal-to-the-Apostles Memory Grand Duchess Olga His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' will serve today in the capital's temple "Joy of All Who Sorrow" (Transfiguration of the Lord) on Bolshaya Ordynka.
Princess Olga, in baptism - Elena. Born ca. 920 - died July 11, 969. princess who ruled Old Russian state from 945 to 960 after the death of her husband, Prince of Kyiv Igor Rurikovich. The first of the rulers of Rus' adopted Christianity even before the baptism of Rus'. Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Princess Olga was born c. 920 years.
Chronicles do not report the year of Olga's birth, however, the late Book of Degrees reports that she died at the age of about 80, which places her date of birth at the end of the 9th century. The approximate date of her birth is reported by the late Arkhangelsk Chronicler, who reports that Olga was 10 years old at the time of marriage. Based on this, many scientists (M. Karamzin, L. Morozova, L. Voitovich) calculated the date of her birth - 893.
The prologue life of the princess claims her age at the time of death - 75 years. Thus Olga was born in 894. True, this date is called into question by the date of birth of Olga's eldest son, Svyatoslav (about 938-943), since Olga at the time of her son's birth should have been 45-50 years old, which seems incredible.
Looking at the fact that Svyatoslav Igorevich was Olga's eldest son, Boris Rybakov, taking 942 as the date of birth of the prince, considered the year 927-928 to be the last point of Olga's birth. A similar opinion (925-928) was shared by Andrei Bogdanov in his book “Princess Olga. Holy warrior."
Alexei Karpov, in his monograph "Princess Olga", makes Olga older, claiming that the princess was born around 920. Consequently, the date around 925 looks more accurate than 890, since Olga herself in the annals for 946-955 appears young and energetic, and she gives birth to her eldest son around 940.
According to the earliest ancient Russian chronicle, The Tale of Bygone Years, Olga was from Pskov (Old Russian Pleskov, Plskov). The Life of the Holy Grand Duchess Olga specifies that she was born in the village of Vybuty, Pskov land, 12 km from Pskov up the Velikaya River. The names of Olga's parents have not been preserved; according to the Life, they were of an humble family. According to scientists, the Varangian origin is confirmed by her name, which corresponds in Old Norse as Helga. The presence of presumably Scandinavians in those places is noted by a number of archaeological finds, possibly dating from the first half of the 10th century. The ancient Czech name is also known Olha.
The typographical chronicle (end of the 15th century) and the later Piskarevsky chronicler convey a rumor that Olga was the daughter of the Prophetic Oleg, who began to rule Russia as the guardian of the infant Igor, the son of Rurik: Oleg married Igor and Olga.
The so-called Joachim Chronicle, the authenticity of which is called into question by historians, reports on the noble Slavic origin of Olga: “When Igor matured, Oleg married him, gave him a wife from Izborsk, the Gostomyslov family, who was called Beautiful, and Oleg renamed her and named her Olga in his name. Igor later had other wives, but Olga, because of her wisdom, was honored more than others..
If you believe this source, it turns out that the princess was renamed from Prekrasa to Olga, taking a new name in honor of Prince Oleg (Olga - female version this name).
Bulgarian historians also put forward a version about the Bulgarian roots of Princess Olga, relying mainly on the message of the New Vladimir Chronicler: “Igor is alive [Ѻlg] in Bulgaria, sing for him princely Ѻlga”. And translating the chronicle name Pleskov not as Pskov, but as Pliska - the Bulgarian capital of that time. The names of both cities really coincide in the Old Slavonic transcription of some texts, which served as the basis for the author of The New Vladimir Chronicler to translate the message of The Tale of Bygone Years about Olga from Pskov as Olga from the Bulgarians, since the spelling Pleskov to designate Pskov has long fallen into disuse .
Statements about the origin of Olga from the annalistic Carpathian Plesnesk, a huge settlement (7th-8th centuries - 10-12 hectares, up to the 10th century - 160 hectares, up to the 13th century - 300 hectares) with Scandinavian and West Slavic materials are based on local legends.
Marriage with Igor
According to The Tale of Bygone Years, Prophetic Oleg married Igor Rurikovich, who began to rule independently from 912, to Olga in 903, that is, when she was already 12 years old. This date is questioned, since, according to the Ipatiev list of the same Tale, their son Svyatoslav was born only in 942.
Perhaps, in order to resolve this contradiction, the later Ustyug Chronicle and the Novgorod Chronicle, according to the list of P. P. Dubrovsky, report Olga's ten years of age at the time of the wedding. This message contradicts the legend set forth in the Book of Powers (second half of the 16th century) about a chance meeting with Igor at the crossing near Pskov. The prince hunted in those places. While crossing the river in a boat, he noticed that the ferryman was a young girl dressed in men's clothes. Igor immediately “flared up with desire” and began to pester her, but received a worthy rebuke in response: “Why are you embarrassing me, prince, with immodest words? Let me be young and humble, and alone here, but know that it is better for me to throw myself into the river than to endure reproach. O casual acquaintance Igor remembered when it was time to look for a bride for himself, and sent Oleg for the girl he fell in love with, not wanting any other wife.
The Novgorod First Chronicle of the younger version, which contains in the most unchanged form information from the Initial Code of the 11th century, leaves the message about Igor's marriage to Olga undated, that is, the earliest Old Russian chroniclers did not have information about the date of the wedding. It is likely that the year 903 in the text of the PVL arose at a later time, when the monk Nestor tried to give the initial ancient Russian history in chronological order. After the wedding, Olga's name is mentioned again only 40 years later, in the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 944.
According to the chronicle, in 945, Prince Igor died at the hands of the Drevlyans after repeatedly collecting tribute from them. The heir to the throne, Svyatoslav, was then only three years old, so Olga became the actual ruler of Rus' in 945. Igor's squad obeyed her, recognizing Olga as the representative of the legitimate heir to the throne. The decisive course of action of the princess in relation to the Drevlyans could also persuade the combatants in her favor.
After the murder of Igor, the Drevlyans sent matchmakers to his widow Olga to call her to marry their prince Mal. The princess successively dealt with the elders of the Drevlyans, and then brought their people into obedience. The Old Russian chronicler details Olga's revenge for her husband's death:
First revenge:
The matchmakers, 20 Drevlyans, arrived in a boat, which the Kievans carried and threw into a deep pit in the yard of Olga's tower. The matchmakers-ambassadors were buried alive along with the boat.
“And, leaning towards the pit, Olga asked them: “Is honor good for you?” They answered: "Worse for us than Igor's death." And ordered them to fall asleep alive; and covered them up,” says the chronicler.
Second revenge:
Olga asked for respect to send her new ambassadors from best husbands, which was willingly performed by the Drevlyans. An embassy of noble Drevlyans was burned in a bathhouse while they were washing, preparing for a meeting with the princess.
Third revenge:
The princess, with a small retinue, came to the lands of the Drevlyans to, according to custom, celebrate a feast at the grave of her husband. Having drunk the Drevlyans during the feast, Olga ordered them to be cut down. The chronicle reports five thousand killed Drevlyans.
Fourth revenge:
In 946, Olga went on a campaign against the Drevlyans with an army. According to the Novgorod First Chronicle, the Kyiv squad defeated the Drevlyans in battle. Olga walked through the Drevlyane land, established tributes and taxes, and then returned to Kyiv. In the Tale of Bygone Years (PVL), the chronicler made an insert into the text of the Initial Code about the siege of the Drevlyan capital Iskorosten. According to the PVL, after an unsuccessful siege during the summer, Olga burned the city with the help of birds, to whose feet she ordered to tie a lit tow with sulfur. Part of the defenders of Iskorosten were killed, the rest submitted. A similar legend about the burning of the city with the help of birds is also expounded by Saxo the Grammatik (XII century) in his compilation of Danish oral traditions about the exploits of the Vikings and by the skald Snorri Sturluson.
After the massacre of the Drevlyans, Olga began to rule Russia until Svyatoslav came of age, but even after that she remained the de facto ruler, since her son spent most of his time on military campaigns and did not pay attention to governing the state.
Olga's board
Having conquered the Drevlyans, Olga in 947 went to the Novgorod and Pskov lands, appointing lessons (tribute) there, after which she returned to her son Svyatoslav in Kyiv.
Olga established a system of "graveyards" - centers of trade and exchange, in which taxes were collected in a more orderly manner; then temples began to be built around the graveyards. Olga's journey to the Novgorod land was called into question by Archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin), A. Shakhmatov (in particular, he pointed out the confusion of the Drevlyansk land with the Derevskaya Pyatina), M. Grushevsky, D. Likhachev. V. Tatishchev also noted the attempts of the Novgorod chroniclers to attract unusual events to the Novgorod land. The evidence of the chronicle about Olga's sleigh, allegedly kept in Pleskov (Pskov) after Olga's trip to Novgorod land, is also critically evaluated.
Princess Olga laid the foundation for stone urban planning in Rus' (the first stone buildings of Kyiv - the city palace and Olga's country house), with attention to the improvement of the lands subject to Kyiv - Novgorod, Pskov, located along the Desna River, etc.
In 945, Olga established the size of the "polyudya" - taxes in favor of Kyiv, the timing and frequency of their payment - "dues" and "charters". The lands subject to Kyiv were divided into administrative units, in each of which a princely administrator, a tiun, was appointed.
Constantine Porphyrogenitus, in his essay “On the Administration of the Empire,” written in 949, mentions that “monoxyls coming from outer Russia to Constantinople are one of Nemogard, in which Sfendoslav, the son of Ingor, the archon of Russia, sat.” From this short message it follows that by 949 Igor held power in Kyiv, or, which looks unlikely, Olga left her son to represent power in the northern part of her state. It is also possible that Constantine had information from unreliable or outdated sources.
The next act of Olga, noted in the PVL, is her baptism in 955 in Constantinople. Upon returning to Kyiv, Olga, who took the name Elena in baptism, tried to introduce Svyatoslav to Christianity, but “he did not even think of listening to this. But if someone was going to be baptized, he did not forbid, but only mocked him. Moreover, Svyatoslav was angry with his mother for her persuasion, fearing to lose the respect of the squad.
In 957, Olga, with a large embassy, paid an official visit to Constantinople, known for the description of court ceremonies by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus in his essay On Ceremonies. The emperor calls Olga the ruler (archontissa) of Rus', the name of Svyatoslav (in the enumeration of the retinue are "the people of Svyatoslav") is mentioned without a title. Apparently, a visit to Byzantium did not bring desired results, since the PVL reports Olga's cold attitude towards the Byzantine ambassadors in Kyiv shortly after the visit. On the other hand, Theophan's successor, in the story about the reconquest of Crete from the Arabs under Emperor Roman II (959-963), mentioned the Rus as part of the Byzantine army.
It is not known exactly when exactly Svyatoslav began to rule on his own. PVL reports his first military campaign in 964. The Western European chronicle of the Continuer of Reginon reports under the year 959: “They came to the king (Otto I the Great), as it later turned out to be a false image, the ambassadors of Helen, Queen of Rug, who was baptized in Constantinople under the Emperor Roman of Constantinople, and asked to consecrate a bishop and priests for this people”.
Thus, in 959 Olga, in baptism - Elena, was officially considered as the ruler of Rus'. The remains of the rotunda of the 10th century, discovered by archaeologists within the so-called "city of Kiya", are considered material evidence of the stay of the Adalbert mission in Kyiv.
The convinced pagan Svyatoslav Igorevich turned 18 years old in 960, and the mission sent by Otto I to Kyiv failed, as the Successor of Reginon reports: “962 year. In this year, Adalbert returned back, appointed Bishop of Rugam, for he did not succeed in anything for which he was sent, and saw his efforts in vain; on the way back, some of his companions were killed, while he himself barely escaped with great difficulty..
The date of the beginning of Svyatoslav's independent reign is rather arbitrary; Russian chronicles consider him his successor on the throne immediately after the murder of his father Igor by the Drevlyans. Svyatoslav was all the time in military campaigns against the neighbors of Rus', entrusting his mother with the management of the state. When in 968 the Pechenegs first raided the Russian lands, Olga and Svyatoslav's children locked themselves in Kyiv.
Returning from a campaign against Bulgaria, Svyatoslav lifted the siege, but did not want to stay in Kyiv for a long time. When next year he was going to go back to Pereyaslavets, Olga kept him: “You see, I am sick; where do you want to go from me? Because she's already sick. And she said: "When you bury me, go wherever you want".
Three days later, Olga died, and her son, and her grandchildren, and all the people, wept for her with a great cry, and carried her and buried her in the chosen place, Olga bequeathed not to perform funeral feasts for her, since she had a priest with her - that and buried blessed Olga.
The monk Jacob in the 11th century essay “Memory and Praise to the Russian Prince Volodimer” reports the exact date of Olga’s death: July 11, 969.
Baptism of Olga
Princess Olga became the first ruler of Rus' to be baptized, although both the squad and the Russian people were pagan under her. Olga's son, the Grand Duke of Kyiv Svyatoslav Igorevich, also lived in paganism.
The date and circumstances of the baptism remain unclear. According to the PVL, this happened in 955 in Constantinople, Olga was personally baptized by Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus with the patriarch (Theophylact): “And the name Helena was given to her in baptism, as well as the ancient queen mother of Emperor Constantine I”.
PVL and Life decorate the circumstances of the baptism with a story about how the wise Olga outwitted the Byzantine king. He, marveling at her intelligence and beauty, wanted to take Olga as his wife, but the princess rejected the claims, noting that it was not appropriate for Christians to marry pagans. It was then that the king and the patriarch baptized her. When the tsar again began to harass the princess, she pointed out that she was now the goddaughter of the tsar. Then he richly endowed her and sent her home.
From Byzantine sources, only one visit by Olga to Constantinople is known. Konstantin Porphyrogenitus described it in detail in the essay “On Ceremonies”, without indicating the year of the event. But he indicated the dates of official receptions: Wednesday, September 9 (on the occasion of Olga's arrival) and Sunday, October 18. This combination corresponds to 957 and 946. Noteworthy is the long stay of Olga in Constantinople. When describing the reception, they are called basileus (Konstantin Porphyrogenitus himself) and Roman - purple-born basileus. It is known that Roman II the Younger, the son of Constantine, became the formal co-ruler of his father in 945. The mention of Roman's children at the reception testifies in favor of 957, which is considered the generally accepted date of Olga's visit and her baptism.
However, Konstantin nowhere mentioned Olga's baptism, as well as the purposes of her visit. In the retinue of the princess, a certain priest Gregory was named, on the basis of which some historians (in particular, academician Rybakov Boris Alexandrovich) suggest that Olga visited Constantinople already baptized. In this case, the question arises why Konstantin calls the princess by her pagan name, and not by Elena, as the Successor of Reginon did. Another, later Byzantine source (XI century) reports the baptism in the 950s: “And the wife of a Russian archon who once set sail against the Romans, named Elga, when her husband died, arrived in Constantinople. Baptized and having openly made a choice in favor of the true faith, she, having received the great honor of this choice, returned home..
The successor of Reginon cited above also speaks of baptism in Constantinople, and the mention of the name of Emperor Romanus testifies in favor of baptism precisely in 957. The testimony of the Continuer of Reginon can be considered reliable, since Bishop Adalbert of Magdeburg, who led an unsuccessful mission to Kyiv, wrote under this name, as historians believe (961) and who had first-hand information.
According to most sources, Princess Olga was baptized in Constantinople in the autumn of 957, and she was baptized, probably, by Roman II, son and co-ruler of Emperor Constantine VII, and Patriarch Polievkt. Olga made the decision to accept the faith in advance, although the chronicle legend presents this decision as spontaneous. Nothing is known about those people who spread Christianity in Rus'. Perhaps they were Bulgarian Slavs (Bulgaria was baptized in 865), since the influence of Bulgarian vocabulary can be traced in the early Old Russian chronicle texts. On the Penetration of Christianity Kievan Rus testifies to the mention of the cathedral church of Elijah the prophet in Kyiv in the Russian-Byzantine treaty (944).
Olga was buried in the ground (969) according to the Christian rite. Her grandson Prince Vladimir I Svyatoslavich transferred (1007) the relics of the saints, including Olga, to the Church of the Holy Mother of God founded by him in Kyiv. According to the Life and the monk Jacob, the body of the blessed princess was preserved from decay. Her "shining like the sun" body could be observed through the window in the stone coffin, which was opened for any true Christian, and many found healing there. All the others saw only the coffin.
Most likely, during the reign of Yaropolk (972-978), Princess Olga began to be revered as a saint. This is evidenced by the transfer of her relics to the church and the description of miracles given by the monk Jacob in the 11th century. Since that time, the day of memory of St. Olga (Helena) began to be celebrated on July 11, at least in the Church of the Tithes itself. However, official canonization (general church glorification) apparently took place later - until the middle of the 13th century. Her name becomes christening early, in particular among the Czechs.
In 1547 Olga was canonized as a saint Equal-to-the-Apostles. Only five more holy women in Christian history have received such an honor (Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Thekla, Martyr Apphia, Empress Helena Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia Nina).
The memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga is celebrated by the Orthodox churches of the Russian tradition on July 11 julian calendar; Catholic and other Western churches - July 24 Gregorian.
Revered as the patroness of widows and newly converted Christians.
Princess Olga (documentary)
Memory of Olga
Pskov has the Olginskaya embankment, the Olginskiy bridge, the Olginskaya chapel, and two monuments to the princess.
From the time of Olga and until 1944, there was a graveyard and the village of Olgin Krest on the Narva River.
Monuments to Princess Olga were erected in Kyiv, Pskov and in the city of Korosten. The figure of Princess Olga is present on the monument "Millennium of Russia" in Veliky Novgorod.
In honor of Princess Olga, the Gulf of Olga of the Sea of Japan is named.
In honor of Princess Olga, the urban-type settlement Olga of the Primorsky Territory is named.
Olginskaya street in Kyiv.
Street of Princess Olga in Lvov.
In Vitebsk in the city center at the Holy Spirit convent St. Olga's Church is located.
In St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, to the right of the altar in the north (Russian) transept, there is a portrait of Princess Olga.
St. Olginsky Cathedral in Kyiv.
Orders:
The insignia of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga - instituted by Emperor Nicholas II in 1915;
"Order of Princess Olga" - the state award of Ukraine since 1997;
The Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga (ROC) is an award of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The image of Olga in art
AT fiction:
Antonov A. I. Princess Olga;
Boris Vasiliev. "Olga, Queen of the Rus";
Viktor Gretkov. "Princess Olga - Bulgarian Princess";
Mikhail Kazovsky. "Daughter of the Empress";
Alexey Karpov. "Princess Olga" (ZHZL series);
Svetlana Kaidash-Lakshina (novel). "Duchess Olga";
Alekseev S. T. I know God!;
Nikolai Gumilyov. "Olga" (poem);
Simon Vilar. "Svetorada" (trilogy);
Simon Vilar. "Witch" (4 books);
Elizaveta Dvoretskaya "Olga, Forest Princess";
Oleg Panus "Shields on the gates";
Oleg Panus "Unified in Power".
In cinematography:
"The Legend of Princess Olga" (1983; USSR), director Yuri Ilyenko, in the role of Olga Lyudmila Efimenko;
The saga of the ancient Bulgars. The Tale of Olga the Holy ”(2005; Russia) director Bulat Mansurov, in the role of Olga .;
The saga of the ancient Bulgars. Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun”, Russia, 2005. Elina Bystritskaya as Olga.
In cartoons:
Prince Vladimir (2006; Russia) directed by Yuri Kulakov, voiced by Olga.
Ballet:
"Olga", music by Evgeny Stankovich, 1981. It ran at the Kiev Opera and Ballet Theater from 1981 to 1988, and in 2010 it was staged at the Dnepropetrovsk Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
