Baptism of Rus'. Olga (in Baptism Elena) Baptism of Princess Olga in Constantinople

“At the beginning of the faith” and “the root of the right-of-glory” in the Russian land, from ancient times the holy equal is called -oh-so-so-Ol-gu people. Ol-ga’s baptism was meant-me-no-va-but pro-ro-che-ski-mi words-va-mi pat-ri-ar-ha, baptizing her : “Blessed are you among the Russian wives, for you left the darkness and loved the Light. The Russian sons will glorify you until the next generation!” At the Baptism, the Russian princess was honored in the name of the holy equal of the great Elena, who worked a lot - in the spread of Christianity in the huge Roman Empire and the discovery of the Living Cross, on which -then the Lord was crucified. Like her heavenly blood, Olga became equal to such a pro-knowledge of Christ -an-stva on the vast expanses of the Russian land. There are a lot of chronic inaccuracies and misunderstandings about her in the summer written evidence, but it’s unlikely that they can -no doubt about the accuracy of most of the facts of her life, until now Blessed are the holy princes who established the Russian land. Let's get back to the news about her life.

The name of the future pro-sve-ti-tel-ni-tsy of Ru-si and its birth, the most ancient of the summer-to-pi-sei - “In the Tale of Times” years old" refers in the description to Prince Igor of Kiev: "And did you bring him his wife from Pskov, named after Ol-ga.” Joachim's chronicle specifies that it belonged to the family of the princes of Iz-bor - one of the ancient Russians. princely di-na-sties.

Su-pr-gu Igor was called by the Var-Ryazh name Hel-ga, in the Russian pro-iz-no-she-nii - Ol-ga (Vol-ga). Pre-da-nie na-zy-va-et ro-di-noy Ol-gi village You-bu-you are not far from Pskov, up the river Ve-li-koy . The life of Saint Olga tells us that here for the first time I met her future husband. The young prince was hunting “in the Pskov region” and, wanting to cross the Ve-li-kaya river, he saw “some he's sailing in the boat" and called him to the shore. Sailing from the shore in a boat, the prince realized that he was being carried by a de-wush-ka of amazing beauty. Igor was inflamed with lust for her and began to tempt her to sin. The re-voz-chi-tsa turned out to be not only beautiful, but whole-wise and smart. She mouthed Igor, reminding him of the princely dignity of the rule and judge, which should be “a bright example of good deeds” for one’s own. Igor broke up with her, keeping her words and a beautiful image in his memory. When the time came for you to marry your bride, the most beautiful girls of the principality gathered in Kiev. But not a single one of them pleased him. And then he remembered the “wonderful girl” Olga and sent his relative, Prince Oleg, for her. So Olga became the wife of Prince Igor, the great Russian princess.

Afterwards, Igor went on a campaign against the Greeks, and returned from it as a father: a son, Saint Slav, was born. Soon Igor was killed by the ancients. Fearing revenge for the murder of the Kiev-prince-zya, the Drev-Lyans from the right-of-words to Princess Olga, inviting her to join drink in marriage with your right-of-mind Mal. Ol-ha pretended to agree. She hit two embassies of the Drev-Lyans in Kiev, giving them a painful death: the first was for- alive in the same way “in the prince’s yard”, the second - with burning in the bathhouse. After this, five thousand men of the Drev-Lyansky were killed by Olga at the funeral feast for Igor at the walls of the Drev-Lyansky capital -tsy Is-ko-ro-ste-nya. The next year, Ol-ga again went with an army to Is-ko-ro-wall. The city was burned down with the help of birds, to the feet of which they attached burning oakum. The ancient people who remained alive were not spared and were sold into slavery.

Along with this summer-to-pi-si, there are full of testimonies about her tireless “walks” across the Russian land with the goal of building -e-ness of the country's economic and economic life. She fought to strengthen the power of the Ki-ev prince, the central state control with the help of the “by-government” system. The letter says that she, her son and a friend, walked through the Drev-Lyanskaya land, “established and about-ro-ki", from-cha-cha-la and hundred-no-vi-scha and places of hunting, subject to inclusion in the Ki-ev-skie ve-li -ko-prince's dominions. She went to Novgorod, arranged a party along the rivers Msta and Luga. “There were her (hunting places) all over the earth, there were established signs, her places and places,” she writes le-to-pi-sets, - and she stands in Pskov to this day, there are places indicated by her for catching birds along the Dnieper and along the Desna; and her village Ol-gi-chi exists to this day.” By-go-sty (from the word “guest” - merchant) has become a support for the great princely power, the heart of this-no-thing skogo and cultural association of the Russian nation.

Life tells us about Ol-ga’s work: “And Princess Ol-ga ruled under her power over Rus. of the earth not as a woman, but as a strong and reasonable husband, firmly holding power in his hands and masculinely defined falling away from enemies. And she was scary for them. I love my own people, as the lord -ny and not offending anyone, on-la-ga-yu-sha-nie with cute-ser-di-em and on-civil-da-yu- good; she instilled fear in all the evil ones, rewarding each one in proportion to his actions, but in all matters of management she has vision and wisdom. At the same time, Ol-ga, sweet-hearted at heart, was generous with the poor, the wretched and the poor; rightful requests would soon reach her heart, and she would quickly fulfill them... With all this, Olga co- having lived a strong and whole-wise life, she didn’t want to remarry, but she would wa-la in pure widowhood, guarding her son until the days of his rise to princely power. When he finally got back together, she gave him all the rights, and she herself, having withdrawn from the rumors and -pe-che-nii, lived outside the care of management, pre-da-va-yas de-lam of the good-of-re-re-tion.”

Rus' grew and strengthened. Cities were built, surrounded by stones and doubly walls. The princess herself lived behind the walls of You, surrounded by a faithful friend. Two-thirds of the so-bran-noy, according to the evidence of the le-to-pi-si, she is from-da-va-la in the ra-s-rya-same ki-ev -sky ve-cha, the third part went “to Ol-ga, to Vy-sh-city” - to the military formation. By the time Olga had established the first state borders of Kievan Rus. The Bo-ha-tyr-for-sta-you, re-established in the past, the hundred-ro-li-lived the peaceful life of the Ki-ev-lyans from the nomads of Ve -li-koy Step-pi, from na-pa-de-niy with Za-pa-da. The foreigners rushed to Gar-da-ri-ku (“country of cities”), as they called Rus', from then-va-ra -mi. Scan-di-na-you, the Germans willingly joined the Russian army. Rus' has become a great country.

As a wise ruler of paradise, Ol-ga vi-de-la on the example of the Viz-an-tiy empire, which is not enough for -bot is only about state and economic life. It would be necessary to start arranging a re-li-gi-oz-noy, spiritual life for the na-ro-yes.

The author of the “Step-book” writes: “Her [Ol-gi]’s move was that she recognized the true God. Without knowing the nature of Christianity, she lived a pure and whole-wise life, and she wished to be a Christian an-koy, by free will, with the heart-of-my eyes, the path of the knowledge of God was discovered and walked along it without co-le-ba- nia". The Pre-reputable one in the West-wu-et: “Blessed Ol-ga from an early age has been seeking wisdom, which is the best thing in all of life.” “And this, and I found a many-valuable pearl - Christ.”

Having made your choice, Great Princess Ol-ga, in the hands of Ki-ev, under her grown-up son, from-ru-la-et-sya with a large fleet in Kon-stan-ti-no-pol. Ancient-Russian le-to-scribes call this de-i-nie of Ol-ga “ho-de-no-em”, it is united in itself and re-li-gi-oz-noe pa-lom-ni-che-stvo, and di-pl-ma-ti-che-mission, and de-mon-strat-tion of military-en-no- the power of Ru-si. “Ol-ga for-ho-te-la herself go to the Greeks so that with her own eyes she can look at the Christian service and to be completely convinced of their teaching about the true God,” according to the life of Saint Olga. According to the evidence of le-to-pi-si, in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le Ol-ga has decided to become a Christian coy. The ta-in-stvo of Baptism was co-performed over her by the pat-ri-arch Kon-stan-ti-no-pol-sky Fe-o-fi-lakt (933-956), and the restoration -no-one was the em-per-tor Kon-stan-tin Bag-rya-no-native (912-959), who left in his co-chi-ne “About the ce-re-mo-ni-yah of the Vi-zan-tiy-court” a detailed description of the ce-re-mo-niy during the stay -niya Ol-ga in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le. At one of the Russian princess's receptions there was a not-so-gold, adorned-with-precious-with-stones. mi dish-do. Ol-ha sacrificed him in the robes of St. Sophia, where he was seen and described in the early 13th century Russian diplomat Dob-ry-nya Yad-rey-k-vich, subsequently the arch-bishop of Nov-gorod-sky An-to-niy: “Dish how evil was the service of Olga the Russian, when she took tribute, went to Tsar-grad: in Olga’s dish ka- less drag-gy, on the same stone on-pi-san Christ.”

Pat-ri-arch of the blessed-word-forged the newly-baptized Russian princess with a cross cut from a whole piece of Zhi -in the creation of the Tree of the Lord. On the cross there was an inscription: “The Russian land is surrounded by the Holy Cross, which was received by Ol-ga, the blessed one.” prince-gi-nya.”

Ol-ga returned to Ki-ev with iko-na-mi, bo-go-serv-ing books - her apos-tol-like servant began -nie. She erected a temple in the name of St. Niko-lay over the grave of As-kol-da - the first Ki-ev-prince-zya-khri -sti-a-ni-na and many ki-ev-lyans converted to Christ. With pro-ve-dyu-ry, the princess went to the north. In the Kiev and Pskov lands, in village villages, at the crossroads of the roads, crosses, uniforms were erected what pagan idols.

Saint Ol-ga lived on-cha-lo especially-ben-no-go in the Ru-si of the Most Holy Trinity. From century to century there has been news of a vision that happened to her near the Ve-li-koy river, not -le-ku from the family village. She saw that “three very bright rays” were descending from the sky. Turning to her companions, former sv-de-te-la-mi vi-de-niya, Ol-ga told about-ro-che-ski : “May you know that because of God there will be a church in this place in the name of the Most Holy and Living -creative Trinity and there will be a great and glorious city here, abundant for everyone.” At this place Olga erected a cross and founded a temple in the name of the Holy Trinity. It became the main cathedral of Pskov, a glorious Russian city, which has since been called the “House of the Holy Trinity” -i-tsy." Ta-in-stven-ny-mi-spirit-of-spirit-succession through four-hundred-years is the-chi-ta-nie re-re-da -but it would have been very kind to Sergius Ra-to-tender.

On May 11, 960, the Church of St. Sophia of the Most Wisdom of God was consecrated in Kiev. This day was celebrated in the Russian Church as a special holiday. The main sanctuary of the temple was the cross received by Ol-goi at the Baptism in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le. The temple, built by Ol-goi, burned down in 1017, and in its place Yaro-slav the Wise erected a holy church -che-ni-tsy Irina, and St. Sofiy-sko-go Ol-gi-na the temple-re-carried in the still standing stone Church of St. Sophia of Kiev, founded in 1017 and consecrated around 1030. In the Pro-log of the 13th century it was said about the Ol-gi-nom cross: “It now stands in Ki-e-ve in St. Sophia in the al-ta-re on the right side". After the za-vo-e-va-niya of Ki-e-va li-tov-tsa-mi, Ol-gin’s cross was stolen from So-fiy-sko-go-bo-ra and vy- ve-zen ka-li-ka-mi to Lub-lin. His further fate is unknown to us. The apostolic works of the prince met the secret and open co-operation of the pagans. Among the bo-yars and druzhin-ni-kovs in Ki-e-ve there were a lot of people who, according to the words of the summer scribes, “carried “You don’t see the Pre-wisdom,” just like Saint Olga, who built temples to Her. The roar of the language of the ancient world is becoming more and more bold under the go-lo-woo, looking with hope at the sub-ras y-y-holy-glory-va, decided-but-from-the-niv-she-go-go-ry ma-te-ri to accept Christianity. “The Tale of Bygone Years” tells about it like this: “Ol-ga lived with her son, Saint-glory, and they agreed -his mother wanted to be baptized, but he neglected it and covered his ears; however, if someone wanted to be baptized, he didn’t scold him, nor did he stand over him... Ol-ha speaks often -ri-la: “My son, I know God and rejoice; here you are, if you know, then you will begin to rejoice.” He, without listening to this, said: “How can I want to change my faith alone? My friends will laugh at this!” She told him: “If you are baptized, everyone will do the same.”

He, without listening to ma-te-ri, lived according to pagan customs, not knowing that if someone doesn’t listen to ma-te-ri, in a child is in trouble, as it is said: “If anyone does not listen to his father or mother, he will accept death.” Moreover, he was also angry with his mother... But Ol-ga loved her son of the Holy Glory, when ri-la: “God’s will be done.” If God wants to have mercy on my people and the Russian land, let him command their hearts to turn to God, how could it be so good for me.” And saying so, she prayed for her son and for his people all the days and nights, caring for her son until he got married.” .

Despite the success of her trip to Kon-stan-ti-no-pol, Ol-ga could not persuade him-per-ra-to-ra to co-gla-she- on two important issues: about the di-na-sti-che-marriage of the Holy-Glory with the Byzantine Tsar-rev-noy and about the -vi-yah restoration of the existence-vav-shay at As-kol-de mit-ro-po-li in Ki-e-ve. This is why Saint Olga turns her eyes to the West - the Church was one at that time. It’s unlikely that the Russian princess could have known about the divine-word differences between the Greek and Latin faiths. nia.

In 959, a German chronicler writes: “The ambassadors of Elena, the queen of the Russians, came to the king -heaven baptism in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le, and ask-si-to consecrate for this na-ro-da epi-sco-pa and sanct- ni-kov." King Otton, the future founder of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, responded to the request -bu Ol-gi. A year later, Li-bu-tsii, from the brotherhood of the monastery of the holy Al-ba-n in Mainz, was appointed bishop of the Russian, but he died soon (March 15, 961). In its place, the saint of Adal-ber-t of Trier, who-ro-th Ot-ton, “generously supplied with everything necessary”, from-ruled , finally, to Russia. When in 962 Adal-bert appeared in Kiev, he “did not manage to do anything for which he was sent, and saw his efforts on -pras-us." On the way back, “some of his companions were killed, and the bishop himself did not escape mortal danger,” - this is how they tell us about the mission of Adal-ber-ta.

The pagan re-action manifested itself so strongly that stra- da-y not only the German mis-si-o-ne-ry, but also some -rye from Kiev Christians who were baptized together with Olga. By order of the Holy Glory, Olga's nephew Gleb was killed and some temples built by her were destroyed. Saint Olga had to come to terms with what had happened and go into the business of personal goodness, giving control le-nie language-no-ku Holy-glory. Of course, she was still taken into account, her experience and wisdom were invariably addressed in all important cases -cha-yah. When Saint Slav departed from Ki-e-va, the administration of the state was in the hands of Saint Olga. The glorious military victories of the Russian army were a consolation for her. Holy glory defeated the enemy of the Russian state - Khazar ka-ga-nat, forever with-kru -shiv the power of the Jewish pra-vi-te-leys of the Azov region and the Lower Volga region. The next blow was on Volga Bulgaria, then came the turn of Danube Bulgaria - eighty the cities were taken by the Kiev squads along the Danube. The Holy Glory and its warriors represent the god-like spirit of the pagan Rus. Le-to-pi-si co-keep the words of the Holy-glory, surrounded by her friend with a huge Greek howl -skom: “It’s not disgraceful to the Russian land, but let’s lie down here! The dead have no shame!” Saint Slav dreamed of creating a huge Russian state from the Danube to the Volga, which would unite Rus' and other -gye Slavic peoples. Saint Ol-ga knows that with all the courage and from the Russian troops they cannot cope with the ancient im-peri -ey ro-me-ev, who will not allow paradise to strengthen the language of pagan Russia. But the son did not listen to the warning ma-te-ri.

Saint Olga had to endure a lot of sorrows at the end of her life. The son of the window-cha-tel-but per-re-se-lil-sya in Per-re-ya-s-la-vets on the Danube. Staying in Ki-e-ve, she taught her grandchildren, children of the Holy Glory, the Christian faith, but did not decide I wanted to baptize them, fearing my son’s wrath. In addition, he prevented her from trying to establish Christianity in Russia. In the last years, amidst the triumph of the language, once upon a time everyone believed that -you, baptized from the All-Len-sk pat-ri-ar-ha in the capital of the right-of-glory, came to the tai-no der -to be sacred in front of you, so as not to cause a new outbreak of an-ti-chri-sti-an-s-structures. In 968 Ki-ev wasa-di-li pe-che-ne-gi. The holy princess and her grandchildren, among whom was Prince Vladimir, found themselves in mortal danger. When the news about the wasp reached the Holy Glory, he hurried to help, and no one was called upon on the run. Saint Olga, being already seriously ill, begged her son not to leave until her death. She didn’t lose hope of turning her son’s heart to God, and on her deathbed she didn’t stop talking about it. : “Why are you leaving me, my son, and where are you going? Looking for someone else's, who will you eat yours? After all, Your children are still small, and I’m already old, and I’m sick, - I expect a quick death - a departure to my beloved Christ, in whom I believe; Now I don’t worry about anything except about you: I regret that although I taught a lot and convinced I wanted to leave the idolatrous wickedness, to believe in the true God, as I know, and you neglect this, and I know that for your disobedience to me, a bad end awaits you on earth, and after death - eternal torment, wow. naya lingual-ni-kam. Fulfill now at least this last request of mine: don’t go anywhere until I give up and sin. be-na; then go wherever you want. After my death, do not do anything that is required in such cases by pagan customs; but let my pre-sweater with the kli-ri-ka-mi in the gre-but according to the custom of Christ-an-sko-mu my body; don’t you dare lay a grave on me and hold funeral feasts; but let's go to Tsar-grad to the holy pat-ri-ar-hu, so that he will perform the prayer and at-she- I thanked God for my soul and gave alms to the beggars.”

“Hearing this, Saint Slav cried bitterly and promised to fulfill everything she had given him, appearing only from -nya-tiya of the holy faith. After three days, blessed Olga fell into extreme inability; she partook of the Divine Mysteries of the Most-Pure Body and the Living-Creative Blood of Christ our Savior ; all the time she remained in diligent prayer to God and to the Most Pure God, to whom I always pray according to God she had no power; she called upon all the saints; With especial diligence, blessed Olga prayed for illumination of the Russian land after her death; fore-seeing the future, she repeatedly fore-said that God would enlighten the people of the Russian land and many of there will be great saints among them; Blessed Olga prayed for the speedy fulfillment of this promise at her death. And there was still a prayer on her lips, when her honest soul was separated from her body and how the righteous one was received ru-ka-mi Bo-zhi-i-mi.” On July 11, 969, Saint Olga died, “and her son and grandchildren and all the people wept for her.” Pre-sweeper Gri-goriy fulfilled her re-statement exactly.

Holy equal-to-capital Ol-ga was-la ka-no-ni-zi-ro-va-na on the so-bo-re of 1547, which is under-tver -did it in all-local language in Russia back in the pre-Mongol era.

God glorified “at the beginning” of faith in the Russian land with chu-de-sa-mi and incorruptible relics. Under the Holy Prince Vladimir, the relics of St. Olga were transferred to the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy -that Bo-go-ro-di-tsy and in the sar-ko-fa-ge, in which it was possible to place the relics of the holy you on the right-glorious East. There was a window in the church wall above the tomb of Saint Olga; and if anyone came to the relics with faith, saw the relics through the window, and some saw them coming from them there is a shi-i-nie, and many sick-obsessed pains are caused by healing. When he saw a small window, it opened, and he could not see the relics, but only the coffin.

So, after her death, Saint Ol-ga proclaimed eternal life and resurrection, filled with the joy of faith. Yu-shchih and lying incredulous.

Her prophecy about the evil death of her son came true. Saint-slav, as the le-to-pi-sets says, was killed by the Pe-che-tender prince Ku-rey, who cut off his head Woo the Holy Glory and made a cup for himself from the skull, surrounded it with gold and drank from it during feasts.

The fulfillment and prophecy of the saint about the Russian land. The prayerful works and deeds of St. Olga are confirmed by the great deeds of her grandson St. Vladimir di-mi-ra (memory of July 15 (28)) - Baptism of Ru-si. The images of the holy equals Olga and Vladimir, mutually complementing each other, embodying they have Ma-Te-rin-skoe and father-skoe in Russian spiritual history.

Holy equal-to-capital Ol-ga became the spiritual mother of the Russian people, through her his pro-sweetness began -sharing the light of Christ's faith.

The pagan name Olga corresponds to the masculine Oleg (Hel-gi), which means “saint.” Although the pagan-ness of holiness is from Christianity, it is pre-la-ha- The person has a special spiritual disposition, whole-wisdom and sobriety, intelligence and insight. Revealing the spiritual meaning of this name, the people called Ole the Prophet, and Olga the Wise. Subsequently, Saint Olga began to be called God-wise, emphasizing her main gift, which became the basis -I eat all the words of the holiness of Russian wives - wisdom. Sa-ma Most Holy Bo-go-ro-di-tsa - House of the Pre-wisdom of God - blah-say-la Saint Ol-gu on her apo -so much work. The construction of her So-fiy-sko-bo-ra in Ki-e-ve - ma-te-ri of Russian cities - was a sign of participation Goddess Ma-te-ri in the Do-mo-stro-i-tel-stvo of the Holy Ru-si. Kiev, i.e. Christian Kievan Rus, became the third priesthood of God Ma-te-ri according to the Universe, and this statement is the lot on earth began through the first of the holy wives of Rusi - the holy equal of the capital Olga.

The Christian name of Saint Olga - Elena (in translation from the ancient Greek “fa-kel”) - you became -ra-the-n-e-e-go-re-niya of her spirit. Saint Olga (Elena) brought the spiritual fire, which has not been extinguished in the entire thousand-year history of Christ. An-skaya Russia.

The Complete Life of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, Grand Duchess of Russia

The holy equal of the capital Olga was the su-ru-goy of Prince Igor of Kiev. The struggle of Christianity against paganism under Igor and Olga, princes who lived after Oleg († 912), enters a new period. The Church of Christ in the last years of Prince Igor († 945) became a significant spiritual and spiritual -sovereign power in the Russian state. This is evidenced by the preserved text from Igor’s time with the Greeks of 944, which is included let-the-scribe in “The Tale of Bygone Years”, in the article describing the events of 6453 (945).

A peace treaty with Kon-stan-ti-no-po-wives had to be approved by both re-li-gi-oz-us-societies -mi Ki-e-va: “Rus is baptized”, that is, the Christians came to the priest in the cathedral church of St. the pro-ro-ka of God Elijah; “Rus' is unbaptized,” pagans, swore on weapons in the sacred place of Pe-ru-on Gro-mo-verzh-tsa. The fact that Christians have taken first place in do-ku-men speaks of their pre-eminent spirituality. the greatest significance in the life of Kiev Rus.

Obviously, at the moment when, before 944, the thief was installed in Tsar-Gra-de, in power in Ki-e-ve hundred -Am I people who have a feeling for Christianity, who are aware of the need for it? society of Ru-si to the living-creative Christian culture. Perhaps Prince Igor himself, an official position of some kind, was attached to this right-handed position. it was not allowed for him to personally convert to the new faith without deciding the question of the Baptism of the entire country and the establishment of new le-nii in it the right-glorious church hierarchy. For this reason, the agreement was drawn up in careful steps, which would not have prevented the prince from approving - to give it both in the form of a pagan oath, and in the form of a Christian oath.

But while the Byzantine envoys arrived in Kiev, the settlement on the Dnieper essentially left me. The pagan op-position was clearly defined, at the head of which were the hundred Va-Ryazh vo-ds of the Holy -neld and his son Msti-slav (Msti-sha), to whom Igor gave the Drev-lyansky land as a holding.

The influence of the Khazar Jews was also strong in Kiev, and they could not like the idea of ​​triumph right to glory in the Russian land.

Unable to overcome the inertia of custom, Igor remained a pagan and sealed the agreement according to the pagan pattern - oath on swords. He rejected the blessings of Baptism and was punished for unbelief. A year later, in 945, the rebel pagans killed him in the Ancient land, tearing him apart between two trees. But the days of paganism and the way of life of the Slavic tribes based on it were already over. I bore the burden of government service with my three-year-old son, the Holy-glorious widow of Igor - ve -li-princess of Ki-ev-skaya Ol-ga.

The name of the future pro-sve-ti-tel-ni-tsy of the Russian region and its birth “The Tale of Bygone Years” is for the first time named in an article about Igor’s wife: “and did you bring him a wife from Pskov, named Ol-gu.” She came-above-le-zha-la, specifies Joachim's chronicle-writing, to the family of the princes of Iz-bor, one of the forgotten trees -non-Russian princely di-nasties, which were in Russia in the 10th-11th centuries. no less than twenty, but some of which were all close to you over time Ryu-ri-ko-vi-cha-mi or merged with none -through marriage. Some of them were of local, Slavic origin, others were newcomers, Varangian. It is known that the Scandinavian ko-nuns, invited to reign in Russian cities, invariably no Russian language, often - Russian names and quickly a hundred - appeared on the Russian - as if by design -in life, both in terms of world-view and even in terms of physical appearance.

So Igor’s wife-in-law was called by the Var-Ryazh name Hel-ga, in the Russian “eye-of-the-eye” pro-iz-no-she-nii - Ol-ga, Vol-ga. The female name Ol-ga corresponds to the male name Oleg (Hel-gi), which means “saint”. Although the pagan-ness of holiness is completely different from Christianity, it is also pre- there is a special spiritual disposition in a person, whole-wisdom and sobriety, intelligence and insight. Revealing the spiritual meaning of the name, the people called Ole the Prophet, Olga the Wise.

Later legends named the village as her birth name. You are a few kilometers from Psko- up the river Ve-li-koy. Not long ago, there seemed to be a bridge on the Olgin River - at the ancient river crossing, where Olga met Igor. Pskovskaya then-kept a lot of names associated with the pa-my-great Psko-vi-tyan- ki: de-rev-ni Ol-zhe-nets and Ol-gi-no Po-le, Ol-gi-ny Vo-ro-ta - one of the ru-ka-vov of the river Ve-li-koy, Ol -gi-na Mountain and Ol-gin Cross - near Pskov Lake, Ol-gin Ka-men - near the village of You-bu-you.

Na-cha-lo sa-mo-sto-ya-tel-no-government of Prince Olga in connection with the story about the terrible retribution of the ancients to us, the murderers of Igor. Swearing on swords and believing “only in your sword”, the tongues about-re-che-were God’s su- the house from the sword and die (). By bowing to fire, among other deified elements, they found their vengeance in the fire. The Lord took Olga from half-full of fiery punishment.

The struggle for the unity of Ru-si, for the subordination of the Ki-ev center to the mutual enmity of the tribes and the principalities of the pro-kla-dy-va-la path to the window-cha-tel-noy of Christianity in the Russian land. Behind Ol-ga, still a pagan, the hundred-I-la Kiev Christian Church and its heavenly patron, the holy pro- the fate of God Elijah, with his fiery faith and prayer, his wondrous fire from the sky, and her victory over the ancients, despite the su -news of be-di-tel-ni-tsy, there was a vi-de-doy of Christian, creative forces in the Russian state-su- the gift of the si-la-mi languages, the dark-mi and the destruction of the tel-us.

Ol-ga of God-wise-paradise entered history as a great co-creator of state life and cult -ry of Kiev Ru-si. Le-to-pi-si is full of testimonials about her tireless “walks” across the Russian land for the purpose of good development and emphasis on civil and economic life under the given. Having achieved the internal strengthening of the power of the Kiev prince, weakening the influence of the me-shav- shih co-bi-ra-niu of Ru-si of small local princes, Ol-ga tsen-tra-li-zo-va-la all state-government from to -with the power of the system "by-go-stov". In 946, with her son and friend, she walked through the Drev-Lyanskaya land, “established yes-no and about-ro-ki”, from- me-cha villages, hundred-no-vi-scha and places of hunting, subject to inclusion in the Ki-ev-ki-princely authorities -de-niya. The next year she went to Novgorod, set up camps along the rivers Msta and Luga, leaving visible traces of her everywhere -ey de-ya-tel-no-sti. “There were places for her (hunting places) all over the earth, established signs, places for her and places for her,” she wrote le-to-pi-sets, - and she stands in Pskov to this day, there are places indicated by her for catching birds along the Dnieper and along the Desna; and her village Ol-zhi-chi still exists today.”

Arranged by Ol-goy in-go-sty, being a finan-co-administrator and su-deb-ny centers, provided a strong support for the princely power on the ground.

Being before everything, according to the very meaning of the word, the center of trade and trade ("guest" is a merchant), with -bi-paradise and or-ga-ni-zuya around yourself on-se-le-nie (instead of the former “for-people” gathering yes-no and na-lo- gov-implementation now equally and emphatically according to the rules), Ol-gins have become important -the very cell of this-no-thing and cultural association of the Russian nation.

Later, when Olga became chri-sti-an-koy, the first temples began to be erected according to the rules; from the time of the Baptism of Ru-si at the Holy Vladimir according to GOST and the temple (parish) became inseparable according to -I-mi. (Only subsequently, from the existence of cemeteries near temples, did the word “according to GOST” develop in the sense of le "treasure-bi-sche".)

Princess Olga did a lot of work to strengthen the country's defense power. The cities have become strong and fortified, you-sh-go-ro-dy (or de-tin-tsy, except us) have become -men-ny-mi and du-bo-you-mi ste-na-mi (for-bra-la-mi), more-ti-ni-wa-la-mi, often-to-ko- la-mi. The princess herself, knowing how hostile many were to the idea of ​​strengthening princely power and unity Ru-si, she lived in a hundred-yang-but “on the mountain”, above the Dnieper, behind-the-bra-la-mi of Ki-ev-sko-go-go- sh-go-ro-da (Top-not-go-ro-da), surrounded by a faithful friend. Two-thirds of the so-bran-noy, according to the evidence of the le-to-pi-si, she is from-da-va-la in the ra-s-rya-same ki-ev -th ve-cha, the third part went “to Ol-ze, to Vy-sh-city” - for the needs of the military structure. By the time Ol-ga is-to-ri-ki, the establishment of the first state borders of Russia - for-pa- Yes, with Poland. Bo-ga-tyr-skie for-sta-you in the south hundred-ro-lived peaceful n-you ki-ev-lyans from the people of Di-ko-go Pol. The foreigners rushed to Gar-da-ri-ku ("country-well-towns"), as they called Rus', from that-va-ra -mi and ru-ko-de-lya-mi. The Swedes, Danes, and Germans willingly joined the Russian army. Shi-ryat-sya for-ru-be-z-zi-ki-e-va. This contributes to the development of stone construction in the city, at the beginning of Once upon a time there lived Princess Olga. The first stone buildings of Ki-e-va - the city palace and Ol-ga's out-of-town tower - only in our century. Have you found ar-heo-lo-ga-mi? (The palace, or more precisely, its foundation and the remains of the walls, were found and disassembled in 1971-1972.)

But not only the strengthening of the state and the development of economic forms of national life attracted attention ma-nie wise-roy prince-gi-ni. What seemed even more urgent to her was the radical transformation of the re-li-gi-oz-life of Ru-si, do -khov-noe pre-ob-ra-zhe-nie of the Russian na-ro-da. Rus' has become a great country. Only two European states in those years could compete with her in significance and power: in the first place Europe - the ancient Byzantine empire, in the background - the kingdom of the Saxons.

The experience of both empires, which owe their high-high-spirit of Christian teachings, re-li-gi-oz to the main points of your life, it seemed clear that the path to the future great Russia lies not only through en-nye, but first of all and pre-importantly through spiritual goals and achievements. In the hands of Ki-ev under the grown-up son of the Holy Glory, Great Princess Ol-ga in the summer of 954, vys-kav bla-go-da-ti and is-ti-ny, from-la-et-sya with a large fleet to Tsar-grad. This was a peaceful “walking”, which was due to re-li-gi-oz-no-go-pa-lom-no-things and di- pl-ma-ti-che-skoy mission, but po-li-ti-che-skie so-o-ra-zhe-niya requirements so that it becomes one-now-men -but the manifestation of the military power of Ru-si on the Black Sea, which reminds us of the proud-smoking "ro-me" -yam" about the be-do-nos-nyh walks of As-kol-da and Ole-ga, who in 907 brought their shield "at the gates of the Tsar -gra-da."

The result was achieved. The appearance of the Russian fleet on the Bosphorus created the necessary pre-references for the development of other the same Russian-vi-zan-tiy-dia-lo-ha. In turn, the southern capital of Se-ve-ra’s stern daughter gave a different color, -ko-le-pi-eat ar-hi-tek-tu-ry, mix-she-ni-em languages ​​and peoples of the world. But a special impression is made of the wealth of Christian temples and the shrines collected in them. Tsar-grad, “king-city” of the Greek empire, even at the very foundation (more precisely, the re-establishment) le-nii) in the year 330, dedicated to the saint equal to the capital Kon-stan-ti-n the Great (commemorated on May 21) Most Holy -that Bo-go-ro-di-tse (this event was celebrated in the Greek Church on May 11 and passed from there to Russia) heavenly months), strive in everything to be worthy of your Heavenly Protector. The Russian princess is present for God's service in the best churches of Kon-stan-ti-no-po-la - Holy that Sophia, Blachernae Bo-go-ma-te-ri and others.

The heart of the wise Olga opened to the holy right, she made the decision to become a Christian. The ta-in-stvo of Baptism was co-performed over her by the pat-ri-arch Kon-stan-ti-no-pol-sky Fe-o-fi-lakt (933-956), and the restoration -no-one was the emperor Kon-stan-tin Bag-rya-no-native himself (912-959). She was given the name Elena in Baptism in honor of the holy equal of the capital Elena (commemorated on May 21), ma-te- ri of the holy Kon-stan-ti-na, the Honest Tree of the Cross of the State. In the na-zi-da-tel-word, said at the completion of the ob-rya-da, the pat-ri-arch said: “Bla-go-slo-ven -you are in the wives of the Russians, for you left the darkness and loved the Light. The Russian people bless you in all lands- those who live with you, from your grandchildren and great-grandchildren to your descendants.” He in- structed her in the is-ti-nah of the faith, the church charter and the prayer rule, explained the di about po-ste, tse-lo-wisdom and cuteness. “She,” says the reverend, “bowed her head and stood, as if she were saying a word.” May, listening to the teaching, and, bowing to Pat-ri-ar-hu, said: “Pray-to-va-mi yours, Vla- come on, let's save ourselves from the networks of the enemy."

Exactly like that, with a slightly bowed head, an image of Saint Olga on one of the frescoes of Kiev So-fiy-sko-go so-bo-ra, as well as at the contemporary Vi-zan-Ti-skaya mi-ni-a-tyu-re, in the face of the hand -pi-si Chro-ni-ki Ioan-na Ski-li-tsy from Mad-Rid-skaya na-tsio-nal-noy bib-lio-te-ki. The Greek inscription, with-about-the-leader-da-yu-shaya mi-ni-a-tyu-ru, calls Ol-gu “ar-hon-tes-soy (that there is a vla-dy-chi-tsey) rus-sov", "the woman, El-goy by name, who came to the Tsar Kon-stan-ti-nu and was ba-sche-na." The princess is depicted in a special head-dress, “like a newly-baptized Christ-an-ka and an even-naya Dia -ko-nis-sa of the Russian Church." Next to her, in the same baptismal attire, is Ma-lusha († 1001), subsequently the mother of the holy equal. no-go Vla-di-mi-ra (on July 15).

So-who-hates-no-Russians, such as the emperor Kon-stan-tin Bag-rya-but-native was, it was not easy for- Let's become the godfather of "ar-khon-tes-sy Ru-si". In the Russian let-to-pi-si there were stories about how to decide-but and equally-go-va-ri-va-la Ol-ga with im-per-ra-to-rum, surprising the Greeks with spiritual maturity and state-wisdom, in a way Vaya that the Russian people have the power to accept and live wisely the highest achievements of the Greek re-li-gi-oz -no-genius, the best fruits of the Vi-zan-Ti-spirit-no-sti and culture. So Saint Olga managed to peacefully “take Tsar-Grad”, something that no other half-council had been able to do before her. According to the evidence of the le-to-pi-si, the im-pe-ra-tor himself had to admit that “per-re-klu-ka-la” (per-re -hit-ri-la) his Ol-ga, and the people's memory, united-niv about the prophetic Ol-ga and the wise Ol-ga, for-pe -chat-le-la this spiritual victory in the story “About the capture of the Tsar-rya-city by Prince Ol-goy.”

Kon-stan-tin Bag-rya-no-native in his co-chi-ne-nii “About the ce-re-mo-ni-yah of the Vi-zan-ti-court”, who came to us in a single list, left a detailed description of the ceremonies that co-promoted the leaders -va-nie of Saint Olga in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le. He describes a ceremonial reception in the famous pa-la-te Magnaur, accompanied by the singing of bronze birds and the growling of honey -nyh lions, where Ol-ga appeared with a huge retinue of 108 people (not counting the people from the Holy-glory), and re-go-vo-ry in a narrower circle in the villages im-pe-ra-tri-tsy, and a happy dinner in the Yus-ti hall -no-a-na, where, due to the circumstances of the pro-mind, we met at the same table. sovereign ladies": ba-bush-ka and the mother of the holy equal of Vla-di-mi-ra (Saint Ol-ga and her companion -ni-tsa Ma-lusha) with grandma-bush-koy and ma-teryu of his future su-pru-gi Anna (im-per-ra-three-tsa Elena and her brides -ka Fe-o-fa-no). He'll walk a little more along-lu-ve-ka, and in the De-sha-tiny temple of the Holy God-ro-di-tsy in Ki-e-ve-ka there will be Near the house there are a hundred marble-sea coffins of St. Olga, St. Vla-di-mir and the blessed "Tsar Anna" ".

During one of the receptions, Kon-stan-tin is talking about Bag-rya-but-native, the Russian princess was under -not-that-but-golden, stone-decorated dish. Saint Ol-ga sacrificed him in the vestment of So-fiy-sko-go-bo-ra, where he was seen and described in the na-cha-le 13th century Russian diplomat Dob-ry-nya Yad-rei-kovich, subsequently arch-bishop of Novgorod An-to-niy: “The dish of great evil was the service of Ol-ga the Russian, when she took tribute, she went to Tsar-Grad; in the dish Ol -zhine ka-men dr-giy, on the same ka-me-ni na-pi-san Christos.”

However, the lu-ka-vy im-per-ra-tor, having communicated so much in detail, as if in retaliation for the fact that “per-re- Ol-ga pecked him,” gave a difficult riddle to the is-to-ri-kam of the Russian Church. The point is that the most venerable Nestor Le-to-pi-sets speaks in “In the Time of Years” about the Cre- Olga’s research in the year 6463 (955 or 954), and this corresponds to the Byzantine chronology of Ked-ri-na . Another Russian church writer of the 11th century, Jacob Mnih, in the word “Praise and praise Vladimir... and how the grandmother Vla-di-mi-ra Ol-ga was baptized,” speaking about the death of the holy princess († 969), from-me-cha- It is said that she lived as a Christian for fifteen years, and at the same time she was Baptized in 954, which is it is exactly the same up to a few months from Nestor’s indication. Meanwhile, Kon-stan-tin Bag-rya-no-native, describe Ol-ga’s pre-existence in Kon-stan-ti-no-on-le and na-zy -the exact details of the reception he arranged in her honor, with uncertainty he lets it be understood that all this was about-ho-di-lo in 957. For the acceptance of the given le-to-pi-si, on the one hand, and the Kon-stan-ti-na, on the other, Russian churches had to choose one of two things: either Saint Olga for the continuation of re- re-go-vo-ditch with im-per-ra-to-rum in 957 came-e-ha-la to Kon-stan-ti-no-pol for the second time, or she She was baptized not in Tsar-Gra-de, but in Ki-e-ve in 954, and her only fall-away was in Vi -zan-tiyu so-ver-shi-la, already bu-duchi hri-sti-an-koy. The first pre-position is more plausible.

What ka-sa-et-sya directly-but di-plo-ma-ti-che-sko-go is-ho-da per-re-go-vo-ditch, from Saint Olga would there be any reason to remain dissatisfied with them. Having achieved success in questions about Russian trade within the empire and confirmation of peace before -in-ra with Vi-zan-ti, imprisoned by Igo-rem in 944, she could not, however, persuade the thread to im- ra-to-ra to two important co-gla-she-ni-yams for Russia: about the di-na-sti-che-marriage of the Holy-glory with Vi-zan-tiy -sky tsar-rev-noy and about the conditions for the restoration of the existence of the Vav-shays under As-kol-de of the right-glorious mit-ro-po -lia in Ki-e-ve. Her dissatisfaction with the mission is clearly heard in the response she gave upon her return to the di-well, sent from im-per-ra-to-ra in slam. In response to their request from-no-si-tel-but the promised military help from Saint Ol-ga through the words of sharply from-ve-ti-la: “If you stay with me in Po-China as much as I do in Su-du, then I’ll give you a vo-ev in po- power".

At the same time, despite the failure of the old government to establish a church hierarchy in Russia, Saint Olga, having become a Christian -what, zeal-but-pre-da-va-was-at-the-movements of the Christian-good-news among the pagans and churches -th construction: “tre-bi-scha be-sov-skaya co-cru-shi and on-cha-ti about Christ Jesus.” She erects temples: St. Nicholas and St. Sophia in Ki-e-ve, the Blessings of the Most Holy -that Bo-go-ro-di-tsy - in Vi-teb-sk, the Holy Life-at-the-chief Tro-i-tsy - in Pskov. Since then, Pskov has been called the House of the Holy Trinity in the summer. The temple, built by Olga over the Ve-li-kay river, at the place indicated to her, according to the testimony of the scribe, from above "Beam of the Three-si-tel-no-go-god-stvo", pro-stood for more than a century. In 1137, the holy prince Vse-vo-lod-Gav-ri-il († 1138, commemoration of February 11) for-menil de-re-vyan-ny temple ka-men -nym, which was re-built, in turn, in 1363 and replaced, finally, to the present day shim Tro-its-kim so-bo-rum.

And another important monument to the Russian “mo-nu-men-tal-no-go-go-word”, as they often call to the church architecture, associated with the name of the holy equal of the capital Olga - the temple of Sophia the Most Wisdom of God to her in Ki-e-ve, married soon after her return from the Tsar-city and consecrated on May 11, 960. This day was subsequently celebrated in the Russian Church as a special church holiday.

In the month of the per-ha-men-no-go Apo-sto-la of 1307, on May 11, for-pi-sa-no: “On the same day, the consecration of St. -that Sophia in Ki-e-ve in the summer of 6460." Yes, pa-my-ti, in the opinion of the churches of the is-to-ri-kov, pointing out according to the so-called "an-tio-hiy" -sko-mu", and not according to the general-pri-nya-mu kon-stan-ti-but-pol-su-summer-is-number-and-from-vet It is 960 years after the birth of Christ.

Saint Ol-ga not without reason received the name of the holy equal of the capital Helen in Baptism, who found the Honest Tree The Cross of Christ in Ieru-sa-li-me. The main sanctuary of the newly-created Sophia Church was the Holy Cross, which was founded by the new Helen of Tsa -ry-gra-da and received by her in a blessing from Kon-stan-ti-no-pol-go pat-ri-ar-ha. The cross, according to legend, was cut from a single piece of the Living Tree of the Lord. On the cross there was an inscription: “The Russian land is protected by the Holy Cross, which Ol-ga, blessed and faithful, received.” prince-gi-nya."

Saint Ol-ha did a lot of things to commemorate the memory of the first Russian scholars named after Christ -va: over the grave of As-kol-da, he erected the Nikol-sky temple, where, according to some sources, she herself was in as a consequence, in a good way, above the grave of Di-ra is the highest-called St. Sophia Cathedral, which is simply -after half a century, it burned down in 1017. Yaro-slav the Wise built on this place later, in 1050, the church of St. Irene, and St. Sophia Ol -gi-to the temple-re-carried to the stone temple of the same name - the still-standing Sophia of Ki-ev-skaya, for-lo-female- new in 1017 and consecrated around 1030. In the Pro-log of the 13th century it was said about the Ol-gi-nom cross: “it now stands in Ki-e-ve in St. Sophia in al-ta-re on the right side". The plunder of the Ki-evo shrines, continued after the mon-go-lovs of Li-tov-ts-mi, to which the city became -Xia in 1341, didn’t spare him either. Under Jagai-le during the Union of Lublin, Poland and Lithuania were united in 1384 into one state, Ol- The gin cross was stolen from So-fiy-sko-go-bo-ra and taken by someone to Lub-lin. His further fate is unknown.

But among the bo-yars and druzhin-ni-kovs in Ki-e-ve there were a lot of people who, according to So-lo-mo-na, " “I don’t see the Great Wisdom,” as did the holy princess Olga, who built temples to Her. The roar of the language of the ancient world is becoming more and more bold under the go-lo-woo, looking with hope-of-paradise at the under-growth She-holy-glory-va, decided-but-from-niv-she-go-go-ry ma-te-ri to accept Christianity and yes- I am angry with her for this. It would be necessary to hurry with the thoughtful business of the Creation of Rusi. The co-war-stvo of Vi-zan-tiya, it was not the same to give Christianity to Ru-si, it was in the hands of the tongue-n-kam. In search of a solution, Saint Olga turns her eyes to the west. There is no pro-ti-vo-speech here. Saint Olga († 969) still belonged to the undivided Church and hardly had the opportunity to delve into God. word tones of Greek and Latin faith teachings. Pro-ti-in-a-sto-i-ness of Za-pa-da and Vo-sto-la-was presented to her before everything in the same way -thing, second-degree in comparison with the real one for-whose - co-creation of the Russian Church, christ- An-skim pro-sve-sche-ni-em Ru-si.

Under the year 959, the German chronicler, named "pro-dol-zha-tel Re-gi-no-na", writes: "they came to the king of Elena, the queen of the Russians, who was baptized in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le, and pro-si- "Should we consecrate a bishop and priests for this?" King Otton, the future os-no-va-tel of the German Empire, willingly responded to Olga’s request, but - he conducted the business slowly, with a purely German-ness. Only on the next birthday, 960, was the Russian bishop installed Li-bu-tion, from the mon-on-brotherhood the monastery of Saint Alba in Mainz. But he soon died (March 15, 961). In his place, Adalbert of Trier was ordained, who Otton, “generously supplied with everything necessary,” from Netz, to Russia. It’s hard to say what would have happened if the king hadn’t waited so long, but when in 962 Adalbert appeared in Ki-e -ve, he “didn’t succeed in anything for which he was sent, and saw his efforts in vain.” Well, on the way back, “some of his companions were killed, and the bishop himself did not escape the mortal danger."

It turned out that over the past two years, just like before Olga, a window has finally opened in Ki-e-ve. re-turned in favor of the sides of paganism and, without becoming either right-glorious or anything else, Russia -in general, once again I thought about Christianity. The linguistic re-action manifested itself so strongly that not only the German mis-si-o-not-ry, but and some of the Kiev Christians who were baptized with Olga in Tsar-Grad. By order of the Holy Glory, the nephew of Saint Olga Gleb was killed and some buildings built by her were destroyed. We. Ra-zu-me-et-sya, this could not have happened without the Vi-zan-Ti secret diplomacy: the build-en-en-against Ol-ga and the meeting military opportunities for strengthening Ru-si due to cooperation with Otto, the Greeks preferred to support the language -kov.

The failure of the Adal-ber-t mission had a conceptual significance for the future Russian Orthodox Church, because escaped papal captivity. Saint Olga was left to come to terms with what had happened and completely go into the business of personal goodness, having given the reins of the rights of the tongue to the Holy Glory. They continued to take her into account, to her state-wisdom they invariably turned to her in all difficult cases. I. When Saint Slav departed from Ki-e-va, and he spent most of his time in campaigns and wars, managing -the state of the state was once again entrusted to the princess-gina-ma-te-ri. But the question of the Baptism of Rusi was temporarily removed from the agenda of the day, and this, of course, upset Saint Olga, consider -making Christ the good news the main thing in my life.

She meekly endured grief and grief, tried to help her son in the state and military for-bo-tah, to guide them in their heroic plans. The victory of the Russian army would have been a consolation for her, especially the defeat of the long-time enemy of the Russian state -gifts - Ha-zar-sko-go ka-ga-na-ta. Twice, in 965 and in 969, the troops of the Holy Glory passed through the lands of the “non-insane Kha-zarov”, forever co- crushed the power of the Jewish authorities in the Azov region and the Lower Volga region. The next powerful blow was on the Muslim Volga Bulgaria, then it was the turn of Bulgaria Du- nay-skoy. Seventy cities along the Danube were taken as friends. One thing bothers Ol-gu: as if, carried away by the war at Bal-ka-nakh, St. Slav did not forget about Ki-e-ve.

In the spring of 969, Ki-ev wasa-di-li pe-che-ne-gi: “and it’s impossible for you to bring co-nya to-it, sto-ya pe-che-ne-gi on Ly-be-di." The Russian army was here and there, on the Danube. Having glorified the messengers to the son, Saint Ol-ga herself led the round of the hundred-faces. Saint Slav, having received the news, soon galloped to Kiev, “greeted his mother and children and com- crushed “What happened to them because of the bad guys.” But, having defeated the nomads, the military prince again began to speak to ma-te-ri: “I don’t like sitting in Ki- e-ve, I want to live in Pe-re-ya-s-lav-tse on the Danube - there’s s-re-di-on my land.” Saint Slav dreamed of creating a huge Russian state from the Danube to the Volga, which would unite Russia, Bol -garia, Serbia, the Black Sea region and the Azov region and extended their pre-deeds to the Tsar-city itself. Ol-ga is wise, no-ma-la, that with all the courage and from-va-ge of the Russian squads, they will not be able to cope with the ancient im-peri -ey ro-me-ev, Holy-glory was waiting for failure. But the son did not listen to the warning ma-te-ri. Then Saint Olga said: “You see, I’m in pain. Where do you want to get away from me? When is it good for me?” -nya, go wherever you want."

Her days were so long, her labors and sorrows eroded her strength. On July 11, 969, Saint Olga died, “and her great son, and her grandchildren, and all the people wept for her.” In the last years, amidst the triumph of the language, she, who was once a proud ruler, was baptized from the patrimony -ri-ar-ha in the capital of the right-of-glory, the elk came secretly, but keep the sacred one with you, so as not to call new howl flash-ki an-ti-hri-sti-an-sko-go fa-na-tiz-ma. But before death, having again regained her former firmness and determination, she for-gave pagan funeral feasts over her and opened the door according to the right order. Presbyter Gregory, who was with her in 957 in Kon-stan-ti-no-po-le, exactly executed her for -broadcasting.

Saint Olga lived, died, and was like a Christian. "And so alive and well is the glory of God in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in bliss of faith, end your life in peace in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” As her pro-ro-che-testament following the-to-le-ni-yam, she is with the deep-christian-smi-re-ni -we-have-da-la our faith about our-ro-de: “For God’s will, let it be! wa-ti-ro-du my-e-Land of Russia, let it lay on their hearts to turn to God, just as this God is to me yes-ro-va."

God glorified the holy work of the right-of-glory, “at the head of the faith” in the Russian land, chu-de-sa- We have no decaying relics. Jacob Mnih († 1072), a hundred years after her death, wrote in his “Pa-me-ti and in praise of Vla-di-mi-ru”: “God pro- glorify the body of your servant Olena, and there is her honorable body in the grave, and my indestructible remains to this day. The blessed princess Olga praised God with all her good deeds, and God glorified her ". Under the holy prince Vladimir, according to some data, in 1007, the relics of St. Olga were -we are in the Dec-tiny Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy God-ro-di-tsy and in a special sar-ko-fa- hey, in what places would the relics of the saints be placed in the right-glorious East. “And you’ve heard something wonderful about her: the stone’s coffin is small in the Church of the Holy Gods, that church was created by the blessed Prince Vla -di-peace, and there is the coffin of the blessed Olga. And on the top of the coffin there is a window - yes, you can see the body of the blessed Ol-gi le-zha-sche tse-lo.” But not everyone saw the miracle of the incorruptibility of the relics of the equal princess: “He who will come with faith will - there is a window, and he sees an honest body lying there intact and di-wit-sya chu-du that-ko-vo-mu - that-or-so-years-in-gro- be-le-zha-sche the body is unbreakable. as if he were sleeping, he could not see. And others, who do not come with faith, do not see the window of the tomb, and do not see it. la that’s honest, but only a coffin.”

So, after her death, Saint Ol-ga proclaimed eternal life and resurrection, filled with the joy of faith. Yu-shchih and lying incredulous. She was, according to the words of the Pre-ex-Nestor Le-to-scribe, “the pre-Christian land, like a den “nothing before the sun and like dawn before the light.”

Holy equal-to-great Prince Vladimir, exalting his blessing to God on the day of the Baptism of Ru -si, testify on behalf of his contemporaries about the holy equal of the so-so Olga, who knows-me-on-tel- in our words: “Bla-go-slo-vi-ti want the sons of Russia, and in the last generation the grandson of yours.”

Prayers

Troparion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, tone 1

With the wings of God's understanding, you flew above the visible creation, / having sought God and the Creator of all things, / and having found Him, you received birth through Baptism Thou art, / enjoying the trees of the living, incorruptible and abiding forever, // Olgo, ever-glorious.

Translation: Having covered your mind with the wings of the knowledge of God, you soared above the visible creation, seeking God and the Creator of all and, having found Him, received a new birth in Baptism, enjoying the Tree of Life, remaining incorruptible forever, Olga, always glorified.

Troparion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, tone 4

Having abandoned the flattery of idols,/ you followed Christ, the Immortal Bridegroom, Olgo the God-Wise,/ rejoicing in His devil,/ praying unceasingly// for those who honor the holy memory with faith and love fuck yours.

Translation: Leaving deception, you followed Christ, the Immortal Bridegroom, Olga the God-Wise, rejoicing in His palace, without ceasing to pray for those who honor your holy memory with faith and love.

Troparion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, tone 8

In you, God-wise Elena, you know the image of salvation in the Russian country, / how, having received the bath of holy Baptism, you followed Christ, / creating and teaching, even to leave the idolatry flattery,/ to take care of the soul, things more immortal, // also and with the Angels, Equal-to-the-Apostles, your spirit rejoices.

Translation: In you, God-wise Elena, there was an exact image of salvation for the Russian country, since you, having accepted the font of holy Baptism, followed Christ, teaching by deed to leave the seduction of idols and take care of the soul, an immortal creation, therefore your spirit, equal to the apostles, rejoices with the Angels .

Troparion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, Hellenic, tone 3

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles to the chosen one of Christ, Princess Olgo,/ gave your people the verbal and pure milk of Christ to drink,/ praying to the Merciful God,/ that the remission of sins// will give souls to Shim.

Translation: Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles chosen one of Christ, Princess Olga, who gave your people the verbal and pure milk of Christ to drink (), pray to the Merciful God that He may grant forgiveness to our souls for sins.

Kontakion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, tone 4

Let us sing today to God, the Benefactor of all,/ who was glorified in Russia by Olga the God-Wise:/ so that through her prayers/ she will grant to our souls// remission of sins.

Translation: Today let us sing to God, the Benefactor of all, who glorified Olga the God-Wise in Russia, and through her prayers may grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.

Kontakion to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Helen, tone 4

Today the grace of God appears to all, / having glorified Olga the God-Wise in Russia, / with her prayers, O Lord, / grant people // forgiveness of sins.

Translation: Today the grace of God appeared to everyone, glorifying Olga the God-wise in Rus', through her prayers, Lord, grant forgiveness of sins to people.

Greatness to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism Elena

We magnify you,/ holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olgo,/ like the morning dawn that rose in our land/ and the light of the Orthodox faith// who foreshadowed to her people.

First prayer to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Elena

Oh, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olgo, First Lady of Russia, warm intercessor and prayer worker for us before God! We come running to you with faith and pray with love: be your helper and helper for our good in all things and, just as in your earlier life you tried to enlighten our forefathers with the light of the holy faith and I instruct you to do the will of the Lord, so even now, in the Heavenly Lordship, you remain 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, present consolation, give a helping hand to those in need, intercede for those who are offended and attacked, those who have gone astray from the right faith and those blinded by heresies, for understanding and ask us from the Almighty Dear God, all the good and useful things of life, temporary and eternal, so that having lived here well, we will be worthy of inheriting 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.

Second prayer to Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, in Holy Baptism to Elena

Oh, 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 received holy Baptism, and you laid the foundation for the enlightenment of the Russian land. This is the volume of faith and piety. You are our spiritual ancestor, you, according to Christ our Savior, are the first culprit of enlightenment and salvation of our race. You are a warm prayer and intercessor for the Fatherland of the All-Russians, the army and all people. For this reason, we humbly pray to you: look at our weaknesses and beg the Most Merciful King of Heaven, may he not be sorely angry with us, because because of our weaknesses we sin all day long, may he not destroy us without iniquity bear with us, but may he have mercy and save us by mercy May He plant 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 path of wickedness and error, and strive in the paths of salvation and truth, unwavering fulfillment of the commandments of God and the statutes of the Holy Church. Pray, blessed Olgo, the Human-lover of God, may He add His great mercy to us, may He deliver us from the invasion of foreigners, from internal unrest, rebellion and strife, from famine, deadly diseases her and from all evil, may he give us the goodness of the air and the fruitfulness of the earth May he preserve our country from all the snares and slander of the enemy, may he preserve truth and mercy in judges and rulers, may he give zeal to the shepherds for the salvation of his flock, may he give haste to all people, oh who is diligent with correct your mistakes, love each other and have like-mindedness, yes For the good of the fatherland and the Holy Church, let us strive faithfully, so that the light of saving faith may shine in our country in all corners of the country, so that nonbelievers may turn to the faith, and may all heresies and schisms be abolished. Yes, having lived in peace on earth, we will be made worthy of eternal bliss in Heaven, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.

Canons and Akathists

Song 1

Irmos: Having drowned the majestic Pharaoh in the sea with his weapons and horsemen, having gloriously saved Israel and led him through the dry land, we sing of Christ, as if we were glorified.

You are our greatness and praise, Olgo the God-Wise: through you we are freed from idolatry’s flattery. Now pray for the generation and generations you brought to God, singing to Christ, as if you were glorified.

You drove out the majestic devil from Russia, you destroyed the wicked idols, you freed all people from lawlessness, teaching with wisdom the songs of Christ, as if you were glorified.

You have washed away the blackness of sin by the bath of Baptism, you have loved Christ, who stands before Him, praying for your servants, truly glorifying you.

Theotokos: Isaiah calls Thee the rod, the Most Pure One, David calls Thee the throne of the Lord, Habakkuk the shaded mountain, and Moses the bush, and we call Thee the Mother of God.

Song 3

Irmos: With a sovereign hand and a strong word you created Heaven and earth, even with Your Blood you redeemed Your Church, which is established in You, calling: for nothing is holy except You, Lord.

With a sovereign hand, and with wise words, and with a strong word, you taught your son the law of Christ and you forbade people from eating idols, O most glorious Olgo, who has now come together in your memory, we glorify you.

You, like a bee, have sought for the good mind far from the blossoming faith of Christ, and, like native honey, having received Baptism in the Royal City, you have bestowed upon your city and people, from which all the saturations of the sorrows of sin escape.

We offer all praise and prayer to you, Olgo, because you know God, who now stands before Him, asking for peace to the fatherland, and for filthy victories, and for the remission of sins to our souls, who sing to you, ever-blessed one.

Theotokos: You have appeared as a friend, O Virgin, of the Unapproachable God, so the angels incessantly sing of You, obeying the Master, for You gave birth to the Word of the Father, the Co-Original, without a father: oh, miracle! Holy Spirit of Autumn Ty.

Sedalen, voice 3

We honor your feat, blessed one, for the strength of your spirit is marvelous, appearing in the weakness of your body; Having despised pagan flattery, you boldly preached the faith of Christ, giving us an image of zeal for the Lord.

Song 4

Irmos: The prophet, Habakkuk the Divine, was cleansed by the Spirit of God, breathing in him, fearing, saying: when summer draws near, you will be known, O God, for the salvation of men.

The Spirit of God rests on you, as on Devora, the prophetess of old, who, having been enlightened, strengthening the wise Vladimir, Sisera cast down the devil in his net with Baptism, as Barak did in Potots Kisso before.

Like the rapids, Olgo the God-wise, with a contrite heart, praying to God, you delivered your people from the insult of idols and freed you from the captivity of the enemy, calling on Christ for our help.

On the special day of your holy repose, we joyfully celebrate, sending up a prayer song to Christ, who crowned you with an incorruptible crown, Olgo the God-wise: ask us for the forgiveness of sins, who glorify you faithfully.

Theotokos: You, who flourished from the root of Jesse, as Isaiah prophesied, Christ the Flower that vegetated, and who bore the Original in the flesh, and the Rod of God's Spirit, we praise You, as the Mother of God and the Pure Virgin.

Song 5

Irmos: The Word of God, Omnipotent, sent peace to the whole world, illuminating and enlightening everything with true light, glorifying Thee out of the night.

Like a chaste dove, you arose on the date of virtues, you, possessing a sacred krill, flying in the image, you nested in the paradise of food, glorious Olgo.

Solomon spoke about you first: the royal olive tree flourished outside the grapes; You planted a holy dream with Baptism in Russia, creating the fruit of repentance, about which Christ Himself rejoices.

Have mercy, O Master, on Your newly enlightened people, do not deliver us into the hands of the filthy for our many iniquities, but through the prayers of our mentor Olga, deliver us from all misfortune.

Theotokos: Sprinkle all the clouds of joy, as it is written, upon the earth: for God’s Child, Christ, cleanse the world from sins, was incarnate of the Virgin and was given to us.

Song 6

Irmos: Let my prayer come to Thy Holy Heavenly Church, I cry to Thee, like Jonah, from the depths of the heart of the sea: lift me from my sins, I pray to Thee, Lord.

Having received the zeal of the Holy Spirit into your hearts, you hated the evil of your fathers, and having sought Christ the true God, you appeared as a child of light, and you rejoiced with the firstborn of the saints in Heaven.

You have appeared as a new disciple of Christ in Russia, going around towns and villages, crushing idols and teaching people to worship the one God, Whom you pray for for your singing.

O God-blessed Olgo, pray for your children to God: ask for unmoving peace for our fatherland and for us remission of sins, who always glorify you.

Theotokos: Having known by You the indescribable Word of God, the Only Begotten Son of the Almighty, we cry out to You, O earthly beings: Rejoice, blessed Mother of God, hope of our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Let us sing today to God, the Benefactor of all, who glorified Olga the God-Wise in Russia, and through her prayers may grant remission of sins to our souls.

Ikos

Seeing the life of Christians and understanding pagan obscenity, you declared within yourself, Olgo the God-Wise: Oh, the abyss of wisdom and goodness of all the Creator! How have you hidden from me until now? How can I honor idols from now on? No one, having tasted the sweet, will delight in the bitter, for this sake, even in old age, call me, Holy Trinity, and grant me remission of sins.

Song 7

Irmos: Having enslaved the flames of the cave, the pious youths, the more I have been showered, are ready to burn by nature, but more than by nature I will masculinely: blessed art thou, O Lord, on the Throne of Glory of Thy Kingdom.

Like Judith you did, you entered into the midst of the idol bodies, you crushed those leaders and you put the demon-worshippers to shame, and you taught all people to cry out to Christ in purity: blessed are you, O Lord, on the Throne of Glory of Your Kingdom.

We offer flowers of praise, like a royal crown, to your God-wise head in your memory, even as Christ has crowned us with incorruption, O venerable Olgo, praying for your flock, will be delivered from all evil crying: blessed art thou, O Lord, on the Throne of Glory of Thy Kingdom.

Shall we call Mount Lebanon thee? The dew of Heaven is upon you. Or the Pison River, the kindest sapphire, the honest stone, the property of Vladimir, through which the Russian land will be enlightened? But pray for us, crying out: blessed art thou, O Lord, on the Throne of Glory of Thy Kingdom.

Theotokos: The ark, gilded by the Spirit, we call You, who saved the world from the intelligent flood, Virgin, save us, for we hope in You and we resort to You, deliver those desperate in the abyss from sin and misfortune, crying out: blessed art thou, O Lord, on the Throne of Glory of Thy Kingdom.

Song 8

Irmos: The three strong youths, enveloping themselves in the power of the Holy Trinity, caught and defeated the Chaldeans, and their nature marvelously changed: how was fire turned into dew? Without tightness, I preserve you, like with swaddling clothes, O God who sheds wisdom in all Your deeds, We exalt You forever.

Strong, like a lioness, enveloped by the power of the Holy Spirit, she alone strives to tear idols everywhere, and it is marvelous in Heaven and on earth: how can a woman know God first, and by her was the fall of the whole race? By the same salvation now, we sing: O God who has shed wisdom in all Your deeds, We exalt You forever.

The wisdom of God previously wrote about you: Behold, you are my good and beautiful, and there is no vice in you. The shine of your face, like the sense of smell of peace, marks your baptism, Olgo, which, in the midst of idol flattery, Christ brought us all from the stench of demons to repentance by His mercy.

Remember me, Mrs. Olgo, your wretched servant, stolen from the enemy and who has sinned more than man, and pray to Christ to grant me forgiveness for all the sins I have committed insensibly, the accursed one, and cry out in repentance: O God who has shed wisdom in all your deeds, we exalt you in eyelids.

Theotokos: Do not despise, Virgin, Your servant's prayers, for we boast in You, We are Your little flock, striving for our intercession and taking us away from our enemies, showing mercy to the Mother of God who knows You and crying to Your Son: O God who sheds wisdom in all Your deeds, We extol You forever.

Song 9

Irmos: Our great-grandmothers came out of Eden for the sake of Eve, and were called by You, who gave birth to us a new Adam - Christ, into two natures, the Pure Virgin. Adam, the great-grandfather, jumped up, as if he had broken the first oaths, but we boast in You, as we know You for God’s sake, and we magnify You.

Rejoice, O ancestress, who deceived you and brought you out of Eden, but is now trampled underfoot by your offspring. Behold, Olga, the animal tree, the Cross of Christ, set up in Russia, to which paradise was opened to all the faithful, but we, boasting that we knew it for God’s sake, together with Vladimir, magnify this.

We call you a wife by nature, but you have moved beyond the strength of a woman. You have exhausted the darkness of your gold, and having acquired Christ’s law and teachers, you have enlightened the Russian land, but we boast of you, as we know you for God’s sake, and we magnify you as martyrs.

3 Law to the pure mentor and teacher of the faith of Christ, accept praise from unworthy servants and make a prayer for us to God, who honestly honor your memory, so that we will be freed from misfortunes, troubles, sorrows, and cruel sins, and also deliver us from the torment that awaits us. , we pray to you, who constantly magnify you.

Theotokos: Behold the Church, behold the door, behold the holy mountain of God, behold the rod and vessel of gold, behold the sealed fountain, behold the holy paradise of the new Adam, behold the terrible throne, behold the Most Pure Mother of God, Intercessor of all of us who sing Yu.

Svetilen

Enlightened by the light of God's grace, you kindled the lamp of true faith in your fatherland, Olgo the God-Wise One, and you gave the image to our father Vladimir, to whom we too were brought from the darkness of ignorance to the Light of Christ.

Kontakion 1

First-chosen from the entire Russian family, more glorious and equal to the apostles, let us praise the saint of God Olga, as at the dawn, in the darkness of idolatry, the light of faith rose and showed the way to Christ to all Russians. But you, who have boldness towards the Lord who has glorified you, protect us from all troubles with your prayers, so we call to you:

Ikos 1

Creator of angels and men, who has placed times and seasons in His power and governed the destinies of kingdoms and peoples according to His will, when you desire to enlighten the Russian race with Holy Baptism, then, seeing the good will of your heart, calling you first into the knowledge of Himself, so that you may be an image of all Russians and a teacher in the Christian faith. For this reason, we praise you:

Rejoice, morning star in the Russian sky, foreshadowed by the First-Called Apostle on the mountains of Kyiv;

Rejoice, dawn, shining brightly in the darkness of ignorance.

Rejoice, good vine of the grapes of Christ, from the pagan root of the wonder;

Rejoice, wonderful summer growth, not the great tree of orthodoxy on the earth of our age.

Rejoice, our first teacher and enlightener;

Rejoice, for by your knowledge we worship the Creator in the Trinity.

Rejoice, for for your sake the Most Holy Name of the Lord is glorified by all Russians;

Rejoice, for your glorious name, together with Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir, is praised throughout the world.

Rejoice, our Russian country is a spiritual treasure;

Rejoice, glorious adornment of the whole Church of Christ.

Rejoice, great kindness from the cities of Kyiv and Pskov;

Rejoice, good helper to our people against their enemies.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 2

Seeing you, Saint Olgo, like a weed of thorns: you were born into paganism, and you always had the law of God written in your heart, and you had chastity like the apple of your eye; We sing with gratitude to God, who is wondrous in His saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

With your mind, knowing all the good, you knew, God-wise Olgo, that idols, the hands of human creation, are not gods; Moreover, having rejected you, you tried to know the true God. For this reason, praising your prudence, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, good woman, who first of all knew the error of the Russians and understood the futility of idolatry;

Rejoice, you who diligently sought the true knowledge of God and the right faith.

Rejoice, you who do not yet know the true God, like Cornelius the centurion, who pleased Him with good deeds;

Rejoice, having lived righteously before understanding the law of God according to the law of conscience.

Rejoice, having done deeds befitting a Christian before accepting the Christian faith;

Rejoice, gifted with wisdom from God.

Rejoice, thou who bravely defended thy power from the invasion of the adversary;

Rejoice, you who created righteous judgments in the people subordinate to you.

Rejoice, honored with royal glory on earth and in Heaven;

Rejoice, for you, Equal to the Apostles, glorified by God.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 3

Moved by the power of God's grace, you, God-wise Olgo, strived to reach Constantinople, where you beheld the beauty of the church's splendor and listened to the teachings of the Divine words, and you were inflamed with all your heart in the love of Christ, crying out to Him in gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having a heart like a good land, you have comfortably accepted, Olgo, the seed of the holy faith, having come to know Christ the true God. In the same way, you received holy baptism from the hand of the Patriarch of Constantinople, who also predicted that from now on you will be blessed by the sons of Russia. If we want to fulfill this prophecy, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, thou who has left the darkness of idolatry;

Rejoice, you who have sought the light of knowledge of God.

Rejoice, you who escaped endless destruction by faith;

Rejoice, you who have acquired eternal life in Christ.

Rejoice, having been washed from the defilement of sin in the font of holy baptism;

Rejoice, spiritually born by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, intelligent turtledove, who flew away from the claws of the soul-destroying corvid;

Rejoice, you who flew under the wing of the Heavenly Eagle.

Rejoice, you who brought with you many souls to Christ through baptism;

Rejoice, for this reason you have received special reward from God.

Rejoice, with undoubted faith, illuminating the light that comes from your venerable relics;

Rejoice, you who give to the souls and bodies of those who benefit.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 4

Why do we not marvel at your prudence, Olgo, blessed, for you wisely rejected the proposal of the king of the Hellenes to marry him, deciding to him: not for the sake of marriage did I come, and not for the sake of reigning with you, but let me be dismayed by Baptism to the Immortal Bridegroom Christ God: Whom shall I love above all else? My soul and Him from now on will never cease to sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard from the patriarch who baptized you a parting word about purity, fasting, prayer and all the virtues befitting a Christian, you formed this in your heart to fulfill all the deeds you promised. Therefore, out of duty, we sing to you:

Rejoice, zealous hearer of the words of the Divine;

Rejoice, zealous doer of the Christian law.

Rejoice, having cleared the field of your heart from the thorns of soul-harming passions;

Rejoice, you who have watered you with tears of repentance.

Rejoice, for the seed of the word of God has taken root in your heart, for it has taken root in the good earth;

Rejoice, for this seed has vegetated and brought a hundredfold fruit of good deeds.

Rejoice, having immaculately preserved your widowhood purity;

Rejoice, having pleased God through abstinence and prayer.

Rejoice, having propitiated the Creator with alms;

Rejoice, you who provided the needs of the poor and needy.

Rejoice, you who foresaw the enlightenment of the Russian land with the light of Christ’s teaching.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 5

Having clothed yourself with the richly woven robe of holy baptism and the incorruptible food of the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, having been spiritually strengthened, O blessed One, you were not afraid of the desire of your unfaithful compatriots, our ancestors, to preach to them the One True God, to whom now all Russia, as one mouth, sings: Hallelu ia.

Ikos 5

Seeing, Saint Olgo, all the people of the Russian land immersed in the darkness of idolatry, you zealously tried to enlighten you with the light of Christ’s faith and create sons of the day and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven. Remembering your great care for them, we gratefully call to you:

Rejoice, wise ruler of the Russian people;

Rejoice, good teacher of the flock entrusted to you.

Rejoice, the first of Christians to imitate Queen Helena in Divine zeal;

Rejoice, and you who received your name in holy baptism.

Rejoice, you who brought the honorable cross of Christ and holy icons from Constantinople to the city of Kyiv;

Rejoice, you who brought priests and clergy with you to Russia.

Rejoice, who taught people with your wise words to leave the darkness of pagan wickedness and accept the light of Christian piety;

Rejoice, you who have enlightened many Russians with the light of the faith of Christ.

Rejoice, you who laid the foundation for the enlightenment of the entire Russian land;

Rejoice, you who have proclaimed the teachings of Christ through the preaching of the Russian cities.

Rejoice, first from the land of Russia to be considered a saint.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 6

As a spirit-bearing preacher, an Apostle, imitating the God-wise Olga, you went around the cities and towns of your powers, leading, very powerfully, people to the faith of Christ and teaching them to sing to the One glorified God in the Trinity: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Confirming in your state the beginnings of the Christian faith, you created temples of God in the city of Kyiv and in the country of your birth, at the Velitsa River near the city of Pskov. And so the Russians began to glorify Christ our God everywhere, and to you, their enlightener, sing praises:

Rejoice, for from the pure source of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church you received pure teaching;

Rejoice, for by this you have taught us to know the One true God.

Rejoice, destroyer of idolatry and idols;

Rejoice, creator of God's holy temples.

Rejoice, like the First-Called Apostle, who went around the Russian land preaching the Gospel;

Rejoice, you who preached the coming of Christ to the world to Veliky Novugrad and other Russian cities.

Rejoice, you who erected honorable crosses in the place of your preaching, from them many signs and wonders, assurances for the sake of the infidels, I became virgins by the power of God.

Rejoice, for through you the All-Good Lord has revealed His knowledge to the sons of Russia;

Rejoice, for through them you enlightened many other nations with the light of faith.

Rejoice, for from the root of your honor the Lord of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir showed us to eat;

Rejoice, for by the way of your life the holy Prince Vladimir was moved to accept the Christian faith.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 7

Wanting to save your son Svyatoslav from eternal destruction, you diligently exhorted him to abandon the veneration of idols and believe in the true God. But she did not heed your mother’s punishment and did not want to change her wickedness to piety. Moreover, as an infidel, I am alienated from eternal life and am not worthy to sing with you in the Heavenly Kingdom: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The Lord showed you a new sign of His favor, when, in the image of the Most Holy Trinity, three bright rays from heaven fell on the place of the oak forest, which not only you saw, but all the people there saw, and together with you you glorified the Triune God. We, leading the fulfillment of your prophecy about the creation in this place of the temple of the Life-Giving Trinity and the city, please you:

Rejoice, great servant of God, honored with the gift of prophecy.

Rejoice, spectator of the Trisienna of Heavenly Light;

Rejoice, the all-good will of God for the enlightenment of the Russian people, according to the Apostle Andrew, the first executor.

Rejoice, original founder of the city of Pskov;

Rejoice, intercessor and patroness of all Russian powers.

Rejoice, for by the will of God the Russian power has now spread from sea to sea;

Rejoice, for the whole city and its entirety have been adorned with many temples of God.

Rejoice, for in these churches the saints and priests offer the Bloodless Sacrifice for people to God;

Rejoice, for the hosts of monastics throughout the entire face of the Russian land unanimously sing the praises of the Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, for the inhabitants of the city of Kyiv and Pskov exalt and please you;

Rejoice, for all Orthodox Russians have revered and glorified you since ancient times.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 8

Ending your earthly journey, you prayed to the warmth of the Lord, O blessed Olgo, that He would not leave the Russian land after your repose in the darkness of ignorance, but may He enlighten you with the light of the holy faith and may all the sons of Russia teach you to chant: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Having been completely embraced by the grace of God, praiseworthy Olgo, you saw with your thoughts the enlightenment of all your people and prophetically predicted that many great saints of God, like bright stars, will shine in the lands of Russia, which will come true by the will and grace of the almighty God. For this reason, out of duty, we sing to you:

Rejoice, our spiritual mother, who asked God for enlightenment by our forefathers;

Rejoice, for the All-Good Lord, in vain the kindness of your soul, for your sake all the Russian people love.

Rejoice, for you have found Christ a worthy vessel, through whom He began to pour out His grace to the Russian land;

Rejoice, for you have prepared your people to receive the faith and grace of Christ.

Rejoice, for thou shrewdly foresaw the greatness and glory of thy power;

Rejoice, for you rejoiced at the piety you foresaw for the sons of Russia.

Rejoice, for according to your prophecy, many holy things have arisen from our generation;

Rejoice, home of the Life-Giving Trinity, organizer.

Rejoice, interceding us with your prayers in sorrows and misfortunes;

Rejoice, you who preserve our Fatherland in evil circumstances and deliver us from enemies.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 9

Having been filled with all sorts of virtues, Blessed Olgo, with prayer in her mouth, you gave up your spirit in the hand of God, who placed you in the heavenly abodes and was the first among the Russians to be numbered among His Equal-to-the-Apostles. In the same way, ask us from the Lord for a peaceful Christian death, so that we may give up our souls in the hands of Christ our God, singing a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The stories of many things cannot adequately praise you, Olgo the God-wise: how you, having been taught and admonished by no one from man, have known the vanity of idolatry, you have sought the right faith and, like Equal-to-the-Apostles Helen, you have found the priceless beads, Christ, enjoying the sight of Him in Heaven Now, do not forget us, darkened by the charms of this world and forgetting about the eternal blessings, yes, we are guided by you on the right path, we cry to you joyfully:

Rejoice, having prepared for yourself the habitation of Divine grace through your good deeds and right will of mind and heart;

Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit Himself was your teacher, leading you to know Christ the Son of God.

Rejoice, you who saw no signs or wonders and believed in Christ;

Rejoice, because of your faith you have put to shame many persecutors and tormentors, who saw signs and wonders and did not believe.

Rejoice, having given yourself over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, you who have shown perfect submission to the will of God.

Rejoice, you who appeared obedient to the voice of grace that called you;

Rejoice, you who have labored since the eleventh hour in the city of the Lord and received compensation with the first.

Rejoice, for the Lord has made you wise to combine royal honor, wealth and glory with Christian humility;

Rejoice, for in this way you have clearly shown us that earthly blessings are not an obstacle for God-loving souls to achieve Heavenly blessings.

Rejoice, glorified by the kindness of chastity and the lightness of understanding;

Rejoice, having received the gift from God through the strength of faith and the chaste purity of life of your prophecy.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 10

Arranging the path of salvation for your Russian son and fulfilling your dying request, the All-Good Lord will grow in your grandson Vladimir the seed of faith you have sown and through him enlighten the entire Russian land with Holy Baptism. Therefore, we glorify you, blessed Olgo, as the first culprit of our enlightenment with the light of the holy faith, and we tenderly sing to Christ our Savior: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Having received Holy Baptism, your grandson Vladimir, trying to remove from the earth your incorruptible relics, filled with a wonderful fragrance, and with Saint Leonty and all the multitude of people, I placed the Most Pure Mother of God in the church, and from there I began to exude healing from them with every ailment that comes with faith. For this reason, we praise you:

Rejoice, for the grace of the Holy Spirit has entered into you, bestowing incorruptibility with your might and creating in your relics a source of healing for all ailments;

Rejoice, I did not allow those who came to see them with little faith.

Rejoice, having brought joy to the infant Russian Church by the appearance of your relics;

Rejoice, you have greatly pleased your grandson Vladimir with the glorification of them.

Rejoice, for even to this day the pious people of the Russian lands delight in your glorious memory;

Rejoice, for through your faithful petition to God the Russians have been granted many blessings from the Lord.

Rejoice, having begged God with your prayers for the enlightenment of the Russian land;

Rejoice, you who prophesied that many great saints will soon appear on the Russian lands.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 11

We offer a song of tenderness to you, the saint of God, and we humbly pray to you: pray for us, the One Lover of Mankind, God, that He may not turn His face away from us, unworthy, constantly sinning and grieving His goodness, but may He punish us here, as the Father who loves His children, may, in in the future, may he save and have mercy, as the righteous Judge and Rewarder, so that, having been delivered from eternal torment, we will be honored with you in the heavenly abodes to sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Illuminated by a tri-radiant light, you now stand with all the saints in Heaven at the Throne of the King of Reigns, Olgo the All-Blessed, and from there, like a luminous luminary, you enlighten the entire Russian country, dispelling the darkness of delusion and showing the path to true enlightenment to Heavenly bliss. For this reason, glorifying you, we say:

Rejoice, moon-illumined from the never-setting Sun of Truth;

Rejoice, guide, showing us the right path to eternal salvation.

Rejoice, powerful helper and strengthener of preachers of the Orthodox faith;

Rejoice, patroness of good mentors of youth and all those who work well for the common good.

Rejoice, teacher and patroness of the legislators of the Russian country;

Rejoice, wise and kind giver of advice, rulers and rulers of this country.

Rejoice, sedition and strife consumer;

Rejoice, intercessor of all those offended and unjustly persecuted.

Rejoice, quick consoler of the sorrowful;

Rejoice, merciful healer of the sick.

Rejoice, you who give our people help through your prayers from God;

Rejoice, representative and intercessor of all Russian countries.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olgo, God-wise.

Kontakion 12

Ask for the grace of the Most Holy Spirit for us, our mentor, from the All-Generous God and our Savior, admonishing and strengthening us in the work of salvation, so that the seed of the holy faith planted in us by you will not be fruitless, but may it vegetate and create fruit, which would enable us to nourish our souls in the future eternal life, where all the saints sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your many and glorious good deeds, revealed to the Russian country in the enlightenment of that light of the faith of Christ, we offer thanksgiving, calling with love:

Rejoice, God-chosen and God-glorified autocrat of the Russian land, her indestructible fence, protection and protection.

Rejoice, to the Russian virgins the image of a chaste life;

Rejoice, mother, teacher of lawful marriage and good upbringing of children.

Rejoice, rule for widows to live a life pleasing to God;

Rejoice, teacher and image of all virtues to all Russians.

Rejoice, co-participant in Heaven of the lot of preachers of the faith of Christ;

Rejoice, partaker of the eternal bliss of the righteous.

Rejoice, warm prayer book for us before God;

Rejoice, zealous intercessor for our salvation.

Rejoice, at the hour of our death, intercessor for us to God;

Rejoice, you who provide help and consolation to this body after our departure from this mortal body.

Rejoice, holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, God-wise.

Kontakion 13

O holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, graciously accept from us this laudatory thanksgiving for all that the Lord has given to us, our father and forefather and the entire Russian state, through you, and pray to the All-Good God to increase His mercy on us and on the generations of our generations, to establish us in orthodoxy and piety, keep us from all misfortunes, troubles and evils, so that with you, like children of matter, we may be worthy to sing to God forever: Alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Creator of Angels and Men...” and the 1st kontakion “First Chosen of All...”.

Prayer 1

O holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olgo, first saint of Russia, 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 temporary 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 even 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 the needy, stand up for those who are offended and shepherded, those who have gone astray from the right faith and are blinded by heresies, and ask us from the All-Bountiful God for all that is good and useful in temporal and eternal life, so that having lived here well, 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 2

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 you 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 All-Russian Fatherland, the army and 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 extremely 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 may understand the ways of the Lord, leave the paths of wickedness and error, and pursue the paths of salvation and truth, the unwavering fulfillment of the commandments of God and the Holy Orders of the Church. Pray, blessed Olgo, to the Lord who loves mankind, may He 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 blessing of the air and the fruitfulness of the earth, and will preserve our country from all the intrigues and slander of the enemy, may he preserve truth and mercy in judges and rulers, may he give zeal to the shepherds for the salvation of his flock, and may all people have haste to diligently perform their services, have love among themselves and have like-mindedness, for the good of the fatherland and let the Holy Church strive faithfully, so that the light of the saving faith may shine in our country at all ends of it, so that non-believers may turn to the faith, so that all heresies and schisms will be abolished. Yes, having lived in peace on earth, you and I will be worthy of eternal bliss in Heaven, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.

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History knows many cases when women became heads of states and made them strong and prosperous. One of these rulers was Olga, Princess of Kiev. Little is known about her life, however, from what we managed to learn about her, one can understand how wise and prudent this woman was. Historians say Olga’s main merit is that during her reign, Kievan Rus became one of the strongest states of its time.

Date and place of birth of Olga

It is not known exactly when Princess Olga of Kiev was born. Her biography has survived to this day only in fragments. Historians suggest that the future princess was born around 890, since the Degree Book mentions that she died at the age of 80, and the date of her death is known - it is 969. Ancient chronicles name different places of her birth. According to one version, she was from near Pskov, according to another, from Izborsk.

Versions about the origin of the future princess

There is a legend according to which Olga was born into a simple family, and from an early age she worked as a carrier on the river. It was there that Prince Igor of Kiev met her when he was hunting in the Pskov lands. He needed to cross to the other side, and he asked a young man in a boat to transport him. Taking a closer look, Igor noticed that in front of him was not a young man, but a beautiful, fragile girl, dressed in men's clothing. That was Olga. The prince really liked her and began to pester her, but received a fitting rebuff. Time passed, the time came for Igor to get married, and he remembered the proud Pskov beauty and found her.

There is a legend that completely contradicts the previous one. It says that Grand Duchess Olga of Kiev came from a noble northern family, and her grandfather was the famous Slavic prince Gostomysl. Ancient sources mention that in the early years the future ruler of Rus' bore the name Beautiful, and began to be called Olga only after her wedding with Igor. She received this name in honor of Prince Oleg, who raised her husband.

Olga's life after her wedding with Igor

Olga, Princess of Kiev, married Igor as a very young girl. A short biography, which has survived to this day thanks to the Tale of Bygone Years, states that the date of her marriage is 903. At first, the couple lived separately: Olga ruled Vyshgorod, and her husband ruled Kiev. Besides her, Igor had several more wives. The couple had a common child only in 942. This is Svyatoslav, the future prince of Kievan Rus, famous for his successful military campaigns.

The princess's terrible revenge

In 945, Igor went to the Drevlyan lands located next to Kyiv for tribute and was killed there. His son Svyatoslav was only 3 years old at that time, and he could not rule the state, so Princess Olga took the throne. Kievan Rus came completely under her control. The Drevlyans, who killed Igor, decided that they were no longer obliged to pay tribute to the capital. Moreover, they wanted to marry their prince Mal to Olga and thus take possession of the Kyiv throne. But it was not there. The cunning Olga lured the ambassadors, whom the Drevlyans sent to her as matchmakers, into a pit and ordered them to be buried alive. The princess turned out to be merciless towards the following Drevlyan visitors. Olga invited them to the bathhouse, ordered the servants to set it on fire and burn the guests alive. So terrible was the princess’s revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband.

But Olga did not calm down on this. She went to the Drevlyan lands to celebrate a funeral ritual at Igor’s grave. The princess took a small squad with her. Having invited the Drevlyans to the funeral feast, she gave them drink and then ordered them to be chopped up with swords. Nestor the lithographer in The Tale of Bygone Years indicated that Olga’s warriors then destroyed about 5 thousand people.

However, even the murder of so many Drevlyans seemed to the Kyiv princess to be insufficient revenge, and she decided to destroy their capital - Iskorosten. In 946, Olga, together with her young son Svyatoslav and her squad, began a military campaign against enemy lands. Having surrounded the walls of Iskorosten, the princess ordered 3 sparrows and 3 doves to be brought to her from each yard. The residents followed her order, hoping that after this she and the army would leave their city. Olga ordered smoldering dry grass to be tied to the paws of the birds and released back to Iskorosten. Pigeons and sparrows flew to their nests, and the city burst into flames. Only after the capital of the Drevlyan principality was destroyed and its inhabitants were killed or enslaved did Princess Olga calm down. Her revenge turned out to be cruel, but in those days it was considered the norm.

Domestic and foreign policy

If we characterize Olga as the ruler of Rus', then, of course, she surpassed her husband in matters relating to the internal politics of the state. The princess managed to subjugate the rebellious East Slavic tribes to her power. All lands dependent on Kyiv were divided into administrative units, at the head of which tiuns (governors) were appointed. She also carried out a tax reform, as a result of which the size of polyudya was established, and graveyards were organized to collect it. Olga began stone urban development on Russian lands. Under her rule, a city palace and a princely suburban tower were erected in Kyiv.

In foreign policy, Olga set a course for rapprochement with Byzantium. But at the same time, the princess sought to ensure that her lands remained independent of this great empire. The rapprochement of the two states led to the fact that Russian troops repeatedly took part in the wars waged by Byzantium.

Olga's adoption of Christianity

The population of Ancient Rus' professed a pagan faith, worshiping a large number of deities. The first ruler who contributed to the spread of Christianity in the East Slavic lands was Olga. The Princess of Kiev received him approximately in 955 during her diplomatic visit to Byzantium.
Nestor the lithographer describes Olga’s baptism in his “Tale of Bygone Years.” The Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus really liked the princess, and he wanted to marry her. However, Olga answered him that a Christian cannot become related to a pagan, and first he must convert her into a new faith, thus becoming her godfather. The Emperor did everything as she wanted. After the baptism ceremony, Olga received a new name - Elena. Having fulfilled the princess’s request, the emperor again asked her to become his wife. But this time the princess did not agree, citing the fact that after baptism, Konstantin became her father, and she became his daughter. The Byzantine ruler then realized that Olga had outwitted him, but he could not do anything.

Returning home, the princess began to make attempts to spread Christianity in the lands under her control. Olga’s contemporaries mentioned this in ancient chronicles. The Princess of Kiev even tried to convert her son Svyatoslav to Christianity, but he refused, believing that his warriors would laugh at him. Under Olga, Christianity in Rus' did not gain much popularity, since the Slavic tribes, who professed the pagan faith, strongly opposed baptism.

The last years of the princess's life

The adoption of Christianity changed Olga for the better. She forgot about cruelty and became kinder and more merciful to others. The princess spent a lot of time in prayer for Svyatoslav and other people. She was the ruler of Rus' until approximately 959, since her grown son was constantly on military campaigns and had no time to deal with state affairs. Svyatoslav finally succeeded his mother on the throne in 964. The princess died on July 11, 969. Her remains rest in the Tithe Church. Olga was later canonized as an Orthodox saint.

Memory of Olga

It is unknown what Olga, Princess of Kiev, looked like. Photos of portraits of this great woman and the legends about her testify to her extraordinary beauty, which captivated many of her contemporaries. During her years in power, Olga managed to strengthen and elevate Kievan Rus, and make sure that other states took it into account. The memory of Prince Igor’s faithful wife is forever immortalized in paintings, literary works and films. Olga went down in world history as a wise and intelligent ruler who made a lot of efforts to achieve the greatness of her power.

Princess Olga was the very first ruler to convert to Christianity. Moreover, this happened even before the baptism of Rus'. She ruled the state out of hopelessness, since her husband, Prince Igor, was killed, and his heir, their son Svyatoslav, was still too young to rule. She ruled from 945 to 962.

After the murder of Prince Oleg, the Drevlyan prince Mal really wanted to take his place. His plans were to marry Princess Olga and conquer Kievan Rus. He sent her a bunch of gifts and decorations through his ambassadors. Olga was very smart and cunning. She ordered the first ambassadors of Mal, who arrived on a boat, to be carried along with the boat over the abyss; the ambassadors were thrown into the abyss and they were buried alive.

Olga burned the second batch of ambassadors in the bathhouse. Then she herself went to the prince of the Drevlyans, ostensibly to get married, on that day more than 5,000 Drevlyans were given water and killed.

Reign of Princess Olga.

Activities of Princess Olga.

Olga was inspired by the thought that she needed to take revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband. She was getting ready for a military campaign. It was 946. The siege of the Drevlyans lasted almost the entire summer. In this case, Olga showed the strength of mighty Rus'. After the siege, she sent a message that they were retreating, but asking the residents to give them a dove and three sparrows from each Drevlyan. Light tinder was then tied to the birds and released. So the city of Iskorosten was completely burned.

Domestic policy and reforms of Princess Olga.

Olga systematized the collection of taxes from the population. She organized special places for collecting tribute, which were called graveyards. The princess was actively involved in urban planning and beautification of the territory. All lands that were in the power of the princess were divided by her into administrative units. Each unit was assigned its own manager - tiun.

Foreign policy of Princess Olga.

Since Olga was still a woman, she rarely went on hikes. She developed the trade with her intelligence and ingenuity. Olga was a supporter of peaceful resolution of conflicts that arose. Scandinavians and Germans went to work as hired workers in the Russian troops.

Lives of Saints 07/24/2018

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, baptized Helena (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 accepted 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 state life and culture of Kievan Rus. After her death, ordinary people called her cunning, the church - holy, history - wise.

Basic 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 Volodymer” and the work of Constantine Porphyrogenitus “On the Ceremonies of the Byzantine Court”. Other sources provide additional information about Olga, but their reliability cannot be determined with certainty.

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, into a pagan family from the dynasty of the Izborsky princes. Disputes about Olga's exact date of birth are still ongoing.- some historians insist on the date of about 890, others - on the date of 920 (although this date is absurd due to the fact that Olga married Igor under the 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. One day, when he was hunting in the Pskov forests, tracking down an animal, he went out to the river bank. Deciding to cross the river, he asked Olga, who was passing by on a boat, to transport him, at first mistaking her for a young man. As they swam, Igor, carefully peering into the rower’s face, saw that it was not a young man, but a girl. The girl turned out to be very beautiful, smart and pure in intentions. Olga's beauty stung Igor's heart, and he began to seduce her with words, inclining her to unclean carnal mixing. However, the chaste girl, having understood the thoughts of Igor, fueled by lust, shamed him with a wise admonition. The prince was surprised at such an outstanding intelligence and chastity of the 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 wise ruler. The people called him the Prophetic. He conquered the city of Kyiv and united many Slavic tribes around him. Oleg loved Igor as his own son and raised him to be a real warrior. And when the time came to look for a bride for him, a show of beautiful girls was organized in Kyiv in order to find among them a girl worthy of a princely palace, but none of them
the prince did not like it. For in his heart the choice of a bride had long been made: he ordered to call that beautiful boatwoman who carried him across the river. Prince Oleg with great honor he brought Olga to Kyiv, and Igor married her. Having married the young prince to Olga, the aging Oleg began diligently making sacrifices to the gods so that they would give Igor an heir. Over the course of nine long years, Oleg made many bloody sacrifices to idols, burned so many people and bulls alive, and waited for the Slavic gods to give Igor a son. Not wait. He died in 912 from the bite of a snake 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, what will Igor do according to human custom and take another wife, a third? He'll start a harem. Who will she be then? And then the princess decided to pray to the Christian God. And Olga began to fervently ask Him at night for a son-heir.

And so in 942,in the twenty-fourth year of their marriage, Prince Igor had an heir - Svyatoslav! The prince overwhelmed Olga with gifts. She took the most expensive ones to the Church of Elijah - for the Christian God. Happy years have passed. Olga began to think about the Christian faith and about its benefits for the country. Only Igor did not share such thoughts: his gods never betrayed him in battle.

According to the chronicle, in 945, Prince Igor dies at the hands of the Drevlyans after repeatedly exacting tribute from them (he became the first ruler in Russian history to die from popular indignation). Igor Rurikovich was executed, in the tract, with the help of an honorary “unlock”. They bent over two young, flexible oak trees, tied them by the arms and legs, and let them go...

F.Bruni. Igor's execution

The heir to the throne, Svyatoslav, was only 3 years old at that time, so Olga became the de facto 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 invite 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 in The Tale of Bygone Years.

Princess Olga's Revenge

After the reprisal against 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 most of the time on military campaigns.

Princess Olga's foreign policy was carried out not through military methods, but through diplomacy. She strengthened international ties with Germany and Byzantium. Relations with Greece revealed to Olga how superior the Christian faith is to the pagan one.

In 954, Princess Olga, for the purpose of a religious pilgrimage and a diplomatic mission, went to Constantinople (Constantinople), where she was received with honor by Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. For two whole years she became acquainted with the fundamentals of the Christian faith, attending services in the St. Sophia Cathedral. She was struck by the grandeur of Christian churches and the shrines collected in them.

The sacrament of baptism was performed over her by the Patriarch of Constantinople Theophylact, and the emperor himself became the recipient. The name of the Russian princess was given in honor of the holy Queen Helena, who found the Cross of the Lord. The Patriarch blessed the newly baptized princess with a cross carved from a single piece of the Life-Giving Tree of the Lord with the inscription: “The Russian land was renewed with the Holy Cross, Olga, the blessed princess, accepted it.”

Princess Olga became the first ruler of Rus' to be baptized, although both the squad and the Russian people under it were pagan. Olga’s son, the Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatoslav Igorevich, also remained in paganism.

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 it, 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 returning 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 Kiev Christian prince Askold and St. Sophia in Kiev over the grave of Prince Dir, the Church of the Annunciation in Vitebsk, the temple in the name of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity in Pskov, place for which, according to the chronicler, it was indicated to her from above by the “Ray of the Tri-radiant Deity” - on the bank of the Velikaya River she saw “three bright rays” descending from the sky.

Holy Princess Olga died in 969, at the age of 80. and was buried in the ground according to Christian rites.

Sergey Efoshkin. Duchess Olga. Dormition

Her incorruptible relics rested in the Tithe Church in Kyiv. Her grandson Prince Vladimir I Svyatoslavich, Baptist of Rus', transferred (in 1007) the relics of saints, including Olga, to the church he founded Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kyiv (Tithe Church). More likely, During 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 Saint Equal to the Apostles. Only 5 other holy women in Christian history have received such an honor (Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Thekla, Martyr Apphia, Queen Helen Equal to the Apostles and Nina, the enlightener of Georgia).

Princess Olga was the first of the Russian princes to officially convert to Christianity and was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church back in the pre-Mongol 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 into domestic politics, so for many years the people retained a good memory of her: the princess carried out an administrative and tax reform, which eased the situation of ordinary people and streamlined life in the state.

Holy Princess Olga is revered as the patroness of widows and Christian converts. Residents of Pskov consider Olga its founder. In Pskov there is Olginskaya embankment, Olginsky bridge, Olginsky chapel. The days of the liberation of the city from fascist invaders (July 23, 1944) and the memory of St. Olga are celebrated in Pskov as City Days.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

On the ninth of September, on Wednesday, a reception was held, similar in all respects to those described above, on the occasion of the arrival of the Russian Princess Olga. The princess entered with her relatives, the princesses and the most chosen servants, and she walked in front of all the other women, and they followed in order one after another; she stopped at the place where the logothete usually asked questions... When the king entered the palace in the usual manner, the second reception took place as follows. In the triclinium of Justinian, a dais was placed, covered with crimson silk fabrics, and on it was placed the large throne of King Theophilus and on the side the royal golden chair. Two silver organs of two parts (= dims) were placed below behind two curtains, wind instruments were placed outside the curtains. The princess, invited from Augusteum, passed through the apse, hippodrome and internal passages of the same Augusteum and, entering, sat down in Skili. The Empress sat on the aforementioned throne, and her daughter-in-law on the chair. The whole edicule entered and the ranks were introduced by the prepositum and ostiaries... When the king sat down with Augusta and his purplish-born children, the princess was invited from the triclinium of kenurgy and, sitting down at the invitation of the king, told him what she wanted.

On the same day, a dinner party took place in the same Triclinium of Justinian. The Empress and her daughter-in-law sat on the above-mentioned throne, and the princess stood to the side... The dinner was attended by singers from the churches of St. apostles and saints Sophia and sang the royal praises. There were also all sorts of stage performances... After the king got up from the table, dessert was served in the aristitiria, where a small golden table was placed, standing (usually) in the pectapyrgy, and dessert was placed on it on dishes decorated with enamel and expensive stones . And the king, Tsar Roman Porphyrogenitus, their purple-born children, the daughter-in-law and the princess sat down, and the princess was given 500 mil. on a golden platter with expensive stones, and 20 mil. each to her six close women. and 18 maids 8 mil each.

On Sunday, October 18th, a dinner party took place in the Golden Chamber, and the Tsar sat down with the Russians, and again another dinner was given in the pentacuvuclia of St. Paul, and the empress sat down with her scarlet-born children, her daughter-in-law and the princess...

VIOLATION OF RITUAL

At first, the audience took place as was usually customary for foreign rulers or ambassadors of large states. The Emperor, sitting on a throne in the luxurious Magnavre Hall, exchanged ceremonial greetings with Olga through the logothete. Next to the emperor was the entire court. The atmosphere was extremely solemn and pompous.

On the same day, another traditional celebration for receiving distinguished guests took place - lunch... But along with this, there were also deviations from accepted traditions, violations of the unshakable Byzantine diplomatic ritual were identified, which were absolutely incredible, especially under Constantine VII - their zealous guardian.

At the beginning of the audience, after the courtiers had taken their places and the emperor had sat on the “throne of Solomon,” the curtain separating the Russian princess from the hall was pulled back, and Olga, ahead of her retinue, moved towards the emperor. In these cases, usually the foreign representative was brought to the trail by two eunuchs, who supported the person who was suitable. Then the foreign ruler or ambassador performed praskipesps - he fell prostrate at the imperial feet. During the reception of the Kyiv princess, this order was changed. Olga alone, unaccompanied, approached the throne, did not prostrate herself before the emperor, as her retinue did, but remained standing and talked with Constantine VII while standing.

Then Olga was received separately by the Empress, whom the Russian princess greeted with only a slight bow of her head.

“THE TALE OF BYE YEARS” ABOUT OLGA’S BAPTISM

Olga went to the Greek land and came to Constantinople. There was then Tsar Constantine, son of Leo. And seeing that she was beautiful in face and very intelligent, the Tsar marveled at her intelligence, talking with her, and said to her: “You are worthy to reign with us in this city.” She, having thought it over, answered the Caesar: “I am a pagan; If you want to baptize me, then baptize me yourself - otherwise I won’t be baptized.” And the Tsar and the Patriarch baptized her. [...] And she was given the name Elena in baptism, just like the ancient queen - the mother of Constantine the Great. And the patriarch blessed her and released her. After baptism, the Tsar called her and told her: “I want to take you as my wife.” She answered: “How do you want to take me when you yourself baptized me and called me daughter? But Christians are not allowed to do this - you know it yourself.” And the Tsar said to her: “You have outwitted me, Olga.” And he presented her with numerous gifts - gold, and silver, and grass, and various vessels, and sent her away, calling her his daughter. She, getting ready to go home, came to the patriarch and asked him to bless the house, and said to him: “My people and my son are pagans, may God protect me from all evil.” And the patriarch said: “Faithful child! You were baptized into Christ, and you put on Christ, and Christ will save you... He will deliver you from the snares of the devil and from his snares.” And the patriarch blessed her, and she went in peace to her land and came to Kyiv.

OLGA’S BAPTISM AND THE BEGINNING OF THE CHRISTIANIZATION OF Rus'

Byzantium's hopes for the imminent baptism of Rus' were not justified. The adoption of Christianity turned out to be a long and difficult matter for the Russians. Prince Igor soon died. His widow Olga decided to change her faith only many years after her husband’s death. The author of The Tale of Bygone Years recorded the legend that Olga was baptized by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus in Constantinople in 955. However, the chronicle story is permeated with folklore motifs. If you believe the chronicle, the middle-aged Olga made such a strong impression on the emperor that he offered to marry her as his wife. Wise Olga answered: “How do you want to drink me, having baptized me yourself and called me daughter?” Having refused the “groom”, the Russian princess “switched” the tsar himself.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus mentioned the reception of "Archontes Elga". But he did not know the Christian name of Elena-Elga, and therefore, the princess remained a pagan during her meeting with him in 957. The composition of the Russian retinue suggests that Olga paid a visit to the emperor as a private person. In her circle there were no ambassadors from the heir Svyatoslav, Igor’s nephews and from King Sveneld. The “slavs” from Olga’s retinue received the same amount of money as her translators, which accurately reflected their position on the hierarchical ladder.

The German certificate of Olga's baptism has been preserved - the so-called Continuation of the Chronicle of the Region. The chronicle was compiled in the middle of the 10th century. The author of the Continuation is believed to have been the first Kiev bishop Adalbert. All this gives the monument exceptional value. As a German chronicler recorded, in 959, “ambassadors of Helen, queen of the Rugs (Rus), who was baptized in Constantinople under Roman Emperor of Constantinople, came to the court of the German Emperor Otto I.” The ambassadors “asked that a bishop and priests be appointed for their people.” So, Olga-Elena was baptized not under Constantine Porphyrogenitus, but under his son Roman, who ascended the throne after the death of his father in November 959. The chronology of events described in the German chronicle raises doubts. Olga would not have had time to send ambassadors to Germany within less than two months after her baptism. The delay of Otto I is inexplicable. Having listened to the ambassadors at the end of 959, the emperor granted their request and appointed a bishop to Kyiv only a year later, on Christmas 960. Apparently, the chronicler inaccurately recorded the date of the ambassadors’ arrival. German annals of the 11th century, a source of independent origin, preserved the following entry: “960. Ambassadors from the people of Rus' came to King Otto.” The above text confirms the assumption that the Russian mission came to Germany not in 959, but in 960, and by the end of the year Otto announced the appointment of a bishop.

The Russian princess did exactly the same thing as the Bulgarian Tsar Boris had done before. Having received baptism from the Greek Orthodox patriarch, she immediately invited a Latin shepherd. The German bishop, who was supposed to go to Kyiv, died suddenly on February 15, 961, and the rank of bishop of Rus' was transferred to the monk Adalbert. He left for Kyiv in 961, and a year later returned home with nothing. An attempt to establish a bishopric in Kyiv failed due to the resistance of the pagan Norman nobility, who ruled the country after the death of Igor. This fact alone destroys the myth of Olga as the ruler of Rus'. However, one should not think that the princess’s efforts to introduce Christianity in Rus' did not yield any results. Already during the first trip of the pagan Elga to Constantinople, “Prest Gregory” was in her retinue. This means that people from Olga’s inner circle changed their faith before her. In 967, Pope John XII forbade the appointment to the newly established department in Prague of persons belonging to “a rite or sect of the Bulgarian or Russian people, or the Slavic language.” Probably the largest Christian community of Rus was in Constantinople, and the Pope was afraid of sending a bishop from Byzantium to the Czech Republic. In Constantinople, the “baptized Rus” were engaged in various activities: traded, served in the imperial palace guard, etc. Relations between Kyiv and Constantinople Christians of Russian origin contributed to the Christianization of the Kyiv Rus.

Olga's influence on management affairs was apparently limited. In the year of Igor’s death, Prince Svyatoslav turned no less than 8-10 years old. Taking revenge on the Drevlyans for his father, Svyatoslav began the battle by throwing a heavy spear at them. The spear fell at the feet of the horse on which the boy was sitting. By the time the bishop arrived in Kyiv, Svyatoslav was more than 20 years old. He has reached adulthood. According to the chronicle, Olga-Elena repeatedly asked her son to change his faith, but he invariably refused her, citing the opinion of the squad. The young prince could not renounce paganism while the squad and its leaders adhered to the old religion. Two decades later, according to the chronicle legend, Olga’s grandson Vladimir ended a conversation about faith with the German ambassadors with a reminder of his grandmother’s times: “Go again, because our fathers did not accept the essence of this.” Vladimir spoke on behalf of the entire squad. The expression “our fathers” had a very definite meaning in his mouth. Bishop Adalbert was expelled from Kyiv by his entire squad. According to the Novgorod chronicle, the Kiev princess kept a “prezbyter” in her house secret from the people. The presbyter was probably Adalbert himself or one of the Latin priests who arrived with him.
Skrynnikov R.G. Old Russian state

FROM THE LIFE OF THE HOLY GRAND DUCHESS OLGA

...And therefore, after baptism, I lived 15 years and pleased God, and in peace gave up my holy and honest soul in the hands of Christ God in the summer of 6477, the month of July on the 11th day. And therefore, much time has passed since the repose of the saint, and her grandson, the blessed Prince Vladimer, remembered the relics of his holy woman, and came to the place himself with the metropolitan and with the entire sacred cathedral and with the name, and excavated the earth, and collected This is the honest relics of the holy woman His princess Olga remains safe and indestructible. They glorified God, and took up the relics, and placed the Holy Mother of God in the church, in a small stone coffin; and on the top of that coffin you created an honest window: and there you can see the blessed body lying intact and unaffected by decay, but shining like the sun. And whoever comes with faith to the saint’s tomb: and the window, like the one on the saint’s tomb, will open on its own, and they will see an honest body and many will receive healing in abundance...