The name is Princess Olga. Grand Duchess Olga

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 greatest events the foundation of the first dynasty, with the first establishment of Christianity in Rus' and bright features Western civilization. Grand Duchess went down in history as a great creator state life and culture of Kievan Rus. After her death, ordinary people called her cunning, the church - holy, history - wise.

Grand Duchess Olga (c. 890 - July 11, 969) was the wife of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Igor.

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 report additional information about Olga, but their reliability cannot be accurately determined.

Olga came from glorious family Gostomysl (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 exact date Olga's birth is still ongoing - some historians insist on the date of c. 890, others - on the date of 920 (although this date is absurd due to the fact that Olga married Igor at 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. Having decided 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 Prince of Novgorod 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. People called him Prophetic. He conquered the city of Kyiv and united many Slavic tribes. 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 OlegHe began to diligently make 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. Didn't 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 ,twenty-fourth year life together, an heir was born to Prince Igor - 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 took cruel 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 massacre of the Drevlyans, Olga began to rule Kievan Rus until Svyatoslav came of age, but even after that she remained the de facto ruler, since her son most of was away on military campaigns for a while.

Princess Olga's foreign policy was carried out not through military methods, but through diplomacy. She strengthened international relations 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 religious pilgrimage and 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, and 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 also remained in paganism, Grand Duke Kyiv Svyatoslav Igorevich.

Upon returning to Kyiv, Olga tried to introduce Svyatoslav to Christianity, but “he did not even think of listening to this; but if someone was going to be baptized, he did not forbid 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 brought the Christian gospel to the pagans, began to erect the first Christian churches: in the name of St. Nicholas over the grave of the first Kyiv Christian prince Askold and St. Sophia in Kyiv over the grave of Prince Dir, the Church of the Annunciation in Vitebsk, the temple in the name of St. Life-Giving Trinity in Pskov, the place for which, according to the chronicler, was indicated to her from above by the “Ray of the Tri-radiant Deity” - on the 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. Princess 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 Assumption Holy Mother of God 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 have received this honor. Christian history(Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Thekla, Martyr Apphia, Queen Helen Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia Nina).

Memory Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga celebrated by Orthodox and Catholic and other Western churches.

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 great influence to her grandson Vladimir, who continued her work. She didn't drive wars of conquest, but directed all her energy to domestic politics, so for a long time the people retained a good memory of her: the princess carried out an administrative and tax reform, which eased the situation ordinary people and 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. Days of liberation of the city from fascist invaders(July 23, 1944) and the memory of Saint Olga are celebrated in Pskov as City Days.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

for the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

Troparion of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, tone 8
In you, God-wise Elena, the image of salvation was known in the Russian country, / as if, having received the bath of holy Baptism, you followed Christ, / creating and teaching, to leave idolatry’s charms, / to take care of souls, things more immortal, / also with the Angels, Equal-to-the-Apostles, your spirit rejoices.

Kontakion of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, tone 4
The grace of all God has appeared today, / having glorified Olga the God-Wise in Rus', / through her prayers, Lord, / grant to people the abandonment of sin.

Holy prayer Equal to the Apostles Princess Olga
O holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olgo, the First Lady 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 temporal life you tried to enlighten our forefathers with the light of the holy faith and instruct me to do the will of the Lord, so now, in heavenly grace, you are 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 those in need, give a helping hand to those in need, stand up for those who are offended and mistreated, those who have gone astray from the right faith and blinded by heresies, bring them to their senses and ask us from the All-Bountiful God for all that is good and useful life more temporal and eternal, so that we have lived here well, let us be worthy of inheriting eternal blessings in the endless Kingdom of Christ our God, to Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, befits all glory, honor and worship always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Ah min.

GRAND DUCHESS OLGA (890-969)

From the series “History of the Russian State.”

She was the first woman to become the ruler of one of the largest states at that time - Kievan Rus. This woman's revenge was terrible, and her rule was harsh. The princess was perceived ambiguously. Some considered her wise, some considered her cruel and cunning, and some considered her a real saint. Princess Olga went down in history as the creator state culture Kievan Rus, as the first ruler to be baptized, as the first Russian saint..

Princess Olga became famous after tragic death her husband

While still a very young girl, Olga became the wife of the Grand Duke of Kyiv, Igor. According to legend, their first meeting was quite unusual. One day, a young prince, who wanted to cross the river, called from the shore a man floating in a boat. He saw his companion only after they had sailed. To the prince’s surprise, a girl of incredible beauty was sitting in front of him. Succumbing to his feelings, Igor began to persuade her to commit vicious actions. Meanwhile, having understood his thoughts, the girl reminded the prince of the honor of a ruler, who should be a worthy example for his subjects. Ashamed by the words of the young maiden, Igor abandoned his intentions. Noting the girl’s intelligence and chastity, he parted with her, keeping her words and image in his memory. When the time came to choose a bride, not a single one of the Kyiv beauties came to his heart. Remembering the stranger with the boat, Igor sent his guardian, Oleg, after her. So Olga became Igor’s wife and a Russian princess.

However, the princess became famous only after the tragic death of her husband. Soon after the birth of his son Svyatoslav, Prince Igor was executed. He became the first ruler in Russian history to die at the hands of the people, outraged by the repeated collection of tribute. The heir to the throne was only three years old at that time, so virtually all power passed into the hands of Olga. She ruled Kievan Rus until Svyatoslav came of age, but even after that, in reality, the princess remained the ruler, since her son was absent most of the time on military campaigns

Having gained power, Olga mercilessly took revenge on the Drevlyans

The first thing she did was to mercilessly take revenge on the Drevlyans, who were responsible for the death of her husband. Pretending that she agreed to a new marriage with the prince of the Drevlyans, Olga dealt with their elders, and then subjugated the entire people. In her revenge, the princess used any methods. Luring the Drevlyans to the place she needed, on her orders, the Kievans buried them alive, burned them, and bloodthirstyly won the battle. And only after Olga finished her reprisal, she began to govern Kievan Rus.

Princess Olga is the first Russian woman to officially convert to Christianity

Princess Olga directed her main forces to domestic policy, which she tried to implement through diplomatic methods. Traveling around the Russian lands, she suppressed the revolts of small local princes and carried out a series of important reforms. The most important of them was administrative and tax reform. In other words, she established centers of trade and exchange in which taxes were collected in an orderly manner. Financial system became a strong support of princely power in lands far from Kyiv. Thanks to Olga's reign, the defensive power of Rus' increased significantly. Strong walls grew around cities, the first state borders Russia - in the west, with Poland.

The princess strengthened international ties with Germany and Byzantium, and relations with Greece opened up Olga new look to the Christian faith. In 954, the princess, for the purpose of a religious pilgrimage and diplomatic mission, went to Constantinople, where she was received with honor by Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.

Before deciding to be baptized, the princess spent two years learning the basics Christian faith. While attending services, she was amazed at the grandeur of the temples and the shrines collected in them. Princess Olga, who received the name Elena at baptism, became the first woman to officially convert to Christianity in pagan Rus'. Upon her return, she ordered temples to be built in graveyards. During her reign, the Grand Duchess erected the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Sophia in Kyiv, and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in Vitebsk. By her decree, the city of Pskov was built, where the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity was erected. According to legend, the location of the future temple was indicated to her by rays descending from the sky.

The baptism of Princess Olga did not lead to the establishment of Christianity in Rus'

The princess tried to introduce her son to Christianity. Despite the fact that many nobles had already accepted new faith, Svyatoslav remained faithful to paganism. The baptism of Princess Olga did not lead to the establishment of Christianity in Rus'. But her grandson, the future Prince Vladimir, continued the mission of his beloved grandmother. It was he who became the baptist of Rus' and founded the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kyiv, where he transferred the relics of the saints and Olga. During his reign, the princess began to be revered as a saint. And already in 1547 she was officially canonized as a saint, equal to the apostles. It is worth noting that only five women in Christian history have received such an honor - Mary Magdalene, the First Martyr Thekla, the Martyr Apphia, Queen Helen Equal to the Apostles and the enlightener of Georgia Nina. Today, Holy Princess Olga is revered as the patroness of widows and newly converted Christians.

Igor Rurikovich was killed by the Drevlyans when he tried to take too much tribute from them. Having killed Igor, the Drevlyans considered that they had the right to rule over Kiev, and sent ambassadors to his young widow, Princess Olga, with an offer to become the wife of their prince Mal.

Revenge of the young princess

However, this was not enough for Olga. She sent her ambassador to the unsuspecting Drevlyans demanding that a more magnificent and numerous embassy be sent for her. The ambassadors who arrived soon were given a very welcome, offering to take a steam bath on the way. There they were locked and burned alive.

After this, Olga informed the Drevlyans, who were unaware of the fate of their ambassadors, that before her second marriage she wanted to perform a funeral feast over the grave of her first husband. The funeral feast, which took place near the city of Iskorosten, where Igor was killed, involved 5 thousand noble Drevlyans, who were then hacked to pieces by soldiers.

Burnt City

The terrible revenge of the pagan Olga, who later became a Christian, cannot but terrify. Although, as you know, pagan times were generally characterized by cruelty, and the actions of Olga, who avenged the death of her beloved husband, were quite consistent with the morals of these times.

It is also quite possible that, having become a Christian, Olga repented of what she had done. In any case, in the future she would be known as a wise and merciful ruler, who remained faithful to the memory of her husband until the end of her days.

Video on the topic

If you want to find out which man you are compatible with, you can draw conclusions based on numerology. It is this science that will help you choose a match based on your name and the man’s name.

Review of compatibility of the name Olga with some male names according to numerology

Numerology is a very interesting thing. She can sort letters into numbers and recognize names. Based on this, you can find out the person with what name suits you best. Numerology is built entirely on, but in in this case already described ready specifications names so as not to confuse the reader. Numbers have been excluded. The name Olga, despite the fact that it is quite ancient, is quite common in Russia.

Pairs made from older names

Olga and Dmitry. This combination suggests financial well-being. People with these names have a similar way of thinking. And this plays into their hands.

A prosperous union based on a material basis.

Olga and Evgeny will get along better together if one is in the role of a leader, and the second is in the role of a performer. Such relationships will be most convenient for them. The most important thing is to try to agree on who will take on what role, and then everything will go like clockwork. The main thing is not to forget to give in to each other in time.

Olga and Mikhail are a great couple for traveling. Both the woman and this couple are inquisitive and easy-going. Their family will feel great on the road. This couple will be very hospitable because they both do not like silence.

They both have wide circle communication, so there will be a lot of friends.

Olga and Sergey are a quiet and calm couple. These people will easily create a quiet, cozy space, because they both adore peace and quiet. The couple will work out well if Olga does not forget to give in to Mikhail.

Olga and Yuri are very subtle natural psychologists, so it is not difficult for them to interact with each other. If they don’t delve deeply into their friend and don’t try to change their partner’s character and habits to suit themselves, everything will be fine. These people love to be in society and impress others. A very ambitious couple. They will always strive forward to new knowledge.

Olga and Oleg can organize a couple, but only if both of them really want it. Not the strongest union, but if desired, it is possible. True, the couple will rely more on the everyday side of the issue if they are able to agree that they can exist together.

As you can see, ladies named Olga are quite flexible and can successfully pair up with many people. Olgas can adapt to their partner, settle misunderstandings, and improve their everyday life, but only when they themselves see the meaning in this for themselves.

History knows many cases when women became heads of states and made them strong and prosperous. One of these rulers was Olga, Princess of Kyiv. 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 Kyiv was born. Her biography has survived to this day only in fragments. Historians suggest that the future princess was born around 890, since in the Degree Book there is a mention 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 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 Kyiv, married Igor as a very young girl. Brief biography, which has survived to this day thanks to the Tale of Bygone Years, says 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. Common child the spouses appeared 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 that was not the case. 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 Kyiv princess insufficient revenge, and she planned 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 domestic policy states. 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 (stewards) 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

Population Ancient Rus' professed a pagan faith, worshiping a large number 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.” To the Byzantine Emperor Konstantin 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 in better side. 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 study 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 Kyiv, looked like. Photos of portraits of this great woman and the legends composed 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, make sure that other states take it into account. The memory of the faithful wife of Prince Igor is forever immortalized in painting, literary works and movies. Olga entered world history as a wise and intelligent ruler who made a lot of efforts to achieve the greatness of her power.

They were also just waiting for an opportunity to plunder the Russian land. But Princess Olga, Svyatoslav’s mother, turned out to be a very smart woman, moreover, of a firm and decisive disposition; fortunately, among the boyars there were experienced military leaders devoted to her.

First of all, Princess Olga cruelly took revenge on the rebels for the death of her husband. This is what the legends say about this revenge. The Drevlyans, having killed Igor, decided to settle the matter with Olga: they chose twenty best husbands and they sent to her with an offer to marry their prince Mal. When they arrived in Kyiv and Princess Olga found out what was the matter, she told them:

“I love your speech, I can’t resurrect my husband.” I want to honor you tomorrow in front of my people. Go now to your boats; tomorrow I will send people for you, and you tell them: we don’t want to ride or walk, carry us in boats, and they will carry you.

When the next morning people came to the Drevlyans from Olga to call them, they answered as she had taught.

“We are in bondage, our prince was killed, and our princess wants to marry your prince!” - said the people of Kiev and carried the Drevlyans in a boat.

The ambassadors sat arrogantly, proud of their high honor. They brought them to the yard and threw them with the boat into a hole that had previously been dug on Olga’s orders. The princess leaned towards the pit and asked:

- Is honor good for you?

“This honor is worse for us than Igor’s death!” - answered the unfortunate ones.

Princess Olga's revenge on the Drevlyans. Engraving by F. Bruni

Princess Olga ordered to cover them alive with earth. Then she sent ambassadors to the Drevlyans to say: “If you really ask me, then send your best men for me, so that I come to you with great honor, otherwise the people of Kiev will not let me in.”

New ambassadors from the Drevlyans arrived. Olga, according to the custom of that time, ordered a bathhouse to be prepared for them. When they entered there, they were locked up by order of the princess and burned along with the bathhouse. Then she sent again to tell the Drevlyans: “I’m already coming to you, prepare more honey– I want to create on my husband’s grave funeral feast(wake)".

The Drevlyans fulfilled her demand. Princess Olga with a small retinue came to Igor’s grave, cried for her husband and ordered her people to build a high burial mound. Then they began to hold a funeral feast. The Drevlyans sat down to drink, the youths (younger warriors) Olgins served them.

-Where are our ambassadors? - the Drevlyans asked the princess.

“They are coming with my husband’s retinue,” Olga answered.

When the Drevlyans became drunk, the princess ordered her squad to cut them down with swords. Many of them were cut down. Olga hurried to Kyiv, began to gather a squad and next year went to the Drevlyansky land; She also had her son with her. The Drevlyans thought about fighting in the field. When both armies came together, little Svyatoslav was the first to throw a spear, but his childish hand was still weak: the spear barely flew between the horse’s ears and fell at his feet.

- The prince has already begun! - the commanders shouted. - Squad, forward, follow the prince!

The Drevlyans were defeated, fled and took refuge in cities. Princess Olga wanted to take the main one, Korosten, by storm, but all efforts were in vain. The residents defended themselves desperately: they knew what awaited them if they surrendered. The Kyiv army stood under the city for a whole summer, but could not take it. Where strength does not take you, sometimes you can take it with intelligence and dexterity. Princess Olga sent to tell the Korosten people:

- Why don’t you give up? All the cities have already surrendered to me, are paying tribute and calmly cultivating their fields, and you, apparently, want to wait until you starve to death?!

The Korostenians replied that they were afraid of revenge, and they were ready to give tribute in both honey and furs. Princess Olga sent to tell them that she had already taken enough revenge and demanded only a small tribute from them: three doves and three sparrows from each yard. The besieged were glad that they could get rid of trouble so cheaply, and fulfilled her wish. Olga ordered her soldiers to tie pieces of tinder (that is, rags soaked in sulfur) to the birds’ feet and, when it got dark, light the tinder and release the birds. The sparrows flew under the roofs to their nests, the pigeons to their dovecotes. The houses at that time were all wooden, with thatched roofs. Soon Korosten was ablaze from all over, all the houses were engulfed in fire! In horror, the people rushed out of the city and fell straight into the hands of their enemies. Princess Olga took the elders captive, and ordered the common people to beat some, gave others into slavery to her warriors, and imposed a heavy tribute on the rest.

Olga sacrificed many captured Drevlyans to the gods and ordered them to be buried around Igor’s grave; then she held a funeral feast for her husband, and war games took place in honor of the late prince, as custom required.

If Olga was not so cunning, and the Drevlyans were so simple and trusting, as legend says, then still the people and the squad believed that this was exactly what happened: they praised the princess for the fact that she cunningly and cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans for their death husband In the old days, the morals of our ancestors were harsh: bloody revenge was required by custom, and the more terrible the avenger took revenge on the murderers for the death of his relative, the more praise he deserved.

Having pacified the Drevlyans, Princess Olga with her son and retinue went through their villages and cities and established what tribute they should pay her. The next year, she and her squad walked around her other possessions, divided the lands into plots, and determined what taxes and dues the residents had to pay her. The intelligent princess, apparently, clearly understood how much evil there was from the fact that the prince and his squad took tribute as much as they wanted, but the people did not know in advance how much they were obliged to pay.

Princess Olga in Constantinople

The most important matter Olga was that she was the first of the princely family to convert to Christianity.

Princess Olga. Baptism. The first part of the trilogy "Holy Rus'" by S. Kirillov, 1993

Most sources consider the date of Princess Olga's baptism in Constantinople to be the fall of 957.

Upon returning to Kyiv, Olga strongly wanted to baptize her son Svyatoslav into the Christian faith.

“Now I have come to know the true God and I rejoice,” she told her son, “be baptized, you too will know God, there will be joy in your soul.”

- How can I accept a different faith? – Svyatoslav objected. - The squad will laugh at me!..

“If you are baptized,” Olga insisted, “everyone will follow you.”

But Svyatoslav remained adamant. The soul of the warrior-prince was not ready for baptism, for Christianity with its meekness and mercy.