Olga, Saint

or Saint Helga

born с 890

died 969, Kiev; feast day July 11

Princess of Kiev.

The first recorded female ruler in Russia, she served as regent of Kiev (945–964) after the assassination of her husband Igor I (877?–945); she avenged his death by having his murderers scalded to death. Probably baptized (с 957) at Constantinople, she became the first member of the ruling family of Kiev to adopt Christianity. She was canonized as the first Russian saint of the Orthodox church.

* * *

▪ Russian saint and regent

also called  Helga  

born c. 890

died 969, Kiev; feast day July 11

      princess who was the first recorded female ruler in Russia and the first member of the ruling family of Kiev to adopt Christianity. She was canonized as the first Russian saint of the Orthodox Church.

      Olga was the widow of Igor I, prince of Kiev, who was assassinated (945) by his subjects while attempting to extort excessive tribute. Because Igor's son Svyatoslav was still a minor, Olga became regent of the grand principality of Kiev from 945 to 964. She soon had Igor's murderers scalded to death and hundreds of their followers killed. Olga became the first of the princely Kievans to adopt Orthodox Christianity. She was probably baptized (c. 957), at Constantinople (now Istanbul), then the most powerful patriarchate. Her efforts to bring Christianity to Russia were resisted by her son but continued by her grandson, the grand prince St. Vladimir (died 1015); together they mark the transition between pagan and Christian Russia.

* * *