Saint Olga of Pskov 1 2
- Born: 890
- Christened: Cir 957, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey]
- Marriage: Igor I Rurikovich of Kiev
- Died: 11 Jul 969, Kiev aged 79
Other names for Olga were Helga and Olga of Kiev.
General Notes:
Olga, Saint
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.
Noted events in her life were:
• She was employed. Regent of Kiev 945 - 964
Olga married Igor I Rurikovich of Kiev, son of Rurik of Novgorod and Unknown. (Igor I Rurikovich of Kiev was born in 875 and died in 945.) The cause of his death was assassination.
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