Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga. Nominal icon of women bearing the name Olga - Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

The “Source of Orthodoxy” is called by Russian Orthodox believers the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles princess, whose holy face has been one of the most beloved images on the Russian Land since the sixteenth century. The princess, as well as her grandson, Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, who, by adopting the Christian faith and spreading it to the Dnieper banks, delivered Russia from the darkness of idolatry, and continuing each other's work, the princess and Vladimir are in development Kievan Rus the personification of the maternal and paternal divine source.

Concern for the spiritual enlightenment of the people

Seeing how Byzantium, powerful at that time, became and developed, she clearly understood that in order for the state to flourish, it is necessary not only to take care of the state economic development and military power. Olga understood that only unity in the spiritual aspect of life could unite all the people of the state and provide solid ground for the emergence of a nationality. The Almighty told her the right decision, and, having entrusted the care of Kievan Rus to her almost adult offspring, the princess, heading a large fleet, sailed to Constantinople in order to see with her own eyes the worldly benefits resulting from faith, and at the same time establish diplomatic relations and show military strength.

Spiritual birth in the holy font

In Byzantium, the princess was amazed a huge number churches and the beauty of the services held in them. She admiringly listened to the choral singing and learned new terms for herself - repentance, worship, the cross and the holy face. The nun was baptized by the Patriarch Theophylact of Constantinople, and at the moment of conducting such a sacrament by Olgin godfather became the ruler of Byzantium, Constantine Porphyrogenitus. After the ceremony, the princess received the name Elena, that was the name of the righteous mother of Tsar Constantine the Great, who received the Life-giving Cross of the Most High and was engaged in the promotion of the Christian faith in the Roman Empire. And taking an example from her, the baptized Righteous, after arriving in Kievan Rus, began to preach Christianity in her land.

Christian Works in Kievan Rus

The Saint brought quite a lot of holy images and church books to her homeland. Also with her, Christian clergy arrived in Kievan Rus, who were assigned the role of baptizing the inhabitants of Kyiv, who worshiped deities in those days. By order of the princess in the capital of Russia at the burial place of the first Orthodox believer princely family Askold built the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, in which they placed the holy face donated by Emperor Constantine. The reverend did a lot for the praise of the Life-Giving Trinity by the people of Kiev. According to one legend, which says that near her native village on the banks of the Velikaya River, she saw three sunbeam and immediately ordered that a cathedral be erected in this place in the name of the Holy Trinity and predicted that after a while there would be a great trading city here. Olga put up the Lord's cross and erected a cathedral, which laid the foundation for the construction of the city of Pskov. In the center of Kyiv, the Holy Princess erected the Cathedral of St. Sophia, which was dedicated in 960. His main relic began to be considered a cross, which Olga brought from Byzantium after her baptism. This cross was created from the Life-giving Tree of the Lord, and it brought many miraculous deliverances.

The sadness of the princess

But the Kievan state was not yet destined to free itself from dark idolatry and be enlightened by the ray of Christianity. According to the annals, in Russia there were many fairly statesmen and governors who did not recognize the true faith, and among them was Prince Svyatoslav, a young man who had grown up and matured by those years. No matter how the princess tried to persuade him to Christianity, no matter how she asked to go through the sacrament of baptism, Svyatoslav still did not agree. But at the same time, he did not forbid his subjects to accept Christianity and did not allow others to disdain them. After a while, all the administration of the state passed to Svyatoslav, and the Reverend fully devoted her life to the Almighty and charitable causes. She devoted time to the state only when her son went on military campaigns.

Canonization and general church veneration

In the middle of the fifteenth century, "the head of the true faith on the Russian land" in the church was canonized as a saint. And in the same year, her nationwide praise was confirmed. Since that time, the creation of icons of the Holy One begins. It should be noted that for the entire formation of Orthodoxy, the Blessed Olga also entered the number of women who were numbered among the images of saints. The holy image, the essence of which is contained in the image itself, is the righteous of the Lord, who holds a cross in her right hand, denotes faith, and in her left hand is the image of the church, symbolizing her preaching activity and the conversion of her people to Orthodoxy, who worshiped pagan deities. The same attributes are depicted on the holy images of other righteous people, for example, the holy princess Tamara.

Icons revered and loved

The venerable princess is revered as the spiritual mother of all Slavic people, because it was she who laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity on Russian soil. A large number of churches were built in memory of Saint Olga. Such temples have been visited by believers for many years to pray before the holy face of the Blessed Olga. And in our time, the flow of believers who want to bow to her image does not stop. The greatest reverence is enjoyed, for example, by the face of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess in the capital of Russia in the adjacent cathedral, located in the Tourist Center of the Capital Patriarchate, which is also the highest cathedral in Moscow. This temple is located on the top floor of the fifteen-story Universitetsky Hotel, which is visited every day by thousands of Orthodox believers who come from all over Russia. The holy face of the princess in St. Petersburg, located in the church erected in her name, located in the city of Strelna, is also famous for great reverence. This shrine, built in Mikhailovsky Square, which stretches on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, is constantly visited by a great number of believers. And many sink into the soul of the holy face, on which she is depicted holding a cross, presented to her by a monk from Constantinople. This image is the icon of the Reverend.

What do they pray for before this image?

It is believed that a prayerful petition before the holy image of St. Olga can bestow wisdom on people in life situations and sends them His God's mercy, in such an amount that is necessary for any of those who turn in his life filled with anxieties and temptations. They also pray to the Holy Righteous for the strengthening of Russia, for protection and softening of hearts. There is evidence of cases when, with the help of the holy face of the Reverend, they got rid of psychological ailments. In what cases can the icon of the Saint help? The correct answer is that such prayers can help in almost all cases, provided that your petition comes from the heart and is pronounced sincerely.

The icon of which since the 16th century has become one of the most revered in Russia. She and her grandson Saint Prince Vladimir, who expelled the darkness of paganism from the Dnieper banks with the light of Christ's faith, complementing each other, have become in our history the embodiment of the maternal and paternal spiritual principles.

Bride of the Kyiv prince

The oldest of the chronicles, called "The Tale of Bygone Years", is the first literary monument that has come down to us, mentioning the name of Princess Olga, this "spiritual mother of Russia", whose image is shown to us today by an icon stored in most churches. Saint Olga is presented in this document as the young bride of Prince Igor of Kyiv.

Tradition tells that she belonged to the oldest family of the Izborsk princes and was born in 894 in the village of Vybuty, located not far from Pskov. Her first meeting with her future groom took place there, which left in his heart the memory of a pure and chaste beauty living on the banks of the Velikaya River.

The bitterness of early widowhood

It was she who he preferred to all other brides who came to Kyiv when it was time to name his chosen one. And he made her his wife and Grand Duchess of Kievan Rus. But Olga was not given a long family happiness. As soon as their firstborn, Svyatoslav, was born to them, trouble befell the young princess - Igor accepted a fierce death in the dense forest thickets at the hands of the insidious Drevlyans who inhabited those parts.

The inconsolable widow grieved, the inconsolable widow was killed, but grief could not be helped, but she had to raise her son, and now she remained the sole ruler of the Russian land. From now on, all state concerns fell on her women's shoulders. But first, in order to calm the soul, and honor her husband's memory as it should, Olga decided to punish the murderers of her husband.

It was only later, having become a Christian, that she began, according to the teachings of the true faith, to pray for her enemies and forgive insults. Then she poured out on the destroyers of her husband all the insane fury of the dark pagan. Twice luring their embassies to Kyiv, she ordered some to be buried alive, and others to be burned by fire. And in order to drink the enemy’s blood to the brim, she moved her squads to the cities of the Drevlyans, where the number of killed enemies was in the thousands.

Ruler of Russia

No, this image is not shown to us today by the temple icon. Saint Olga was born later from the font of Constantinople, and then a strong and merciless ruler appeared before the tribes and peoples who inhabited Ancient Russia, who showed in herself a power worthy of an outstanding statesman. And with difficulty, but obeyed her subjects.

Has achieved wise princess strengthening its centralized power, dividing the lands subject to it into "graveyards" - separate areas in which she placed a governor, and each of them introduced a quitrent, which she sent armed detachments to collect. The very name "graveyards" is believed to have come from these very "guests" who never left empty-handed. It was unprofitable for people, but the treasury was in abundance, and, therefore, for the benefit of the state.

And guided by the firm hand of the wise ruler, Russia strengthened in every possible way. The economy developed, and at the same time new cities appeared. Every year the young prince Svyatoslav grew up, who, upon reaching required years had to take control of the state.

Concern for the spiritual enlightenment of the people

Having before her the example of one of the most powerful states at that time - Byzantium, Princess Olga understood that for the prosperity of the state it was not enough just to take care of its economic well-being and military force. She realized that only a community of spiritual life could bring together its inhabitants and become a reliable basis for the formation of a nation.

The Lord helped her right choice, and, leaving the state in the care of her already grown up son, Olga, at the head of a large fleet, went to Constantinople to see with her own eyes the earthly fruits brought by faith, and at the same time solve pressing diplomatic issues and demonstrate military power.

Spiritual birth in the holy font

In the Byzantine capital, the imagination of the princess was struck by the abundance of temples and the magnificence of the services performed in them. She listened enchanted to church singing and for the first time comprehended new concepts for her - confession, liturgy, the cross and the icon. Saint Olga was baptized by Theophylact, and during the ceremony, Emperor Constantine the Bogrianogenny himself was her godfather.

Upon completion of the sacrament, the princess was honored with the name Elena, in honor of the holy mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who received the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and became famous for spreading the true faith in the Roman state. Having become like her, the newly baptized ruler of Russia, returning to her homeland, became a preacher of Christianity in the lands subject to her.

Pious labors at home

Princess Olga arrived home with a large luggage of icons and liturgical books. With her, several Orthodox priests also came to Russia, who were to convert the people of Kiev to Christ, who until that time had worshiped idols. By order of Olga in Kyiv, on the grave of the first Christian Prince Askold, a temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was erected, in which an icon brought from Constantinople was placed.

The Holy Princess Olga also worked hard for glorification in Russia. There is a legend that not far from her native village on the banks of the Velikaya River, she was able to see three shining rays descending from heaven and at the same time predicted that a temple would be erected in that place in honor of the Holy Trinity and over time roar the big trading city. She herself installed on the shore and founded the temple, which marked the beginning of the construction of Pskov.

In Kyiv itself, the God-wise ruler built which was consecrated in 960. Its main shrine was the cross with which the Patriarch of Constantinople blessed her in holy baptism. It was made from the Life-Giving Tree of the Lord, through which many miracles of healing were revealed.

The sadness of the princess

However, the hour of Russia has not yet come out of the darkness of paganism and illuminated by the light of the Orthodox faith. The chronicler reports that there were quite a few boyars and warriors in Kyiv who hated the Wisdom of God, and among them was Prince Svyatoslav, who had matured and grown stronger by that time, the son of Olga.

No matter how his mother instructed him in the true faith, no matter how she persuaded him to accept baptism, he invariably continued to persist. However, those close to him who turned to Christ, he did not interfere in this and did not allow others to mock them. Over time, all the fullness of power passed to her son, and his pious mother completely devoted herself to serving God and charity. She was engaged in state affairs only in those days when Svyatoslav was on campaigns with his squad.

The Last Years of the Righteous

She spent the last years of her life in Kyiv, raising her grandchildren, among whom grew up the future baptist of Russia, Prince Vladimir. The pious grandmother instructed them in the faith, talked about the One God and how He created heaven and earth, but she did not dare to baptize them, fearing the wrath of her pagan son.

She even had to receive a priest secretly. Her only consolation was a prayer book and an icon. Saint Olga before last days did not stop asking the Lord for the enlightenment of the Russian land. And the Almighty heeded her prayers, entrusting this great work to her Equal-to-the-Apostles grandson. He called the righteous woman to Himself in 969.

Canonization and general church veneration

The canonization of the "mistress of the faith in the Russian land" took place at the council of 1547. In the same place, her universal veneration was confirmed even in the pre-Mongolian period. From this moment begins its history and its iconography. It is also important to note that for all of the six women canonized Equal-to-the-Apostles, St. Olga was also awarded this honor.

The icon, the meaning of which becomes clear from its very composition, represents a saint of God holding a cross in one hand, symbolizing faith, and in the other, an image of a temple - a symbol of her missionary work and the spread of Christianity in pagan lands. The same symbols can be seen on the icons of other bearers of the faith, for example, Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Tamara.

Icons revered and loved

Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga is revered as the spiritual mother of the Russian people, since it is from her that their formation on the path of the Christian faith begins. Temples erected in her honor are innumerable. For many centuries people have been going to them to bow to the honest image of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess.

Their flow does not dry up even today. For example, the icon of St. Olga in Moscow in the house church at the Pilgrimage Center of the Moscow Patriarchate, the highest church in the capital, enjoys great reverence. It is located on the fifteenth floor of the Universitetskaya Hotel and opens its doors daily to hundreds of believers who come from all over the country.

The icon of St. Olga in St. Petersburg, which is kept in the church built in her honor, located in Strelna, is also known to many. This architectural monument, erected in Mikhailovsky Park on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, always attracts many pilgrims and just tourists. And all of them remember for a long time the image of the princess holding in her hand the cross given to her by the Patriarch of Constantinople. This is the icon of St. Olga.

What do they pray for before this image?

It is generally accepted that prayer before the icon of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga helps believers gain wisdom in worldly affairs and fills their hearts with Grace, so necessary for everyone in our life full of anxieties and temptations. It is also customary to offer her prayers for the strengthening of Russia, for protection from offenders and softening of their hearts.

There are also cases when it was the icon of St. Olga that brought healing to those suffering from mental illness. What else helps her holy image? It would be correct to say that literally in everything, if only the prayer is pronounced from the very depths of the heart and filled with living faith. Under this condition, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga bows her ear to our prayers and intercedes before God for their fulfillment.

It is also known that the icon of St. Olga is a special patronage for women bearing the name Olga. The photos presented in the article will help create an idea of ​​the iconography of this image and how it was seen by masters of different eras.

Many historical figures are significant for believers and for their actions during their lifetime they were canonized as saints. These include Princess Olga, who is a significant figure in the formation of Russia. The church honors her memory on July 24 according to the new style.

Saint Olga in Orthodoxy

Many churches have an icon of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, who is considered the mother of the clergy in Russia. Together with her husband, she expelled paganism and baptized the people. For many, information about why Olga is a saint and why she was canonized is unknown. The clergy give a clear explanation that equal to the apostles means equal to the apostles. The church gives such a title to those people who affirmed faith in the Lord and helped people come to faith.

Saint Olga - biography

The girl married Prince Igor of Kyiv at a young age. After his death, the rule of the Kyiv state passed into the hands of Olga, since their common son Svyatoslav was only three years old. Until the end of her days, the princess was engaged in internal affairs Russia. There are several facts about her life:

1. Disputes regarding the origin of the princess have not subsided for many years, and there are several versions. Normanists believe that Varangian blood flowed in her veins, and there is also an assumption that she was a Slav.
2. It is believed that Saint Olga was responsible for the death of her husband due to the fact that she increased the amount of tribute and people refused to pay. She is long time took revenge on the Drevlyans that they had taken her husband's life.
3. She was the first of the rulers of Russia to become a Christian, and during the rite of baptism she was given the name Elena.
4. The Holy Princess Olga tried to persuade her son to the faith, but he refused, believing that the squad would not accept him.
5. The exact date of death is known - July 24, and she was buried according to Christian customs, and her grandson Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir transferred her imperishable relics to the church in Kyiv.
6. The general church glorification took place in 1547.
7. The saint is considered the patroness of women who have lost their husbands, and newly converted Christians.
8. Olga is revered, both in the Catholic and in the Orthodox Church.

What helps the icon of St. Olga?

The image of the princess for Orthodox believers has great importance because she contributed to a whole nation. Saint Olga, whose icon is in many churches, helps people in different situations:

1. Mothers turn to her for help in order to protect their children from wrong decisions and various problems.
2. Saint Olga will help to survive difficult periods in life, when hands drop, and faith begins to fade.
3. The image can serve as a powerful amulet for the home and the whole family, which will "repel" evil forces, various negativity and troubles.
4. Prayers before the face of a saint help a believer to gain worldly wisdom and learn how to make decisions in life correctly.
5. The saint helps to strengthen faith in the heart of a person.
6. There is evidence that Olga helped solve problems in her personal life and, moreover, find right exit in confusing situations.

Prayer to Saint Olga

There are several features that must be taken into account when referring to Equal-to-the-Apostles. To the holy grand duchess Olga responded, it is recommended to contact her before the image, which can be bought in a church shop. People pray to her so that she conveys a request to the Lord and helps in helping. It is important to pronounce the prayer text from a pure heart and unshakable faith.

Prayer to Saint Olga for help

AT difficult situations a person often turns to the Higher powers for help, and St. Olga also helps. She assists in different situations, which is proved by the reviews of believers. It is important that the request is meaningful and has only good intentions. The prayer of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga can be said every morning or before some important events, when you feel the need for invisible support.

Prayer to Saint Olga for marriage

Since the princess is considered the patroness and intercessor of the entire Russian people, all believers with their problems can turn to her. Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga helps women find their soul mate, successfully marry and keep feelings for a long time. It is important to read the prayer with full responsibility, and not for the sake of interest, and not have bad intentions.

July 24(July 11 O.S.) The Church honors the memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, named Elena in holy baptism. Holy Princess Olga ruled Old Russian state from 945 to 960 as a regent for her young son Svyatoslav, after the death of her husband, Prince of Kyiv Igor Rurikovich. Olga was the first of the rulers of Russia to accept Christianity. Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga is prayed for the strengthening of the Christian faith and for the deliverance of the state from enemies. Saint Olga is also revered as the patroness of widows.

Life of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

Chronicles do not report the year of Olga's birth, however, the later book of degrees states that she died at the age of about 80, which places her date of birth at the end of the 9th century. The approximate date of her birth is reported by the late Arkhangelsk Chronicler, who specifies that Olga was 10 years old at the time of marriage. Based on this, many scientists calculated the date of her birth - 893. The prologue life of the princess claims that at the time of her death she was 75 years old. Thus, Olga was born in 894. But this date is called into question by the date of birth of Olga's eldest son, Svyatoslav (c. 938-943), since Olga at the time of her son's birth should have been 45-50 years old, which seems unlikely. Looking at the fact that Svyatoslav Igorevich was the eldest son of Olga, a researcher of Slavic culture and history Ancient Russia B.A. Rybakov, taking 942 as the date of birth of the prince, considered the year 927-928 to be the last point of Olga's birth. A. Karpov in his monograph "Princess Olga" claims that the princess was born around 920. Consequently, the date around 925 looks more accurate than 890, since Olga herself in the annals for 946-955 appears young and energetic, and gives birth to her eldest son in 942. The Tale of Bygone Years names the name of the future enlightener of Russia and her homeland in the description of the marriage of the Kyiv prince Igor:

And they brought him a wife from Pskov, named Olga.

The Joachim Chronicle specifies that she belonged to the family of the princes of Izborsk, one of the ancient Russian princely dynasties.

Igor's wife was called the Varangian name Helga, in Russian pronunciation Olga (Volga). Tradition calls the birthplace of Olga the village of Vybuty not far from Pskov, up the Velikaya River. The life of St. Olga tells that here for the first time she met her future husband. The young prince was hunting on the Pskov land and, wishing to cross the Velikaya River, he saw "a certain person floating in a boat" and called him to the shore. Having sailed from the shore in a boat, the prince found that he was being carried by a girl of amazing beauty. Igor was inflamed with lust for her and began to incline her to sin. Olga turned out to be not only beautiful, but chaste and smart. She shamed Igor, reminding him of the princely dignity of the ruler:

Why do you embarrass me, prince, with immodest words? Let me be young and humble, and alone here, but know that it is better for me to throw myself into the river than to endure reproach.

Igor broke up with her, keeping in mind her words and a beautiful image. When it came time to choose a bride, the most beautiful girls principalities. But none of them pleased him. And then he remembered Olga and sent Prince Oleg after her. So Olga became the wife of Prince Igor, the Grand Russian Duchess.

In 942, a son, Svyatoslav, was born into the family of Prince Igor. In 945, Igor was killed by the Drevlyans after repeatedly exacting tribute from them. Fearing revenge for the murder of the Kyiv prince, the Drevlyans sent envoys to Princess Olga, offering her to marry their ruler Mal (d. 946). Olga pretended to agree. By cunning, she lured two embassies of the Drevlyans to Kyiv, betraying them to a painful death: the first was buried alive "in the prince's courtyard", the second was burned in a bathhouse. After that, five thousand Drevlyansky men were killed by Olga's soldiers at the funeral feast for Igor near the walls of the Drevlyan capital Iskorosten. The next year, Olga again approached Iskorosten with an army. The city was burned with the help of birds, to whose feet a burning tow was tied. The surviving Drevlyans were captured and sold into slavery.

Along with this, the chronicles are full of evidence of her tireless "walking" on the Russian land in order to build the political and economic life of the country. She achieved the strengthening of the power of the Kyiv Grand Duke, centralized public administration with the help of the "pogost" system. The chronicle notes that she, with her son and her retinue, passed through the Drevlyane land, setting tributes and dues, marking villages and camps and hunting grounds to be included in the Kyiv grand-princely possessions. She went to Novgorod, arranging graveyards along the rivers Msta and Luga. Life tells about the works of Olga:

And Princess Olga ruled the regions of the Russian land subject to her not as a woman, but as a strong and reasonable husband, firmly holding power in her hands and courageously defending herself from enemies. And she was terrible for the latter, loved by her own people, as a merciful and pious ruler, as a righteous judge and offending no one, imposing punishment with mercy and rewarding the good; she inspired fear in all the evil, rewarding each in proportion to the dignity of his deeds, in all matters of management she showed foresight and wisdom. At the same time, Olga, merciful at heart, was generous to the poor, the poor and the needy; fair requests soon reached her heart, and she quickly fulfilled them ... With all this, Olga combined a temperate and chaste life, she did not want to remarry, but remained in pure widowhood, observing her son until the days of age his princely power. When the latter matured, she handed over to him all the affairs of government, and she herself, having abstained from rumors and care, lived outside the cares of management, indulging in the deeds of charity..

Russia grew and strengthened. Cities were built surrounded by stone and oak walls. The princess herself lived behind the reliable walls of Vyshgorod, surrounded by a faithful retinue. Two-thirds of the tribute collected, according to the chronicle, she gave at the disposal of the Kyiv Council, the third part went "to Olga, to Vyshgorod" - to the military structure. The establishment of the first state borders of Kievan Rus belongs to the time of Olga. The heroic outposts, sung in epics, guarded the peaceful life of the people of Kiev from the nomads of the Great Steppe, from attacks from the West. Foreigners rushed to Gardarika, as they called Russia, with goods. Scandinavians, Germans willingly entered into mercenaries in Russian army. Russia became a great power. But Olga understood that it was not enough to worry only about state and economic life. It was necessary to take care of the organization of the religious, spiritual life of the people. The Power Book writes:

Her feat was that she recognized the true God. Not knowing the Christian law, she lived a pure and chaste life, and she wished to be a Christian of her own free will, with the eyes of her heart she found the path of knowing God and followed it without hesitation..

Reverend Nestor the Chronicler(c. 1056-1114) tells:

Blessed Olga from an early age sought wisdom, what is the best in this world, and found a valuable pearl- Christ.

Grand Duchess Olga, having entrusted Kyiv to her grown son, set off with a large fleet to Constantinople. Old Russian chroniclers will call this act of Olga "walking", it combined both a religious pilgrimage, a diplomatic mission, and a demonstration of the military might of Russia. " Olga wanted to go to the Greeks herself in order to see with her own eyes the Christian service and be fully convinced of their teaching about the true God.”, - tells the life of St. Olga. According to the chronicle, in Constantinople Olga decides to become a Christian. The Sacrament of Baptism was performed over her by the Patriarch of Constantinople Theophylact (917-956), and the emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus (905-959), who left in his essay “On the Ceremonies of the Byzantine Court” detailed description ceremonies during Olga's stay in Constantinople. At one of the receptions, the Russian princess was presented with a golden, decorated precious stones dish. Olga donated it to the sacristy of Hagia Sophia, where he was seen and described at the beginning of the 13th century by Russian diplomat Dobrynya Yadreykovich, later Archbishop Anthony of Novgorod (d. 1232): “ A dish of great gold service to Olga the Russian, when she took tribute when she went to Constantinople: in Olga's dish is a precious stone, Christ is written on the same stone". The Patriarch blessed the newly baptized Russian princess with a cross carved from a single piece of the Life-Giving Tree of the Lord. On the cross was the inscription:

The Russian land was renewed with the Holy Cross, which was received by Olga, the noble princess.

Olga returned to Kyiv with icons and liturgical books. She erected a temple in the name of St. Nicholas over the grave of Askold, the first Kyiv prince-Christian and she converted many people of Kiev to Christ. With the preaching of faith, the princess went to the north. In the Kyiv and Pskov lands, in remote villages, at crossroads, she erected crosses, destroying pagan idols. Princess Olga laid the foundation for a special veneration of the Most Holy Trinity in Russia. From century to century, the story of a vision that she had near the Velikaya River, not far from her native village, was transmitted. She saw that "three bright rays" were descending from the sky from the east. Addressing your companions former witnesses visions, Olga said prophetically:

May it be known to you that by the will of God there will be a church in this place in the name of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, and there will be a great and glorious city here, abounding in everything.

On this place Olga erected a cross and founded a temple in the name of the Holy Trinity. It became the main cathedral of Pskov. On May 11, 960, the Church of Hagia Sophia of the Wisdom of God was consecrated in Kyiv. The main shrine of the temple was the cross received by Olga at Baptism in Constantinople. In the Prologue of the 13th century, it is said about Olga's cross:

Izhe now stands in Kyiv in Hagia Sophia in the altar on the right side.

After the conquest of Kyiv by the Lithuanians, Holgin's cross was stolen from Sophia Cathedral and taken by the Catholics to Lublin. His further fate is unknown. At that time, the pagans looked with hope at the growing Svyatoslav, who resolutely rejected his mother's persuasion to accept Christianity. " Tale of Bygone Years' says this about it:

Olga lived with her son Svyatoslav, and persuaded his mother to be baptized, but he neglected this and plugged his ears; however, if someone wanted to be baptized, he did not forbid him, nor mocked him ... Olga often said: “My son, I have known God and rejoice; so you too, if you know, you will also begin to rejoice.” He, not listening to this, said: “How can I want to change my faith alone? My warriors will laugh at this! She told him: “If you are baptized, everyone will do the same.

He, not listening to his mother, lived according to pagan customs. In 959 a German chronicler wrote: The ambassadors of Elena, the queen of the Russians, who was baptized in Constantinople, came to the king and asked him to consecrate a bishop and priests for this people". King Otto, the future founder of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, responded to Olga's request. A year later, Libutius, from the monastery of St. Alban in Mainz, was appointed Bishop of Russia, but he soon died. Adalbert of Trier was consecrated in his place, whom Otto finally sent to Russia. When in 962 Adalbert appeared in Kyiv, he " did not succeed in anything for which he was sent, and saw his efforts in vain. On the way back " some of his companions were killed, and the bishop himself did not escape mortal danger”, - this is how the chronicles tell about the mission of Adalbert. The pagan reaction manifested itself so strongly that not only the German missionaries suffered, but also some of the Kyiv Christians who were baptized along with Olga. By order of Svyatoslav, Olga's nephew Gleb was killed and some churches built by her were destroyed. Princess Olga had to come to terms with what had happened and go into matters of personal piety, leaving control to the pagan Svyatoslav. Of course, she was still reckoned with, her experience and wisdom were invariably referred to in all important cases. When Svyatoslav left Kyiv, the administration of the state was entrusted to Princess Olga.

Svyatoslav defeated the old enemy of the Russian state - the Khazar Khaganate. The next blow was dealt to Volga Bulgaria, then came the turn of the Danube Bulgaria - eighty cities were taken by Kyiv warriors along the Danube. Svyatoslav and his warriors personified the heroic spirit of pagan Russia. Chronicles have preserved the words Svyatoslav, surrounded with his retinue by a huge Greek army:

Let's not disgrace the Russian land, but let's lie down with bones here! The dead have no shame!

While in Kyiv, Princess Olga taught her grandchildren, the children of Svyatoslav, the Christian faith, but did not dare to baptize them, fearing the wrath of her son. In addition, he hindered her attempts to establish Christianity in Russia. In 968 Kyiv was besieged by the Pechenegs. Princess Olga and her grandchildren, among whom was Prince Vladimir, were in mortal danger. When the news of the siege reached Svyatoslav, he hurried to help, and the Pechenegs were put to flight. Princess Olga, already seriously ill, asked her son not to leave until her death. She did not lose hope to turn her son's heart to God, and on her deathbed she did not stop preaching: Why do you leave me, my son, and where are you going? Looking for someone else's, to whom do you entrust yours? After all, Your children are still small, and I am already old, and sick, - I expect an early death - a departure to the beloved Christ, in whom I believe; now I don’t worry about anything, but about you: I regret that although I taught a lot and urged me to leave idol wickedness, to believe in the true God that I knew, and you neglect this, and I know what your disobedience is a bad end awaits you on earth, and after death - eternal torment prepared for the Gentiles. Fulfill now at least this last request of mine: do not go anywhere until I pass away and be buried; then go wherever you want. After my death, do not do anything that pagan custom requires in such cases; but let my presbyter with the clergy bury my body according to the Christian custom; do not dare to pour a grave mound over me and make funeral feasts; but send gold to Constantinople to the most holy patriarch, so that he makes a prayer and an offering to God for my soul and distributes alms to the poor». « Hearing this, Svyatoslav wept bitterly and promised to fulfill everything bequeathed by her, refusing only to accept the holy faith. After three days, blessed Olga fell into extreme exhaustion; she partook of the Divine Mysteries of the Most Pure Body and the Life-Giving Blood of Christ our Savior; all the time she remained in fervent prayer to God and to the Most Pure Theotokos, whom she always, according to God, had as her helper; she called all the saints; Blessed Olga prayed with particular zeal for the enlightenment of the Russian land after her death; seeing the future, she repeatedly predicted that God would enlighten the people of the Russian land and many of them would be great saints; Blessed Olga prayed for the speedy fulfillment of this prophecy at her death. And another prayer was on her lips, when her honest soul was released from the body and, as a righteous one, was received by the hands of God.". The date of the death of Princess Olga is July 11, 969. Princess Olga was buried according to Christian custom. In 1007, her grandson Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavichokolo (960-1015) transferred the relics of the saints, including Olga, to the Church of the Virgin in Kyiv, which he founded.

Veneration of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

Probably, during the reign of Yaropolk (972-978), Princess Olga began to be revered as a saint. This is evidenced by the transfer of her relics to the church and the description of miracles given by the monk Jacob in the 11th century. Since that time, the day of memory of St. Olga (Helena) began to be celebrated on July 11 (Old Style). Under Grand Duke Vladimir, the relics of St. Olga were transferred to the Tithe Church of the Assumption Holy Mother of God and placed in a sarcophagus. There was a window in the church wall above the tomb of St. Olga; and if someone came to the relics with faith, he saw the relics through the window, and some saw the radiance emanating from them, and many sick people were healed. The prophecy of the Holy Princess Olga about the death of her son Svyatoslav came true. He, according to the chronicle, was killed by the Pecheneg prince Kurei (tenth century), who cut off the head of Svyatoslav and made a cup out of the skull, bound it with gold and drank from it during feasts. The prayerful labors and deeds of St. Olga confirmed the greatest deed of her grandson St. Vladimir - the Baptism of Russia. In 1547 Olga was canonized as a saint Equal-to-the-Apostles.

The main information about Olga's life, recognized as reliable, is contained in the Tale of Bygone Years, the Life from the Book of Degrees, the hagiographic work of the monk Jacob "Memory and praise to the Russian prince Volodimer" and the work of Konstantin Porphyrogenitus "On the ceremonies of the Byzantine court." Other sources provide additional information about Olga, but their reliability cannot be accurately determined. According to the Joachim Chronicle, Olga's original name is Beautiful. The Joachim Chronicle reports the execution by Svyatoslav of his only brother Gleb for his Christian beliefs during Russian-Byzantine war 968-971 years. Gleb could be the son of Prince Igor both from Olga and from another wife, since the same chronicle reports that Igor had other wives. Orthodox faith Gleba testifies in favor of the fact that he was the youngest son of Olga. The medieval Czech historian Tomas Peshina in his work in Latin “Mars Moravicus” (1677) spoke about a certain Russian prince Oleg, who became (940) the last king of Moravia and was expelled from there by the Hungarians in 949. According to Tomas Peshina, this Oleg of Moravia was Olga’s brother. The existence of Olga's blood relative, calling him anepsia (meaning nephew or cousin), was mentioned by Konstantin Porphyrogenitus in the list of her retinue during a visit to Constantinople in 957.

Troparion and kontakion to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

Troparion, tone 1

Krill of God-reason, fixing your mind, you flew up above the visible creatures, seeking God and the Creator of all kinds. And having found that, thou hast accepted the packs of debauchery by baptism. And enjoying the tree of the animal cross of Christ, you remain incorruptible forever, ever glorious.

Kontakion, tone 4

Let us sing today the Benefactor of all God, who glorified God-wise Olga in Russia. And by her prayers, Christ, grant forgiveness to our souls of sins.

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Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. Icons

On the icons, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga is depicted full-length or waist-high. She is dressed in royal clothes, her head is decorated with a princely crown. In her right hand, the holy princess Olga Vladimir holds a cross - a symbol of faith, as the moral foundation of the state, or a scroll.

Temples in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

In the north-west of Russia there was a churchyard of Holguin Krest. It was here, as chronicle sources say, that Princess Olga came in 947 to collect taxes. In memory of her amazing rescue while crossing the rapids and ice-free Narova, Princess Olga put up a wooden, and then a stone cross. In the tract Holgin Cross there were local revered shrines - a temple in the name of St. Nicholas, built in the 15th century, a stone cross, established, according to legend, in the 10th century by Princess Olga. Later, the cross was built into the wall of the church of St. Nicholas. In 1887, the temple was supplemented with a chapel in the name of the Holy Princess Olga. Nicholas Church was blown up in 1944 by retreating German troops.

In Kyiv on Trekhsvyatitelskaya street (street of Victims of the Revolution) until the 30s. 20th century there was a church in the name of three saints - Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. It was built in the early 80s. XII century by Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich in the princely court and consecrated in 1183. The church had a chapel in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga.

In the Church of the Assumption from the Ferry (from Paromeny) in Pskov, a chapel was consecrated in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. The church was put on the site of an earlier one, built in 1444. Since 1938, the church has not operated, in 1994 worship was resumed in it.

In the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, a church of the same faith was consecrated in Ulyanovsk. The church was built in 1196.

In the city of Ulyanovsk there is a common faith church of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Folk memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

In Pskov, there is the Olginskaya embankment, the Olginskiy bridge, the Olginskaya chapel, as well as two monuments to the princess. Monuments to the saint were erected in Kyiv and Korosten, as well as the figure of Olga is present on the monument "Millennium of Russia" in Veliky Novgorod. In honor of the Holy Princess Olga, Olga Bay is named Sea of ​​Japan and an urban-type settlement in Primorsky Krai. Streets in Kyiv and Lvov are named after St. Olga. Also in the name of St. Olga, the following orders were established: Badge of Honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga (established by Emperor Nicholas II in 1915); "Order of Princess Olga" (state award of Ukraine since 1997); Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga (ROC).

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. Paintings

Many painters addressed the image of the Holy Princess Olga and her life in their works, among them V.K. Sazonov (1789–1870), B.A. Chorikov (1802–1866), V.I. Surikov (1848–1916), N.A. Bruni (1856–1935), N.K. Roerich (1874–1947), M.V. Nesterov (1862–1942) and others.

The image of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in art

Many literary works are dedicated to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, these are “Princess Olga” (A.I. Antonov), “Olga, Queen of the Rus” (B. Vasiliev), “I know God!” (S.T. Alekseev), "The Great Princess Elena-Olga" (M. Apostolov) and others. Such works as “The Legend of Princess Olga” (directed by Yuri Ilyenko), “The Saga of the Ancient Bulgars. The Tale of Olga the Holy ”(director Bulat Mansurov) and others.

July 24 is the day of memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga. Read about her and other saints who bore this name in the material on the website of the magazine "Thomas".

Origin of the name Olga

There are various theories about the origin of the name Olga.

According to the first version - Old Russian Olga comes from a Middle Greek name Ελγα.

According to another, "Germanic" version - from the Old Norse Nelga(from other Scandinavian heilagr - “holy”, “sacred”).

Duchess Olga

Prince Igor's wife Olga was from the Pskov village of Vybuty. The chronicle says that she or her father kept a crossing there across the Velikaya River. She was still a very young girl when Rurik's son, Prince Igor of Kyiv, wooed her.

Prince Igor died at the hands of the Drevlyans (an East Slavic tribe) after repeatedly trying to collect tribute from them. Igor's son Svyatoslav was then only three years old, and the rule of the young Kyiv state passed into the hands of the prince's widow, Olga. Only at the end of her life Olga took off this heavy burden: her son Svyatoslav spent almost all his time in military campaigns, and his mother conducted all internal affairs.

Olga severely punished the Drevlyans. But then came to grips with what led to the death of her husband. She established a fixed amount of tribute for all Slavic tribes, as well as for the lands of the Pskov and Novgorod regions; introduced a system of churchyards - administrative and shopping centers through which taxes were collected.

Olga was the first of the rulers of Russia to accept Christianity. In baptism, she received the name Elena. An old Russian chronicle legend reports that she was baptized in Constantinople (Constantinople), and the godfather was Emperor Constantine himself. This legend does not find confirmation in the Byzantine chronicles, however, they reliably testify that Kyiv princess indeed she came to Constantinople, and, among others, she was accompanied by a priest.

Olga tried to persuade her son, Prince Svyatoslav, to Christianity, but he did not listen to her words, fearing that he would not find understanding among the squad.

M. Nesterov. Saint Olga. 1892

The monk Jacob in the 11th century essay “Memory and Praise to the Russian Prince Volodimer” has preserved for us the exact date Olga's death: July 11, 969. According to the new style - July 24. Olga was buried according to Christian custom in the ground. Her grandson, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, the baptizer of Russia, transferred her imperishable relics to the Church of the Tithes built by him in Kyiv.

M. Nesterov. Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. 1927

The veneration of Grand Duchess Olga as a Christian saint began under her grandchildren - Yaropolk, and then Vladimir. The general church glorification took place at the Makarievsky Cathedral in 1547: Olga was canonized as a saint in the rank of Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Other famous saints named Olga:

Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Grand Duchess Olga (Romanova)

Grand Duchess Olga is the first child of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Born in 1895 in Tsarskoye Selo. After February Revolution was under house arrest. On the night of July 16-17, 1918, she was shot along with all royal family in the basement of the Ipatiev house in Yekaterinburg. Buried in Ganina Yama. In 1998, Olga's ashes were reburied in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

She was canonized together with her parents, sisters and brother in 1981 by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, glorified in the assembly of the New Martyrs of Russia by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.

In the calendar of the Russian Church there are 5 more saints with the name Olga. Four of them are New Martyrs who suffered during the persecution of the Church at the beginning of the 20th century.

Interesting facts about Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga

1. Pskov is first mentioned in the chronicle in connection with the name of Olga, in the Tale of Bygone Years for 903:“In the year 6411 (903), when Igor grew up, he accompanied Oleg and listened to him, and they brought him a wife from Pskov, named Olga.”

Sergei Kirillov. Fragment of the painting “Princess Olga (Baptism). The first part of the trilogy "Holy Russia"

2. Prophetic Oleg- an associate of Rurik, Novgorod, and then Kyiv prince. Being the guardian of Rurik's son Igor, he married Olga for him. The name Olga in Scandinavian transcription sounds like Helga and is a female version of the Scandinavian name Helg - Oleg.

Oleg nails his shield to the gates of Constantinople. Engraving by F. A. Bruni, 1839

3. Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus mentions the visit of Princess Olga to Constantinople in the essay "On the Ceremonies of the Byzantine Court". However, the legend about how the emperor himself became the godfather of the Russian princess does not find confirmation anywhere, except for the Russian chronicles themselves.

Radziwill Chronicle: Olga in Constantinople in 955

4. The Trinity Cathedral of Pskov, one of the oldest in Russia, was built, according to legend, at the behest of Grand Duchess Olga. When the princess stood on the banks of the Velikaya River, she had a vision: three rays from the sky converged on the opposite bank. Olga ordered to build a cathedral there in honor of the Holy Trinity. Until our time, however, the first building of the cathedral has not survived.

5. Holgin Krest - a former graveyard on the Narva River. Princess Olga put a cross on this place in honor of her deliverance from the shipwreck on Narva. In the Middle Ages, the churchyard of Holgin Krest was the administrative center of the Narva Bay, the Gdovsky district of the Pskov Republic. In 1944, the Nikolsky Church of the churchyard was blown up by the retreating German troops. Today, on the site of its ruins, a worship cross has been erected. On July 24, on the day of St. Olga, a solemn prayer service is served here.

6. In the rank of the Equal-to-the-Apostles, in addition to Princess Olga, only 5 women were glorified: Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Thekla, Martyr Apphia, Empress Elena, and Enlightener of Georgia Nina.
Olga is one of the generic names of the ruling dynasties of Russia. Among the Romanovs, the name Olga as a generic name was introduced by Catherine II.

Self-portrait of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna

7.Sign of St. equal to ap. book. Olga - reward Russian Empire for women for public and civil service. Established by Nicholas II in 1913. The only one awarded is Vera Panaeva, who lost in the First world war three sons.

8. Order of St. equal to ap. book. Olga is an award of the Russian Church. Established in 1988. They are awarded only to women - for merits in church, state and public service.