Russian Russian Orthodox Saint Olga, baptised Elena, went down in history as a wise ruler, enlightener of the Russian land, and the first Russian ruler to convert to Christianity. The Church calls her "the ruler of faith" and "the day before the sun," because her spiritual feat preceded the Baptism of Russia under the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir.
Olga came from Pskov land and became the wife of Grand Duke Igor of Kiev. After his death in 945, she took over the government under her young son Svyatoslav. The Princess showed firmness, statesmanship and the ability to make decisions in the most difficult times for the country.
Olga has done a lot to strengthen the unity of Russia. She streamlined the collection of tribute, established churchyards — administrative, commercial and judicial centers, strengthened cities and borders, developed agriculture and international relations. Her work contributed to the unification of the disparate lands around Kiev and the creation of the foundations of a solid state administration.
However, the main business of the princess' life was the spiritual enlightenment of Russia. Olga understood that the true greatness of the state is impossible without the moral transformation of the people and their conversion to the Christian faith.
In the middle of the 10th century, the princess went to Constantinople. There she saw majestic Christian churches, attended divine services and decided to be baptized. The sacrament of Baptism was performed over her by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the successor, according to legend, was Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. In Baptism, Olga was given the name Elena, in honor of the holy Equal—to-the-Apostles Tsarina Elena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great.
After her Baptism, the princess returned to Russia and began to work zealously for the spread of Christianity. She erected temples, destroyed pagan temples, and preached the faith of Christ by her example. Tradition connects with her name the construction of the churches of St. Sophia and St. Nicholas in Kiev, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vitebsk and the Holy Life-Giving Trinity in Pskov.
The memory of Saint Olga is especially revered in the Pskov land. According to legend, the place for the future Trinity Church was indicated to her by a miraculous ray that descended from the sky. Since then, Pskov has been called the House of the Holy Trinity.
The princess tried to convince her son Svyatoslav to convert to Christianity, but he remained a pagan. Despite this, Olga did not renounce her faith and continued to pray for the enlightenment of Russia. She believed that the Lord would turn the Russian people to Christ in due time.
In the last years of her life, the saint again participated in government. When Kiev was besieged by the Pechenegs, and Prince Svyatoslav was on a campaign, Olga, along with her grandchildren, remained in the city and endured all the hardships of the siege.
The Holy Princess Olga died on July 11, 969. Before her death, she forbade performing a pagan ritual on her and bequeathed to bury herself according to the Christian rite. Her grandson, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, subsequently transferred the relics of the princess to the Tithe Church in Kiev.
Saint Olga's hope was fulfilled: a few decades later, Prince Vladimir was baptized and in 988 he baptized Russia. The seeds of faith sown by his great grandmother bore abundant fruit.
Saint Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, was glorified among the saints as a wise ruler, the creator of the Russian state, and the first great preacher of Christianity in Russia. Her life testifies to the power of faith, capable of transforming not only an individual, but also the fate of an entire nation.
The memory of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga is celebrated on July 24 in the new style.