The reign of Princess Olga (briefly)

The reign of Princess Olga - a brief description

The opinions of researchers differ when it comes to the date and place of birth of Princess Olga. The ancient chronicles do not give us accurate information whether she was from a noble family or from a simple family. Some are inclined to believe that Olga was the daughter of the Grand Duke Prophetic Oleg, others, argue that her family comes from the Bulgarian prince Boris. The author of the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years" directly says that Olga's homeland is a small village near Pskov and that she is "from a simple family."

According to one version, Prince Igor Rurikovich saw Olga in the forest, where he was hunting game. Deciding to cross a small river, the prince asked for help from a girl passing by on a boat, whom he at first mistook for a young man. The girl turned out to be pure in thought, beautiful and smart. Later, the prince decided to take her as his wife.

Princess Olga, after the death of her husband (and also during the reign of Igor in Kyiv) from the Drevlyans, proved to be a firm and wise ruler of Rus'. She dealt with political issues, managed with combatants, governors, complainants, and also received ambassadors. Very often, when Prince Igor went on military campaigns, his duties fell entirely on the shoulders of the princess.

After Igor was killed in 945 for the repeated collection of tribute, Olga cruelly repaid them for the death of her husband, showing unprecedented cunning and will. Three times she killed the Drevlyan ambassadors, after which she gathered an army and went to war against the Drevlyans. After Olga could not take main city Korosten (while the rest of the settlements were completely destroyed), she demanded three sparrows and three doves from each house, and then ordered her soldiers to attach tinder to the paws of birds, set it on fire and release the birds. Burning birds flew to their nests. So Korosten was taken.

After the pacification of the Drevlyans, the princess took up tax reform. She abolished polyudia and divided it into areas of land, for each "lessons" (a fixed tax) were established. The main goal of the reforms was to streamline the tribute system, as well as to strengthen state authority.

Also during the reign of Olga, the first stone cities appeared, and her external public policy carried out not by military means, but by diplomacy. Thus, ties with Byzantium and Germany were strengthened.

The princess herself decided to accept Christianity, and although her baptism did not affect Svyatoslav's decision to leave pagan Rus', Vladimir continued her work.

Olga died in 969 in Kyiv, and in 1547 she was canonized as a saint.

Princess Olga was the very first ruler who converted to Christianity. Moreover, this happened even before the baptism of Rus'.

She ruled the state from hopelessness, since her husband, Prince Igor, was killed, and his heir, their son Svyatoslav, was still too small to rule. She ruled from 945 to 962.

After the murder of Prince Oleg, the Drevlyansky Prince Mal really wanted to take his place. His plans were to marry Princess Olga and capture Kievan Rus. He sent her a lot of gifts and jewelry through his ambassadors.

Olga was very smart and cunning. The first ambassadors of Mala, who sailed on a boat, she ordered to be carried along with the boat over the abyss, the ambassadors were thrown into the abyss and they were buried alive.

Olga burned the second batch of ambassadors in the bathhouse. Then she herself went to the prince of the Drevlyans, allegedly to get married, on that day more than 5,000 Drevlyans were drunk and killed.

The reign of Princess Olga.

Activities of Princess Olga.

Olga was inspired by the thought that she needed to take revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband.

She was going on a military campaign. It was 946. The siege of the Drevlyans continued almost all summer. In this case, Olga showed the strength of mighty Rus'. After the siege, she sent a message that they were retreating, but asking the inhabitants to give them a dove and three sparrows from each Drevlyan. Then the birds were tied with lit tinder and released. So the city of Iskorosten was completely burned.

Domestic policy and reforms of Princess Olga.

Olga systematized the collection of taxes from the population. She organized special places for collecting tribute, which were called churchyards. The princess was actively engaged in urban planning and beautification of the territory.

All the lands that were in the power of the princess were divided by her into administrative units. Each unit was assigned its manager - tiun.

The foreign policy of Princess Olga.

Since Olga was still a woman, she rarely went on hikes. She developed the trade with her mind and quick wits. Olga was a supporter of a peaceful solution to the conflicts that arose. Scandinavians and Germans went to work as hired workers in the Russian troops.

Grand Duchess Olga

After the murder of Prince Igor, the Drevlyans decided that from now on their tribe was free and they could not pay tribute to Kievan Rus. Moreover, their prince Mal made an attempt to marry Olga. Thus, he wanted to seize the throne of Kiev and single-handedly rule Russia. For this purpose, an embassy was assembled, which was sent to the princess.

The ambassadors brought with them rich gifts.

Mal hoped for the cowardice of the "bride" and that she, having accepted expensive gifts, will agree to share the Kiev throne with him.

At this time, Grand Duchess Olga was raising her son Svyatoslav, who, after the death of Igor, could claim the throne, but was still too small.

Governor Asmud took over the guardianship of the young Svyatoslav. The princess herself took up state affairs. In the fight against the Drevlyans and other external enemies, she had to rely on her own cunning and prove to everyone that a country that had previously been ruled only by the sword could be ruled by a woman's hand.

The war of Princess Olga with the Drevlyans

Accepting the ambassadors, Grand Duchess Olga showed cunning. By her order, the boat on which the ambassadors sailed , lifted up and carried into the city along the abyss.

At one point, the boat was thrown into the abyss. The ambassadors were buried alive. Then the princess sent a message with her consent to the marriage. Prince Mal believed in the sincerity of the message, deciding that his ambassadors had achieved their goal.

He gathered noble merchants and new ambassadors to Kyiv. According to the ancient Russian custom, a bath was prepared for the guests. When all the ambassadors were inside the bath, all exits from it were closed, and the building itself was burned. After that, a new message was sent to Mal, that the "bride" was going to him. The Drevlyans prepared a luxurious feast for the princess, which, at her request, took place not far from the grave of her husband, Igor.

The princess demanded that as many Drevlyans as possible be present at the feast. The prince of the Drevlyans did not mind, believing that this only increased the prestige of his fellow tribesmen.

All guests were drunk to satiety. After that, Olga gave a signal to her warriors and they killed everyone who was there. In total, about 5,000 Drevlyans were killed that day.

In 946 Grand Duchess Olga organizes a military campaign against the Drevlyans.

The essence of this campaign was a show of force. If earlier they were punished by cunning, now the enemy had to feel military power Rus'. The young Prince Svyatoslav was also taken on this campaign. After the first battles, the Drevlyans retreated to the cities, the siege of which lasted almost the entire summer. By the end of the summer, the defenders received a message from Olga that she was fed up with revenge and no longer wants it.

She only asked for three sparrows, and also one dove from every inhabitant of the city. The Drevlyans agreed. Having accepted the gift, the princess's team tied an already lit sulfur tinder to the paws of the birds. After that, all the birds were released. They returned to the city, and the city of Iskorosten plunged into a huge fire. The townspeople were forced to flee the city, and fell into the hands of the warriors of Rus'. Grand Duchess Olga condemned the elders to death, some to slavery. On the whole, the murderers of Igor were subjected to an even heavier tribute.

Acceptance of Orthodoxy by Olga

Olga was a pagan, but often visited Christian cathedrals, noticing the solemnity of their rites.

This, as well as Olga's extraordinary mind, which allowed her to believe in God Almighty, was the reason for baptism. In 955, Grand Duchess Olga went to the Byzantine Empire, in particular to the city of Constantinople, where the adoption of a new religion took place.

The patriarch himself was her baptist. But this was not the reason for the change of faith in Kievan Rus. This event did not alienate the Russians from paganism. Having adopted the Christian faith, the princess left the administration of the state, devoting herself to serving God.

She also helped with the construction Christian churches. The baptism of the ruler did not yet mean the baptism of Rus', but it was the first step towards the adoption of a new faith.

The Grand Duchess died in 969 in Kyiv.

History of Russia / Princess Olga /

The reign of Princess Olga (briefly)

The reign of Princess Olga - a brief description

The opinions of researchers differ when it comes to the date and place of birth of Princess Olga.

The ancient chronicles do not give us accurate information whether she was from a noble family or from a simple family. Some are inclined to believe that Olga was the daughter of the Grand Duke Oleg the Prophet, while others argue that her family comes from the Bulgarian prince Boris. The author of the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years" directly says that Olga's homeland is a small village near Pskov and that she is "from a simple family."

According to one version, Prince Igor Rurikovich saw Olga in the forest, where he was hunting game.

Deciding to cross a small river, the prince asked for help from a girl passing by on a boat, whom he at first mistook for a young man. The girl turned out to be pure in thought, beautiful and smart.

Later, the prince decided to take her as his wife.

Princess Olga, after the death of her husband (and also during the reign of Igor in Kyiv) from the Drevlyans, proved to be a firm and wise ruler of Rus'. She dealt with political issues, managed with combatants, governors, complainants, and also received ambassadors. Very often, when Prince Igor went on military campaigns, his duties fell entirely on the shoulders of the princess.

After Igor was killed in 945 for the repeated collection of tribute, Olga cruelly repaid them for the death of her husband, showing unprecedented cunning and will.

Three times she killed the Drevlyan ambassadors, after which she gathered an army and went to war against the Drevlyans. After Olga was unable to take the main city of Korosten (while the rest of the settlements were completely destroyed), she demanded three sparrows and three doves from each house, and then ordered her soldiers to attach tinder to the paws of birds, set it on fire and let the birds go.

Burning birds flew to their nests. So Korosten was taken.

After the pacification of the Drevlyans, the princess took up tax reform. She abolished polyudia and divided it into areas of land, for each "lessons" (a fixed tax) were established. The main goal of the reforms was to streamline the tribute system, as well as to strengthen state authority.

Also during the reign of Olga, the first stone cities appeared, and her foreign state policy was carried out not with the help of military methods, but with diplomacy.

Thus, ties with Byzantium and Germany were strengthened.

The princess herself decided to accept Christianity, and although her baptism did not affect Svyatoslav's decision to leave pagan Rus', Vladimir continued her work.

Olga died in 969 in Kyiv, and in 1547 she was canonized as a saint.

Interesting materials:

Education

Politics of Princess Olga. Olga's foreign and domestic policy

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna ruled in Kievan Rus after the death of her husband Igor Rurikovich and until the coming of age of her son Svyatoslav. She converted to Christianity with the name Elena.

History has not preserved information about the princess's date of birth, but the Book of Degrees says that she died presumably at the age of eighty. The impeccable and wise policy of Princess Olga made her famous historical figure practically all over the world.

life path

There is no reliable information about the place of her birth.

Chroniclers and modern historians put forward a variety of assumptions in this regard. As close as possible to the truth is the statement of Nestor the Chronicler in The Tale of Bygone Years that she comes from a simple family that lived in the small village of Vybuty, located on Pskov land. But no matter where Olga was born and no matter what tribe she belongs to, the wisdom of her policies and deeds are an integral part of Slavic history.

Before the death of Igor, there is practically no information about the princess.

The death of her husband put her in first place in the life of Kievan Rus, because Svyatoslav was three years old, and, of course, he was not fit to be a prince. She took over the management of the state, which was at that time in an extremely difficult situation, and for 19 years completely coped with all the problems. External and domestic politics Olga created a single state with international authority.

Revenge on the Drevlyans

The first revenge of the princess was the burial of the Drevlyansk ambassadors alive. The reason for this was their proposal to marry her to their prince Mal. After that, she burned alive in the bathhouse the noble Drevlyans, who arrived after the first.

For the third time, Olga drugged 5,000 of their fellow tribesmen at her husband's feast, after which her small squad killed everyone. The final stage of revenge was the burning of the city of Iskorosten.

In these acts, in addition to cruel revenge, there is also deep meaning. Olga had to show both well-wishers and enemies that she was not a weak woman, but a strong ruler. “The hair is long, and the mind is short,” they said about women in those days.

Therefore, she was forced to clearly demonstrate her wisdom and knowledge of military affairs in order to prevent the emergence of any conspiracies behind her back. For the second time, the princess did not want to get married, she preferred to remain a widow.

Thus, it became clear that Olga's foreign and domestic policy would be wise and fair. Essentially, this bloody revenge was aimed at abolishing the power of the Mala dynasty, subordinating the Drevlyans to Kyiv and suppressing the nobility from neighboring principalities.

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Reforms and introduction of Christianity

After taking revenge on the Drevlyans, the princess established clear rules for collecting tribute.

This helped prevent outbreaks of discontent, one of which resulted in the murder of her husband. Near big cities graveyards were introduced. It was in these administrative and economic cells that the authorities collected tribute.

Olga's foreign and domestic policy has always been aimed at the centralization of state administration, as well as the unification and strengthening of Russian lands.

The construction of not only the Church of St. Nicholas, but also the St. Sophia Church in Kyiv is associated with the name of Olga.

Olga's foreign and domestic policy characterizes her not as a defenseless woman, but as a strong and reasonable ruler who firmly and confidently holds power over whole country. She wisely defended her people from ill-wishers, for which people loved and respected her.

In addition to the fact that the ruler had big amount already named positive qualities, she was still attentive and generous to the poor people.

Domestic politics

While the empress was in power, peace and order reigned in Kievan Rus.

The internal policy of Princess Olga was closely intertwined with the dispensation of the spiritual and religious life of the Russian people.

One of her most important achievements was the introduction of organized tribute collection points, on which later, after the ruler adopted Christianity, the first churches and temples began to be erected on the sites of graveyards. Since then, the development stone construction. The first such buildings were the country tower and the city palace, which belonged to the empress.

The remains of their walls and foundations were excavated by archaeologists only in the early 70s of the XX century.

The domestic policy of Princess Olga is inextricably linked with the strengthening of the country's defense. Cities then literally overgrown with oak and stone walls.

Relations with neighboring principalities

Olga's foreign policy deserves special attention.

The table below contains the main deeds of the princess.

When the ruler established the state of affairs within Kievan Rus, she set about strengthening the international prestige of her country. The foreign policy of Princess Olga was diplomatic, in contrast to her husband.

At the beginning of her reign, she converted to Christianity, and her godfather became a Byzantine emperor.

Basically, the foreign policy of Princess Olga was aimed at improving relations with Byzantium.

And she did it well. For the sake of which part of the Russian squad participated together with the Byzantine army in hostilities, while maintaining the independence of their state.

In 968 Kyiv was attacked by the Pechenegs. The defense of the city was led by the princess herself, thanks to which he was spared from the siege.

During the reign of Olga, conditions were formed that created the advantage of conducting a peaceful foreign policy before the military, if there was a need for it.

Attempts to establish relations with the German Empire

Over time, friendly relations with Byzantium began to weaken, and Olga decided to find a strong ally.

She stopped her choice in Germany.

In 959, the princess sent a Russian embassy to Otto I with a request to provide priests for the introduction of Christianity in the Kyiv lands, as well as with an offer of friendship and peace.

He responded to Olga's calls, and in 961 several clergy led by Adalbert arrived to her.

True, they did not succeed in expanding their activities on Kyiv territory, since at the end of her life Olga no longer had such influence as before.

In 964, power passed to Svyatoslav, who radically changed the tactics of state policy.

And, I must say, not for the better.

She was called "the head of the faith" and "the root of Orthodoxy", since it was she who became the forerunner of Christianity in Rus'. A number of researchers suggest that the wife of Prince Igor Princess Olga was baptized 1059 years ago. There is also a strong opinion that the Equal-to-the-Apostles princess was baptized in Kiev in 955 (since this plot is described in detail in The Tale of Bygone Years exactly under 955), and she undertook a trip to Byzantium in 957, being a Christian. Documentary historical sources do not give an unambiguous answer to this question.

Life tells the story of Olga’s work in this way: “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, with her own people loved 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 evil, rewarding everyone in proportion to the dignity of his deeds, in all matters of management she showed foresight and wisdom. Olga, merciful at heart, was generous to the poor, wretched and needy; just requests soon reached her heart, and she quickly fulfilled them ... pure widowhood, observing princely power to her son until the days of his age. When the latter matured, she handed over to him all the affairs of government, and herself, having abstained from rumors and cares, lived outside the worries of management, indulging in the deeds of doing good."

The author of the "Book of Powers" writes: "Her feat was that she learned true God. Not knowing the Christian law, she lived a pure and chaste life, and 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.

The Monk Nestor the chronicler narrates: "Blessed Olga from an early age sought wisdom, which is the best thing in this world, and found a valuable pearl - Christ."

Having entrusted Kyiv to her grown son Svyatoslav, Olga set off with a large fleet to Constantinople. Old Russian chroniclers will call this deed of Olga "walking", it combined a religious pilgrimage, a diplomatic mission, and a demonstration of the military might of Rus'. “Olga wanted to go to the Greeks herself in order to look with her own eyes at the Christian service and be fully convinced of their teaching about the true God,” says the life of St. Olga.

The Sacrament of Baptism was performed over her by Patriarch Theophylact of Constantinople (933-956), and Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus (912-959) became the recipient from the font (godfather), who left in his essay "On the Ceremonies of the Byzantine Court" a detailed description of the ceremonies in during Olga's stay in Constantinople. At one of the receptions, the princess was presented with a golden dish adorned with precious stones. Olga donated it to the sacristy of Hagia Sophia, where she saw and described it at the beginning of the 13th century. Russian diplomat Dobrynya Yadreykovich, later Archbishop Anthony of Novgorod: "The dish is great golden service of Olga the Russian, when she took tribute, going to Tsargrad: in Olga's dish is a precious stone, Christ is written on the same stone."

The Patriarch blessed the newly baptized 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, and Olga, the noble princess, accepted it."(After the conquest of Kyiv by the Lithuanians, Holgin's cross was stolen from St. Sophia Cathedral and taken by Catholics to Lublin. Its further fate is unknown.) At baptism, the princess was honored with the name of St. Helena Equal to the Apostles ( ancient Greek "torch". - CM.), who worked hard to spread Christianity in the vast Roman Empire and acquired the Life-Giving Cross, on which the Lord was crucified.

Olga returned to Kyiv with icons, liturgical books, and most importantly, with a firm determination to convert her people to Christianity. She erected a temple in the name of St. Nicholas over the grave of Askold, the first Kyiv Christian prince. With the preaching of faith, she went to her native North, to the Pskov lands, where she was from. Indeed, it is the Pskov village of Vybuty (up from Pskov along the Velikaya River) that gave the “wonderful girl” who converted to Christianity three decades before the baptism of Rus' by her grandson Vladimir. The Joachim Chronicle specifies that Olga (Helga, Volga) belonged to the family of the princes of Izborsk, one of the ancient Russian princely dynasties.

Saint Olga marked the beginning of a special veneration in Rus' of the Most Holy Trinity. 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 her companions, who were witnesses of the vision, Olga said prophetically: “Let 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 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, which has since been called the "House of the Holy Trinity". By mysterious ways of spiritual succession, through four centuries, this veneration was transmitted Saint Sergius Radonezh.

The maternal efforts of Princess Olga had a dramatic and even tragic result: a completely successful warrior, her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, on his orders, Olga's nephew Gleb was killed. Olga bitterly blamed her son "... I regret that although I taught a lot and urged you to leave idol wickedness, to believe in the true God, known by me, and you neglect this, and I know that for your disobedience to me, 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 went to Tsargrad gold to to His Holiness the 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. On the eve of her death, blessed Olga fell into extreme exhaustion, took communion; all the time she remained in fervent prayer to God and the Most Pure Mother of God; called all the saints; with special zeal she prayed for the enlightenment of the Russian land after her death; foreseeing 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 before her death.

On July 11, 969, Saint Olga died, "and her son and grandchildren, and all the people wept for her with great weeping." Presbyter Gregory fulfilled her will exactly.

Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga was canonized at the council of 1547, which confirmed her widespread veneration in Rus' as far back as the pre-Mongol era.

God glorified the "leader of the faith" in the Russian land with miracles and incorruptible relics. Under Holy Prince Vladimir, the relics of St. Olga were transferred to the Tithe Church of the Dormition Holy Mother of God and laid in a shrine, in which it was customary to place the relics of saints in the Orthodox East. There was a window in the church wall above the tomb of St. Olga; and if someone with faith came to the relics, he saw them through the window, and some saw the radiance emanating from them, and many who were possessed by diseases received healing. But for those who came with little faith, the window did not open, and he could not see the relics, but only the coffin.

Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga became the spiritual mother of the Russian people; through her, their enlightenment with the light of the faith of Christ began. Undoubtedly, the historian N. M. Karamzin is right, who attributed the princess to the first Russian pilgrims.

Illustrations: Princess Olga (artist Bruni); Baptism book. Olga (B. A. Chorikov (1807-1840s), graduate of the Academy of Arts); Princess Olga (artist Vasnetsov); monument to Prince Olga in Kyiv (the project of 1911 restored in 1996 by sculptors I. P. Kavaleridze and F. P. Balavensky, photo by the author); monument to Prince Olga in Pskov (sculptor V. Klykov, 2003).

Biography

Princess Olga is the ruler of the Old Russian state. Wife of Igor Stary and mother of Svyatoslav. She converted to Christianity and was recognized as a saint. She is also known for her administrative reform and revenge on the rebellious Drevlyans.

Olga - biography (biography)

Olga is a historically attested ruler of the Old Russian state. She took power in Kievan Rus after the death of her husband, the prince, and led the country until the beginning independent government his son Prince Svyatoslav (946 - c. 964).

Olga began to govern the state in the difficult conditions of the struggle against the separatism of the tribal princes, who sought to break away from Kyiv or even lead Rus' instead of the Rurik dynasty. The princess suppressed the uprising of the Drevlyans and carried out an administrative reform in the country in order to streamline the collection of tribute by Kiev from subordinate tribes. Now everywhere locals themselves at the appointed time brought tribute of a certain amount (“lessons”) to special items- camps and graveyards. Representatives of the grand duke's administration were constantly here. Her foreign policy activities were also successful. Active diplomatic relations with Byzantium and Germany led to the recognition of Rus' as a subject international law, and herself - equal to other sovereigns. From the system of a military campaign - a peace treaty, Olga moved on to building long-term constructive relationships with other states.

Princess Olga was the first of the ruling princes of Kyiv to accept Christianity long before official baptism Old Russian state and was subsequently recognized as a saint and Equal-to-the-Apostles.

A princely family or a carrier's daughter?

The origin of the Grand Duchess of Kyiv Olga, due to the inconsistency of information from Russian sources, is ambiguously interpreted by researchers. The life of Saint Olga testifies to her humble origin, she lived in the village of Vybuty not far from. And according to other sources, she was the daughter of a simple boatman. When Olga was transporting Igor across the river, the prince liked her so much that he then decided to take her as his wife.

But in the Typographic Chronicle, the version "from the Germans" was transmitted that Olga was the daughter of the prince, namely, according to many chronicles, he chose Igor's wife. In the story of the Joachim Chronicle, Prince Oleg picked up Igor's wife in, from known kind. The girl's name was Prekrasa, Prince Oleg himself renamed her Olga.

The Russian scientist D. I. Ilovaisky and some Bulgarian researchers, based on the news of the later Vladimir Chronicle, the author of which accepted old Russian name Pskov (Plesnesk) for the name of the Bulgarian Pliska, suggested the Bulgarian origin of Olga.

The age of the bride, indicated in the annals, varied from 10 to 12 years, and in this regard, the date of Olga's marriage, 903, noted in the Tale of Bygone Years, causes bewilderment for researchers. Her son, Svyatoslav, was born c. 942, a few years before the death of Igor. It turns out that Olga decided on the birth of the first heir at a very respectable age for this? Apparently, Olga's marriage took place much later than the date indicated by the chronicler.

As a young girl, Olga impressed the prince and his entourage with her abilities. “Wise and meaningful,” the chroniclers wrote about her. But in full measure, Olga as a person first declared herself after the death of Prince Igor.

Fatal riddles for the Drevlyans

In 945, while trying to collect tribute from the Drevlyane tribe for the second time in a row, the Kiev prince was brutally killed. The Drevlyans sent an embassy to Olga with an offer to marry their prince Mal. The fact that the Drevlyans wooed a widow for the murderer of her husband was in full accordance with the ancient pagan tribal remnants. But it wasn't just making amends. Apparently, Mal in a similar way - through his marriage to Olga, claimed the grand ducal power.

However, Olga was not going to either forgive the murderers of her husband, or part with sole power. Chronicles convey a colorful legend about her fourfold revenge on the Drevlyans. Researchers have long come to the conclusion that the chronicle description of the massacre committed by Olga shows the ritual nature of all her actions. In fact, the ambassadors of the Drevlyans became living participants in the funeral rite on their own, they did not understand the hidden meaning of appeals to them and Olga's requests for each of the revenge. Time after time, the princess, as it were, asked the Drevlyans a riddle, without solving which, they doomed themselves to a painful death. In this way, the chronicler wanted to show Olga's mental superiority and moral correctness in the revenge she had planned.

Three revenges of Olga

Olga's first revenge. The ambassadors of the Drevlyans were ordered to arrive at the princess's court neither on foot nor on horseback, but in a boat. Rook - a traditional element of the pagan funeral rite of many peoples Northern Europe. The Drevlyansky ambassadors, who did not suspect anything, were carried in a boat, thrown along with it into deep hole and buried them alive in the earth.

Olga's second revenge. The princess told the Drevlyans that she deserved a more representative embassy than the first, and soon a new Drevlyan delegation appeared at her court. Olga said that she wanted to show high honors to the guests and ordered them to heat the bathhouse. When the Drevlyans entered the bathhouse, they were locked outside and burned alive.

Olga's third revenge. The princess with a small retinue came to the Drevlyane land and, announcing that she wanted to celebrate a feast at the grave of Prince Igor, invited her to " best husbands» drevlyans. When the latter became very drunk, Olga's warriors cut them with swords. According to the chronicle, 5 thousand Drevlyans were killed.

Did Olga's fourth revenge take place?

It is curious, but not all chronicles report on the most, perhaps, the most famous, fourth in a row, Olga's revenge: the burning of the main city of the Drevlyans, Iskorosten, with the help of sparrows and pigeons. Olga besieged Iskorosten with a large army, but she could not take it. During the ensuing negotiations with the inhabitants of Iskorosten, Olga suggested that they give her only birds as a tribute. As is clear from the text in the Chronicler of Pereyaslavl of Suzdal, she explained to the Drevlyans that she needed doves and sparrows to perform the rite of sacrifice. Pagan rites with birds were common at that time for the Rus.

The episode with the burning of Iskorosten is absent from the Novgorod First Chronicle, dating back to the oldest of the chronicles, the Initial Code of the 1090s. Researchers believe that the editor of the Tale of Bygone Years independently introduced it into his text in order to show the final victory of Olga and, most importantly, to explain how Kiev's power was re-established over the entire land of the Drevlyans.

Was Prince Mal rejected?

Paradoxical as it may seem, such a question may arise. When describing Olga's four-stage revenge, the chronicles are silent about the fate of the Drevlyansk prince Mal, who so unsuccessfully wooed Igor's widow. Nowhere does it say that he was killed.

famous explorer A. A. Shakhmatov identified Malk Lubechanin, mentioned in the annals, with the Drevlyansk prince Mal. The entry under 970 says that this Malk was the father of the famous Malusha and Dobrynya. Malusha was Olga's housekeeper, from Svyatoslav she gave birth to the future great Kiev prince and baptist of Rus'. Dobrynya, according to the chronicle, was Vladimir's uncle and his tutor.

In historiography, the hypothesis of A. A. Shakhmatov was not popular. It seemed that Mal after the turbulent events in 945-946. must disappear forever from the pages of Russian history. But the story with Mal acquires curious parallels in the story of the Bulgarian chronicle Gazi-Baradj (1229-1246). The Bulgarian chronicler describes the vicissitudes of Olga's struggle with Mal. Olga's army is victorious, and the Drevlyansky prince is captured. Olga liked him so much that for some time they installed, as they would say now, romantic relationship. Time passes, and Olga learns about love affair Mala is with one of her "noble family" servants, but generously lets them both go.

Forerunner of Christian Rus'

And Mal is not the only one of the ruling persons who was fascinated by the mind and beauty of Olga. Among those who wanted to marry her was even the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (913-959).

The Tale of Bygone Years under 955 tells about the journey of Princess Olga to Constantinople. Olga's embassy had great importance for the Russian state. As N.F. Kotlyar writes, for the first time in the history of Rus', its sovereign went to the capital of Byzantium not at the head of an army, but with a peaceful embassy, ​​with a predetermined program for future negotiations. This event was reflected not only in Russian sources, but also in many Byzantine and German chronicles, described in great detail in the work of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, called "On the ceremonies of the Byzantine court."

Researchers have long argued whether there was one embassy or two (946 and 955), they also dispute the annalistic date of 955. The famous scientist A.V. Nazarenko convincingly proved that Olga made one trip to the residence of the Byzantine emperor, but it took place in 957 .

Constantine VII, "marveled at the beauty and intelligence" of the Russian princess, invited her to become his wife. Olga answered the emperor that she was a pagan, but if he wants her to be baptized, then he must baptize her himself. The emperor and the patriarch of Constantinople baptized her, but Olga outwitted the Greek king. When Constantine, according to the chronicle, again offered her to become his wife, the first Russian Christian replied that this was no longer possible: after all, the emperor was now her godfather.

Olga's baptism was held in the main church of the Orthodox world - Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. It was accompanied, as A. V. Nazarenko writes, by the acceptance of Olga into the Byzantine ideal “family of sovereigns” in the high rank of “daughter” of the emperor.

Olga's diplomacy: playing on contradictions

Many researchers believe that church goals (personal baptism and negotiations on the establishment of a church organization on the territory of Rus') were not the only ones during Olga's visit to Constantinople. Moreover, a prominent historian of the Russian Orthodox Church, E. E. Golubinsky, expressed the opinion that Olga was baptized in Kyiv even before her Byzantine trip. Some researchers suggest that by the time of the visit Olga had already received the primary baptism - the announcement, since Byzantine sources mention the priest Gregory among her retinue.

Among the possible political goals of Olga's embassy, ​​historians name the following:

• Receiving a royal (Caesar) title from the emperor, which should have been facilitated by her solemn baptism in St. Sophia Cathedral. Judging by the silence of the sources, this goal, if it was set, was not achieved;
• The conclusion of a dynastic marriage. Perhaps Olga offered to betroth the young Svyatoslav to one of the emperor's daughters. The essay “On Ceremonies” mentions that Svyatoslav was part of the embassy, ​​but from another work of Konstantin Porphyrogenitus “On the Management of the Empire”, one can understand, as N. F. Kotlyar writes, that Olga was decisively refused;
• Revision of the terms of the not very favorable Russian-Byzantine treaty of 945, concluded under Prince Igor.

Probably, a political agreement with Constantinople was reached, since before Svyatoslav came to power (964), the sources contain references to the participation of Russian troops in the Byzantine troops fighting the Arabs.

Olga was apparently dissatisfied with the results of negotiations with Constantinople. This explains the visit by her ambassadors to the German king Otto I in 959. According to the German chronicles, the ambassadors of the "Queen of the Rus" asked the king "to send a bishop and priests to their people." Otto I appointed mission bishop Adalbert to Rus', but his activity was unsuccessful. All researchers consider Olga's appeal to the German king as a means of political pressure on Byzantium. Apparently, this method turned out to be successful: tension in Byzantine-German relations grew and the government of the new Byzantine emperor Roman II preferred to normalize relations with Kiev.

The foreign policy of Princess Olga was quite successful. Influential countries sought an alliance with Russia as an equal. Olga sought to provide a constructive mutually beneficial world, first of all, with Byzantium on long years. According to the researchers, it probably would have been so if in 964 Prince Svyatoslav had not taken power from the aged Olga.

Like a "pearl in the mud"

Svyatoslav, who came to power, had radically different views not only on Christianity (he flatly refused Olga's offer to be baptized), but also on foreign policy activities. Svyatoslav was constantly on campaigns, and the aged Olga spent time in Kyiv in the company of her grandchildren.

In 968 disaster struck. While Svyatoslav was on a campaign on the Danube, conquering the Bulgarian lands, the capital of Rus' was besieged by the Pechenegs. Kyiv prince barely had time to return home to drive off the warlike steppes. But already in the next year, 969, Svyatoslav announced that he wanted to return to the Danube. Olga, who was seriously ill, told her son that she was sick and when he buried her, then let him go wherever he wanted. Three days later, on July 11, 969, Olga died.

In the chronicle story about the burial of Olga, several sources of details sparingly noted by the authors are of great importance at once.

Firstly, Olga forbade the creation of a pagan feast on her own, since she had a priest with her.
Secondly, the princess was buried at the chosen place, but it is not said where. This is explained by the fact that over Olga they no longer poured a barrow, which is usual for the local pagan rite, but buried “even with the ground”.
Thirdly, it is impossible not to pay attention to the addition in the Novgorod First Chronicle (which retained the most ancient basis) to the chronicle story about Olga's burial of the expression "in secret". As D.S. Likhachev notes, the Novgorod First Chronicle considers Princess Olga as a secret Christian.

The story of Russian chroniclers about Olga is imbued with immense respect, great warmth, and ardent love. They call her a harbinger for the Christian land. They write that she shone among the pagans like "pearls in the mud." Not later than the beginning of the 11th century. Princess Olga began to be revered as a saint, in the XIII century. she was already officially canonized, and in 1547 she was canonized as a saint and equal to the apostles. Only 5 women in the history of Christianity were awarded such an honor.

Roman Rabinovich, Ph.D. ist. Sciences,
specially for the portal

According to the earliest ancient Russian chronicle, "The Tale of Bygone Years", Olga was from Pskov. The life of the holy Grand Duchess Olga specifies that she was born in the village of Vybuty, Pskov land, 12 km from Pskov, up the Velikaya River. The names of Olga's parents were not preserved, according to the Life they were not of a noble family, " from the Varangian language". The Varangian origin is confirmed by her name, which corresponds in Old Norse as Helga. The presence of the Scandinavians in those places is marked by a number of archaeological finds dating back to the 1st half of the 10th century.

The typographical chronicle (end of the 15th century) and the later Piskarevsky chronicler convey a rumor that Olga was the daughter of the Prophetic Oleg, who began to rule Kievan Rus as the guardian of the infant Igor, the son of Rurik: “ Netsyi say, like Olga's daughter was Olga» . Oleg married Igor and Olga.

Possibly, in order to resolve this contradiction, the later Ustyug chronicle and the Novgorod chronicle, according to the list of P. P. Dubrovsky, report Olga's 10-year-old age at the time of the wedding. This message contradicts the legend set forth in the Book of Degrees (2nd half of the 16th century) about a chance meeting with Igor at the crossing near Pskov. The prince hunted in those places. While crossing the river in a boat, he noticed that the ferryman was a young girl dressed in men's clothes. Igor immediately burning with desire"And began to pester her, but received a worthy rebuke in response:" 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.". ABOUT casual acquaintance Igor remembered when it was time to look for a bride for himself, and sent Oleg for the girl he fell in love with, not wanting any other wife.

The Novgorod First Chronicle of the younger edition, which contains in the most unchanged form information from the Initial Code of the 11th century, leaves the message about Igor's marriage to Olga undated, that is, the earliest Old Russian chroniclers did not have information about the date of the wedding. It is likely that the year 903 in the text of the PVL arose at a later time, when the monk Nestor tried to bring the initial Old Russian history into chronological order. After the wedding, Olga's name is mentioned again only 40 years later, in the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 944.

The Western European chronicle of the Continuer of Reginon reports under the year 959:

Olga's baptism and church veneration

Princess Olga became the first ruler of Kievan Rus to be baptized, and thus predetermined the adoption of Orthodoxy by all the ancient Russian people.

The date and circumstances of the baptism remain unclear. According to the PVL, this happened in 955 in Constantinople, Olga was personally baptized by Emperor Constantine with the patriarch (Theophylact until 956): “ And she was given the name Elena in baptism, as well as the ancient queen - the mother of Constantine the Great". PVL and Life decorate the circumstances of the baptism with a story about how the wise Olga outwitted the Byzantine king. He, marveling at her intelligence and beauty, wanted to marry Olga, but the princess rejected the claims, noting that it was not appropriate for Christians to marry pagans. It was then that the king and the patriarch baptized her. When the tsar again began to harass the princess, she pointed out that she was now the goddaughter of the tsar. Then he richly endowed her and sent her home.

Only one visit by Olga to Constantinople is known from Byzantine sources. Konstantin Porphyrogenitus described it in detail in the work "The Ceremony", without indicating the year of the event. But he indicated the dates of official receptions: Wednesday, September 9 (on the occasion of Olga's arrival) and Sunday, October 18. This combination also corresponds to 946 years. Attracts attention long stay Olga in Constantinople. When describing the reception, they are called basileus (Konstantin himself) and Roman - purple-born basileus. It is known that Romanos, the son of Constantine, became the formal co-ruler of his father in 945. According to the historian G. G. Litavrin, the visit described by Constantine actually took place in 946, and the baptism took place during the 2nd visit to Constantinople in or 955. The mention of Roman's children at the reception testifies in favor of the year 957, which is considered the generally accepted date for Olga's visit and her baptism.

However, Constantine never mentioned Olga's baptism (as well as the purposes of her visit), and moreover, a certain priest Gregory was named in the princess's retinue, on the basis of which some historians suggest that Olga visited Constantinople already baptized. In this case, the question arises why Konstantin calls the princess by her pagan name, and not by Elena, as the Successor of Reginon did. Another, later Byzantine source (XI century) reports a baptism in Constantinople in the 950s:

“And the wife of a Russian archon who once set sail against the Romans, named Elga, when her husband died, arrived in Constantinople. Baptized and having openly made a choice in favor of the true faith, she, having received the great honor of this choice, returned home.

The successor of Reginon cited above also speaks of baptism in Constantinople, and the mention of the name of Emperor Roman testifies in favor of baptism in 957. The testimony of the Continuer of Reginon can be considered reliable, since under this name, historians believe, Bishop Adalbert wrote, who led an unsuccessful mission to Kyiv in 961 and had first-hand information.

revered	in the Orthodox and Catholic churches
glorified	no later than the thirteenth century
in the face	Equal-to-the-Apostles
Day of Remembrance	July 24 (Gregorian calendar)
works	Preparation for the baptism of Rus'

According to most sources, Princess Olga was baptized in Constantinople in the autumn of 957, and she was baptized, probably by Roman II (son and co-ruler of Emperor Constantine), and Patriarch Polievkt. Olga made the decision to accept the faith in advance, although the chronicle legend presents this as a spontaneous decision. Nothing is known about those people who spread Christianity in Rus'. Most likely, they were Bulgarian Slavs (Bulgaria was baptized in 865), since the influence of Bulgarian vocabulary can be traced in the early Old Russian chronicle texts. The penetration of Christianity into Kievan Rus is evidenced by the mention of the cathedral church of St. Elijah in Kyiv in the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 944.

Revered as the patroness of widows and newly converted Christians.

Historiography according to Olga

The main information on 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 report additional information about Olga, but their authenticity cannot be accurately determined.

The Joachim Chronicle reports the execution by Svyatoslav of his only brother Gleb for his Christian beliefs during the Russian-Byzantine war of 968-971. Gleb could be Igor's son both from Olga and from another wife, since the same chronicle reports that Igor had other wives. The Orthodox faith of Gleb 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” (), spoke about a certain Russian prince Oleg, who became the last king of Moravia in 940 and was expelled from there by the Hungarians in 949. According to Tomasz Peshina, this Oleg Moravsky was Olga's brother.

About the existence of Olga's blood relative, calling him anepsia, Constantine Porphyrogenitus mentioned in the listing of her retinue during a visit to Constantinople in 957. Anepsius meant, most often, a nephew, but also a cousin.

Memory of Saint Olga

• Life calls Olga the founder of the city of Pskov. In Pskov there is the Olginskaya embankment, the Olginskiy bridge, the Olginskaya chapel.
• Orders:
  • The insignia of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga - established by Emperor Nicholas II in 1915.
  • "Order of Princess Olga" - the state award of Ukraine since 1997.
  • "Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga" is an award of the Russian Orthodox Church.
• Monuments to Princess Olga were erected in Kyiv, Pskov and the city of Korosten.

Literature

• Antonov Alexander. The novel "Princess Olga".
• Boris Vasiliev "Olga, Queen of the Russians"
• Viktor Gretkov. "Princess Olga - Bulgarian Princess".
• Mikhail Kazovsky "Daughter of the Empress".
• Kaidash-Lakshina S. N. "Princess Olga".

Cinema

• "The Legend of Princess Olga", USSR, 1983.
• The saga of the ancient Bulgars. The Tale of Olga the Holy”, Russia, 2005.