Olga, Viking Queen of the Rus
Olga, Viking Queen of the Rus
«ВЗЯТИЕ ЦАРЬГРАДА» КНЯГИНЕЙ ОЛЬГОЙ
Olga, the Viking Queen of the Rus
«ВЗЯТИЕ ЦАРЬГРАДА» КНЯГИНЕЙ ОЛЬГОЙ
"THE CAPTURE OF CONSTANTINOPLE" BY PRINCESS OLGA
Reception of Olga by Konstantin Porphyrogenitus (miniature of the Radziwill Chronicle)
Ancient Russia at the dawn of its history was lucky for smart and energetic Rulers. This was shown by Oleg. This was also confirmed by Igor.
After the death of the great warrior Oleg, fragile Russia became disintegrate: the Drevlyans rebelled, seeking to postpone from Kiev, a new Turkic horde approached its borders Pechenegs. But Igor prevented decisive action Both dangers. The Drevlyans were reconquered and besieged tribute, so that Igor became their main enemy. With By the Pechenegs, the prince managed to come to an agreement. Gone are those days, when the cavalry of the steppe dwellers prowled unhindered through Slavic villages. Now a strong The Russian army, and the Pechenegs, considered it a blessing to make peace.
Under Igor, there was a further unification East Slavic tribes. The composition of Russia included The Southwestern tribe of the Ulichi. During the reign of Igor, there was also the official name of Russia is the Russian land. Namely This was the name of the East Slavic state in the treaties Russia with the Greeks. Now all Russian lands, except for the Vyatichi, paid tribute to Kiev.
By that time, Igor, already a mature man, was married to "Varangian" Olga, who belonged to a noble family. Some legends say that Igor I saw her when I was hunting in the Pskov forests, very young, and was captivated by the beauty and intelligence of the girl. Then in Russia it was not yet There was a practice of entering into princely marriages with persons only princely or royal blood, and Olga became a wife Grand Duke. Another thing is also striking: with custom in Russia polygamy, there is no news that Igor had other than Olga and other wives. This already speaks not only of his love and devotion to his only wife, but also about their exceptional human qualities.
The name of the future enlightener of Russia and her homeland "The Tale of Bygone Years" for the first time calls in article about Igor's marriage: "And they brought him a wife from Pskov, in the name of Olga. Joachim's Chronicle clarifies that she belonged to the family of the princes of Izborsk, one of the forgotten ancient Russian princely dynasties, which it was in Russia in the X-XI centuries at least twenty, but all they were eventually supplanted by Rurikovich or became related with them through marriages. Some of the dynasties were local, Slavic origin, others – newcomers, Varangians. It is known that the Scandinavian kings, invited to reign in Russian cities, invariably adopted the Russian language, often Russian names and quickly became real Russians in the image life, and in worldview and even in physical Appearance.
So Igor's wife was called the Varangian name Helga, in Russian pronunciation - Olga, Volga. The female name Olga corresponds to the male Oleg, which means "Holy." Although the pagan understanding of holiness quite different from the Christian, but it also presupposes A person has a special spiritual attitude, chastity and sobriety, intelligence and perspicacity. Uncovering Spiritual Significance name, the people called Oleg the Prophetic, and Olga - the Wise.
Immediately after the death of Prince Igor during the polyudia - collecting tribute from the Drevlyans, his sworn enemies, - The seemingly mighty state was on the brink Collapse. Igor's wife Olga (?–969) remained in Kiev with the young heir Prince Svyatoslav (?–972). The Drevlyans separated from Kiev and stopped paying tribute. However, the Russian elite rallied around Olga and did not only recognized her rights to the throne, or rather the regency until of her son's majority, but also unconditionally supported the princess in all her endeavors.
By that time, Olga was in the prime of her physical and spiritual strength. Her beauty and intelligence were told legends both in Russia and in the surrounding countries, including Byzantium.
From the first steps of her reign, Olga showed herself as decisive, domineering, far-sighted and stern Ruler. First of all, she took revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband, Prince Igor.
The chronicle says that the Drevlyans decided to woo the widowed princess for her prince Mal and sent an embassy to Kiev. In this sentence in the days of tribal law was its meaning. The widow was offered a reparation - a new one her husband, so that she would not avenge the murdered. And Olga She pretended to accept matchmakers with honors. She is invited them to appear the next day at the prince's court, sitting in the boats, which were solemnly to carry princely warriors. She herself ordered in advance to dig up near his palace a deep pit, and when boasting With the honor of the ambassadors, they brought them to the princely court, ordered them to throw off bury them in this pit and bury them alive.
Immediately, Olga demanded that a second embassy be sent. His An equally terrible fate awaited. In Russia before you start negotiations, ambassadors were often offered to take a bath, which was at the same time a sign of care - a rest from a long journey, and ritual purification before meeting with Ruler. As soon as the ambassadors began to ablution, the doors to the The bathhouse was locked and it was on fire. The ambassadors were burned alive.
Finally, Olga herself moved to the Drevlyan land for that, as she assured the Drevlyans, to cope with her husband pagan feast and weep on his grave. When Drevlyansky boyars pretty much drank intoxicating honey, Olga ordered her vigilantes to hack them to death here, at the foot of the mound where her husband was buried.
The pagan Olga took revenge on the pagan Drevlyans in a pagan way, ritually. This triple revenge reproduced East Slavic funeral rites. Funeral in a boat have long been accepted by the Russians. Cremation – incineration - At that time it was practiced in all Russian lands. Also in antiquity, human beings were also accepted sacrifices at the funeral feast for the leader or prince.
Only after that Olga moved to the main city of the Drevlyans Distort your army. In open battle, the Drevlyans were Defeated. The chronicle says that the battle began little Svyatoslav, throwing his spear towards the enemy. The Drevlyans fled and locked themselves behind the walls of the city. Several months besieged by the people of Kiev, desperately resisting Iskorosten and captured him only with the help of cunning. They They asked the Drevlyans for a light tribute: three sparrows and three a pigeon from every yard, promising to go home after that. As soon as the tribute was delivered, the people of Kiev tied to smoldering tinder to the paws of birds and released them into the wild, into their own nests - under the roofs of houses, sheds, barns. Coming soon The city was on fire, and immediately the besiegers went on an attack.
The struggle for the unity of Russia, for subordination to a single center - Kiev - tribes torn apart by mutual enmity and the principalities paved the way for final victory Christianity in the Russian land. For Olga, still a pagan, There was a church community and its heavenly patron, the prophet God's Elijah, who with fiery faith and prayer brought down the fire with Sky. And Olga's victory over the Drevlyans, despite the severity the winner, was the victory of the new - Christian and the creative forces in Russian state over the forces pagan – dark and destructive.
Olga again imposed a heavy tribute on the defeated Drevlyans. The unity of the state was restored. Children of the executed person Prince Mal - Dobrynya and Malusha - Olga took to for their upbringing.
But it was not only by cruel punishments and force that she established her Olga's power in Russia. As smart and far-sighted The ruler she understood that the former polyudye with his violence, sometimes with unlimited extortion causes in people are dissatisfied, and this threatens the very existence of the young state. And the Grand Duchess went for reforms "She changed the system of collecting tribute, starting with Drevlyansky land. Now for the subjects were defined Firm norms of tribute and special places are indicated – churchyards, where tribute was to be brought annually by themselves Population. There she was received by representatives of the princely administration and sent to Kiev. Then Olga moved with squad in other Russian lands and everywhere established new norms, they were called lessons in Russia, and established graveyards. It was the end of the polyudia and the beginning of the organized taxation systems. So, according to the chronicle, The conflict between the authorities and the subjects ended with the fact that The state has taken another step in its development.
The churchyards arranged by Olga, being financial, administrative and judicial centers, represented a strong support of princely power on the ground. Being first of all, in the very sense of the word, centers trade and exchange ("guest" - merchant), Gathering and organizing around themselves the population, the churchyards became the most important cell of ethnic and cultural unification of the Russian people.
Later, when Olga became a Christian, the churchyards became to erect the first temples. After the baptism of Rus under the saint Vladimir's churchyard and church (parish) became inseparable Concepts. (Only later from those that existed near temples, cemeteries, the use of words appeared "churchyard" in the sense of "cemetery.")
Princess Olga put a lot of work to strengthen the defense power of the country. Cities were built up and strengthened. Vyshgorods (or detintsy, kromy) were overgrown with stone and oak walls (visors), bristling with ramparts, palisades. The Princess herself, knowing how hostile she is Many related to the idea of strengthening princely power and unification of Russia, lived constantly "on the mountain", over the Dnieper, behind the reliable visors of Kiev Vyshgorod (Upper Town), surrounded by a loyal retinue. Two-thirds The collected tribute, according to the chronicle, she gave to The order of the Kiev veche, the third part went "to Olga, to Vyshgorod "- for the needs of the military Buildings.
Having established order in Russia, Olga turned to the external Policy. She had to show that times of turmoil are not shook the strength and international authority of Russia. By the time Olga's historians attribute the establishment of the first state Russia's borders in the west, with Poland. Bogatyrskie zastavy na the south guarded the peaceful fields of the people of Kiev from the peoples of the Wild Field. Foreigners hurried to Gardarika ("the country cities"), as they called Russia, with goods and needlework. The Swedes, the Danes, the Germans willingly joined mercenaries in the Russian army. Foreign relations were expanding Kiev. This contributed to the development of stone construction in the city, the beginning of which was laid by Princess Olga. New The Russian government sought to confirm the old treaties with neighbors, develop trade and political relations with other countries and, above all, with the Byzantine empire, one of the most powerful and authoritative states in the world of that time.
But not only the strengthening of statehood and development economic forms of people's life attracted attention a wise princess. Even more urgent seemed to her radical transformation of the religious life of Russia, spiritual The transformation of the Russian people. Russia was becoming great Power. Only two European states could in those years to compete with it in significance and power: in the east of Europe – the ancient Byzantine Empire, in the west – Kingdom of the Saxons.
The experience of both countries, which owe their elevation to the spirit Christian teaching, the religious foundations of life, showed it is clear that the path to the future greatness of Russia lies not so much through the military, but above all and mainly through spiritual conquests and achievements.
Entrusting Kiev to her grown-up son Svyatoslav, Princess Olga in the summer of 954 she went with a large fleet to Constantinople. It was a peaceful "walk" that combined tasks religious pilgrimage and diplomatic mission, but Political considerations demanded that it become at the same time a manifestation of the military power of Russia on The Black Sea, reminded the proud Romans of the victorious campaigns of both Askold and Oleg, who nailed in 907 his shield on the gates of Constantinople.
The result was achieved. The appearance of the Russian fleet on The Bosphorus created the necessary prerequisites for development friendly Russian-Byzantine dialogue. Olga was adopted at the highest rank. The famous Byzantine emperor, writer, major diplomat Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus gave a dinner in her honor. A reception of the Princess was held and the Empress. In the course of the conversations, the emperor and Olga confirmed the validity of the previous treaty concluded by the prince Igor, and the military alliance of the two states. This union from now on was directed against Khazaria and the Arab Caliphate, whose armies were advancing on Byzantium from the East.
In turn, the southern capital struck the stern daughter of the North a variety of colors, splendor of architecture, mixing languages and peoples of the world. But a special impression produced a wealth of Christian churches and collected in they are shrines. Constantinople, the "reigning city" of the Byzantine Empire, even at the very foundation (more precisely, resumption in 330) dedicated to the Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine the Great to the Most Holy Theotokos (this event was celebrated in the Church of Constantinople on May 11 and passed from there to the Russian mesyaslov), aspired in everything to be worthy of your heavenly patroness. Russian The princess was present at the divine service in the best churches Constantinople – Hagia Sophia, Blachernae Church and Other.
An important issue of Olga's talks in Constantinople was Baptism of the Russian princess.
By the end of the IX - the beginning of the X century, almost all large the states of Western Europe, as well as part of the peoples The Balkan Peninsula and the Caucasus adopted Christianity. Some did it under the pressure of papal Rome, others under the influence of the Byzantine Empire, which competed among themselves, including for the right to baptize peoples, and means spreading its influence. Christianity introduced states and peoples to a new civilization, enriched them spiritual culture, raised to a higher level the prestige of baptized statesmen. Not by chance the peoples of Western Europe, who accepted tillering for 300-600 years before the peoples of Eastern Europe, far ahead of them and its development. But everywhere this process was painful, since it meant the rejection of the pagan religion of the ancestors.
Olga, being a perspicacious ruler, understood that Further strengthening of the country is impossible without the adoption of Christianity, without the guidance of God. But it is at the same time She was also aware of the power of paganism, the commitment of the people to it. Therefore, she chose a cautious path, deciding to be baptized herself and Thus, set an example for others. That's exactly what they did English, and later Swedish and Norwegian kings. Together With the one she had someone to rely on. In major cities, among There were already a lot of enlightened merchants, townspeople, and some of the boyars people who departed from paganism and became Christians.
In addition, for Olga, baptism was not only a matter politics, but also the answer to many questions of conscience. She is She went through a lot: the tragic death of her husband, bloody the massacre of enemies, the burning of the capital of the Drevlyans - all It does not pass without a trace for the human soul. But Olga always strived for righteousness, tried to be fair, humane, tolerant of people.
The sacrament of baptism was performed in St. Sophia Cathedral – the main temple of Byzantium. Godfather of the Princess Olga became the emperor himself, and baptized her by Constantinople Patriarch Theophylact. In baptism, she was given the name Elena in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Helena, mother of the saint Constantine, who found the Honorable Tree of the Cross of the Lord. Name Helena was also worn by the Byzantine empress - his wife Constantine Porphyrogenitus.
In the edifying word uttered after the ceremony, Patriarch Theophylact said: "Blessed are you in wives Russians, for she left the darkness and loved the light. Bless you are Russian people in all future generations, from grandchildren and great-grandchildren to your most distant descendants." He He instructed the newly-enlightened princess in the truths of the faith, church charter and prayer rule, explained the commandments about fasting, chastity and almsgiving. "She's—" writes the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, – inclined and stood like a lip drunk, listening to the teaching, and, bowing to the patriarch, she said: "With prayers Yours, O Lord, may I be preserved from the nets of the enemy.'"
That's right, with a slightly inclined head, depicted St. Olga on one of the frescoes of St. Sophia in Kiev of the cathedral, as well as on the contemporary Byzantine miniature in of the manuscript of the Chronicle of John Skylitza of Madrid National Library. Greek inscription accompanying miniature, calls Olga "archontess (that is, mistress) of the Russes", "wife, Elga by name, who came to King Constantine and was baptized." In The manuscript of the princess is depicted in a special headdress, "As a newly-baptized Christian and an honorary deaconess of the Russian Church". Next to her in the same dress newly-baptized - Malusha, later mother Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir.
Such a hater of Russians as the emperor was Constantine Porphyrogenitus, it was not easy to force to become the godfather of the "Archons of Russia". In The Russian chronicle has preserved stories about how Olga spoke decisively and on equal terms with the emperor and his entourage, surprising the interlocutors with spiritual maturity and statesmanship, showing that the Russian people Under the power to perceive and multiply the highest achievements of the Greek religious genius, the best fruits of Byzantine spirituality and Culture. Thus St. Olga succeeded peacefully "take Constantinople", which he could not do before it not a single commander. According to the chronicle, he The emperor was forced to admit that Olga "hooked" (outwitted) him, and people's memory, combining the legends of the Prophetic Oleg and the Wise Olga captured this spiritual victory in an epic legend "On the capture of Constantinople by Princess Olga."
Constantine Porphyrogenitus in his essay "About ceremonies of the Byzantine court", which has come down to us in the only list, left a detailed description of the ceremonies, accompanying Saint Olga's stay in Constantinople. He describes a solemn reception in the famous chamber Magnavre to the singing of bronze birds and the roar of copper lions, where Olga came with a huge retinue of 108 people (not counting people from Svyatoslav's squad), and negotiations in more a narrow circle in the chambers of the Empress, and a ceremonial dinner in the hall Justinian, where, by coincidence, providentially Four "ladies of state" met: grandmother and mother of Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir (Princess Olga and her companion Malusha) sat at the same table with her grandmother and the mother of his future wife Anna (Empress Helena and her daughter-in-law Theophano).
During one of the receptions, says Konstantin Porphyrogenitus, the Russian princess was presented with gold, A dish decorated with stones. St. Olga donated it to the sacristy of St. Sophia Cathedral, where he saw and described at the beginning XIII century Russian diplomat Dobrynya Yadreikovich (later Archbishop Anthony of Novgorod): "The great golden service dish of Olga Russkaya, when took tribute, going to Constantinople; in the dish of Holguin The stone is precious, on the same stone is written Christ."
As for the diplomatic outcome itself negotiations, St. Olga had reason to stay dissatisfied with them. Having achieved success in questions about Russian trade within the empire and confirmation of peace treaty with Byzantium, concluded by Igor in 944, it could not, however, persuade the emperor to two important for Russ agreements: on the dynastic marriage of Svyatoslav with Byzantine princess and the conditions of restoration the Orthodox Metropolis that existed under Askold in Kiev.
After returning to Kiev, Olga tried to persuade her to Christianity and Svyatoslav, but the son grew up an ardent pagan. He like all his retinue, he worshipped Perun and refused her. An estrangement began between mother and son.
At the same time, despite the failure of efforts to establish in Russia of the church hierarchy, Princess Olga, becoming A Christian, she zealously indulged in the exploits of the Christian evangelism among the Gentiles and church building: "She crushed the temples of demons and began to live in Christ Jesus." She erected temples in Kiev, built Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vitebsk, and The Life-Giving Trinity - in Pskov, above the Velikaya River, At the place indicated to her, according to the testimony of the chronicler, from above "the ray of the Trisional Deity." Pskov from that time began to be called in the chronicles the house of the Holy Trinity.
The Church of St. Sophia – the Wisdom of God in Kiev was founded soon after Olga's return from Constantinople and consecrated on May 11 960 year. This day was subsequently celebrated in the Russian Churches as a special church holiday. The main shrine St. Sophia Church became the holy cross, brought by a new Equal-to-the-Apostles Helena of Constantinople. He blessed her with them Patriarch of Constantinople. The cross, according to legend, was carved from a single piece of the Life-giving Tree of the Lord. On there was an inscription on the cross: "The Russian land will be renewed by the saints cross, it was taken by Olga, the blessed princess.
St. Olga did much to perpetuate the memory of the former Russian confessors of the name of Christ: over the grave of Askold she erected the St. Nicholas Church, where she was later herself buried, above the grave of Dir - St. Sophia Cathedral, which, after standing for half a century, burned down in 1017. Her descendant Yaroslav the Wise built on this site later, in 1050, the Church of St. Irene, and the shrines of the St. Sophia St. Olga's Church transferred to the stone church of the same name - until now standing St. Sophia of Kiev, founded in 1017 and consecrated around 1030. In the Thirteenth-century Prologue St. Olga's cross says: "Who now stands in Kiev in Hagia Sophia in the altar on the right side." The looting of Kiev shrines, continued after Tatar-Mongols by the Lithuanians, who inherited the city in 1341 year, he was not spared either. Under Jogaila during the Lublin period union, which united Poland and Lithuania into one in 1384 state, the Holgin Cross was stolen from St. Sophia Cathedral and taken by the Catholics to Lublin. His further fate Unknown.
Meanwhile, in Kiev, among the boyars and vigilantes, there were a lot of people who hated Princess Olga, who built temples. The zealots of pagan antiquity are becoming bolder and bolder They raised their heads, looking hopefully at the grower Svyatoslav, who resolutely rejected his mother's persuasion to accept Christianity and even angry with her for it. It was necessary to hurry with the conceived work of the baptism of Russia. Guile Byzantium, which was in no hurry to give Russia the right The Christian dispensation was in the hands of the pagans. In search of St. Olga turned her eyes to the West. No There is no contradiction here. Olga also belonged to undivided Church and did not have the opportunity to delve into Theological subtleties of Greek and Latin dogma. The confrontation between the West and the East seemed to her before total political rivalry, secondary to comparison of the urgent task - the creation of the Russian Churches, Christian enlightenment of Russia.
Under the year 959, the German chronicler, called "successor of Reginon", writes: "The ambassadors of Helena, the queen of the Russes, came to the king, who was baptized in Constantinople, and asked to be consecrated for of this people, the bishop and the priests." King Otto, the future founder of the German Empire, willingly responded at Olga's request, but he led the matter slowly, with a purely German thoroughness. Only on Christmas of the following year, 960 Libutius, from the brethren, was appointed bishop of Russia the monastery of St. Alban in Mainz. But he soon died (in 961). In his place was dedicated Adalbert of Trier, whom Otto, "generously supplying with everything necessary," sent, finally, to Russia. It's hard to say what happened Would the king not have delayed so long, but when in 962 Adalbert appeared in Kiev, he "did not have time for anything that for which he was sent, and saw his efforts in vain." Worse, on the way back "Some of his companions were killed, and himself The bishop did not escape mortal danger."
It turned out that over the past two years, as I foresaw Olga, a coup took place in Kiev in favor of supporters paganism and, without becoming either Orthodox or Catholic, Russia generally decided to accept Christianity. Pagans rallied around Svyatoslav, who by that time was for about 20 years. A pagan group eliminated Olga from influence on the affairs of Russia. The young man took full power Svyatoslav.
The pagan reaction manifested itself so strongly that Not only the German missionaries suffered, but also some of the Kiev Christians who were baptized with Olga in Constantinople. By order of Svyatoslav, the nephew of Princess Olga was killed Gleb and destroyed some of the temples built by her. Here is not There was no secret Byzantine diplomacy: Minded against Olga and alarmed by the possibility of strengthening Russia for account of an alliance with Otto, the Greeks preferred to support Gentiles. This happened in the same year 962. But failure Adalbert's mission was of providential importance for the future of the Russian Orthodox Church, which escaped the papal captivity.
St. Olga had to come to terms with what had happened and go completely into matters of personal piety, leaving the reins of government to the pagan Svyatoslav. It's still with her were considered, to her statesmanship invariably appealed in all difficult cases. When Svyatoslav was absent from Kiev, and he spent most of his time in campaigns and wars, the government was again entrusted Princess Mother. But the question of the baptism of Russia was temporary removed from the agenda, and this, of course, upset the saint Olga, who considered the gospel of Christ to be her main work Life.
She meekly endured sorrows and sorrows, tried to help his son in state and military concerns, in his heroic designs. The victories of the Russian army were for her consolation, especially the defeat of the old enemy of the Russian of the state - the Khazar Khaganate. Twice, in 965 and in In 969, Svyatoslav's troops passed through the lands "foolish Khazars", forever crushing the power of the Jewish rulers of the Sea of Azov and the Lower Volga region. The next powerful blow was dealt to Muslim Volga Bulgaria, then it was the turn Bulgaria Danube. There were eighty cities along the Danube Taken by the Kiev squads. One thing bothered Olga: as it were, fascinated by the war in the Balkans, Svyatoslav did not forget about Kiev.
In the spring of 969, Kiev was besieged by the Pechenegs, "and it is impossible It was to take the horse out to drink - the Pechenegs stood on Lybidi". The Russian army was far away - on Danube. Having sent messengers to her son, Saint Olga herself led defense of the capital. Svyatoslav, having received the news, soon rode to Kiev, "greeted his mother and children and lamented what had happened to them from the Pechenegs. But Having defeated the nomads, the militant prince again became to tell my mother: "I don't like to sit in Kiev, I want to live in Pereyaslavets on the Danube - there is the middle of the earth mine." Svyatoslav dreamed of creating a huge the Slavic state from the Danube to the Volga, which united would be Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, the Black Sea region and the Sea of Azov and stretched its limits all the way to Constantinople. Wise Olga I understood that with all the courage and bravery of the Russian squads, they not to cope with the ancient empire of the Romans - Svyatoslav Failure awaited. But the son did not listen to his mother's warnings. Then Saint Olga said: "You see, I am sick. Where to Do you want to get away from me? When you bury me, go wherever you want."
Her days were numbered, her labors and sorrows undermined her strength. 11 In July 969, Saint Olga died, "and they wept for Her son, and her grandchildren, and all men weep great." In recent years, in the midst of the triumph of paganism, she, once an independent mistress who was baptized by himself the patriarch in the capital of Orthodoxy, had to be secretly kept a priest with you, so as not to cause a new outbreak anti-Christian fanaticism. But before she died, she forbade her to perform pagan feasts and bequeathed openly bury her according to the Orthodox rite. Presbyter Gregory, who was with her in 957 in Constantinople, fulfilled her will exactly.
Saint Olga lived, died, and was buried as a Christian. God glorified the holy worker, "the ruler faith" in the Russian land by miracles and incorruptibility of relics. Jacob Mnich, 100 years after her death, wrote in his "In memory and praise to Vladimir": "God He glorified the body of His servant Olena, and there is her body in the tomb The honest and indestructible remains to this day. Blessed Princess Olga glorified God with her good deeds, and God glorified her."
Under the holy prince Vladimir, about the year 1007, the relics of the saint Olga was transferred to the Church of the Tithes of the Mother of God and placed in a special sarcophagus, in which it was customary to lay the relics of saints in the Orthodox East.
In the same way, after her death, Saint Olga preached eternal life and the resurrection, filling believers with joy and admonishing Unbelievers. It was, according to the Monk Nestor The chronicler, "the forerunner of the Christian land, as A stall before the sun, like a dawn before dawn. She is the first of the Russians to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, her and The sons of Russia praise their initiator, for after death she prays to God for Russia."
24 July 2007