Olga
One of the first Russian Christians and possibly the first Russian saint, Olga was born c. 879/890 and was married to Grand Duke Igor of Kiev c. 903. When he was assassinated in 945, Olga became regent for their son, Svyatoslav, a post she relinquinshed when he came of age in 964. She was an effective administrator and leader. She avenged the death of her husband: she had his murderers scalded and their followers killed. She was baptized, probably in Constantinople, c. 957 and tried to persuade her son to convert and to Christianize Russia. Many believe that she had embraced the teachings of Christianity before her baptism. When she died in 969, Russia was still a largely pagan country. Her grandson, Vladimir, fullfilled her dream of converting the Russian nation.
Karen Rae Keck
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