Olga (c.879–969), grand-duchess and widow. Most of her long life was spent in ruling her people: after the assassination of her husband, Prince Igor of Kiev, in 945, she ruthlessly punished his murderers and their followers and ruled the country in his stead. In about 957 she became a convinced Christian and made strong but largely unsuccessful attempts to introduce Christianity among her people: she also failed to convert her son Syvatoslav. However, she continued her efforts and requested missionaries from the emperor Otto I. Her grandson Vladimir brought her aspirations to fulfilment: she is usually associated with his achievements as a precursor. The Russian council of 1574 confirmed a popular cult: her feast is observed by Russian and Ukrainian churches on 11 July.

Bibliography
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• Bibl. SS., ix. 1149–52