.avif&w=3840&q=75)
Saint Olga
of Kiev.
- Born
- 890 · Pleskov
- Fell asleep
- 969
- Feast day
- July 11 (New) · July 24 (Old)
Get a reminder on the feast in Orthodox Daily Companion → - Country
- Russia
The life of St. Olga of Kiev About Saint
Olga of Kiev
St. Olga of Kiev, also known as Olga the Wise, was the regent of Kievan Rus' from 945 to 960 AD and is celebrated for her role in introducing Christianity to the region. As the grandmother of St. Vladimir the Great, she laid the spiritual groundwork for the later Christianization of Kievan Rus'. Olga is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church for her piety, wisdom, and efforts to spread the Christian faith. She is honored as “Equal-to-the-Apostles” for her missionary work.
Early years
Olga was born around 890 AD in Pskov, in what is now Russia. Little is known about her early life, but she married Prince Igor of Kiev, with whom she had a son, Sviatoslav. In 945 AD, after the assassination of her husband by the Drevlians, a neighboring tribe, Olga assumed the role of regent for her young son. Despite the challenges she faced, Olga proved to be a shrewd and capable ruler, known for her fierce retribution against the Drevlians, as well as for her administrative reforms.
In the Church
Olga’s conversion to Christianity is believed to have occurred during a visit to Constantinople in the 950s, where she was baptized by the Patriarch of Constantinople, taking the name Helena in honor of the Byzantine Empress. Her baptism marked a significant turning point in her life, as she began advocating for the Christian faith within her realm. Although she was unable to convert her son Sviatoslav, her efforts laid the foundation for the eventual Christianization of Kievan Rus' by her grandson, St. Vladimir the Great. Olga’s commitment to her faith was evident in her support for building churches and spreading Christian teachings.
Later years
St. Olga continued to rule as regent until her son came of age, after which she retired from public life but remained influential in her court. She passed away in 969 AD, revered for her wisdom and piety. Though her efforts to convert Kievan Rus' to Christianity did not fully materialize during her lifetime, her influence was instrumental in the later acceptance of Christianity by her people. Olga was canonized by the Orthodox Church for her role as a pioneer of the faith in Kievan Rus', and her feast day is celebrated on July 11. She is remembered among the female Orthodox saints for her profound contributions to the Christianization of her nation.
Legacy and veneration
St. Olga of Kiev’s legacy is foundational in the history of Eastern Christianity. As the first ruler of Kievan Rus' to embrace Christianity, she set the stage for the mass conversion that would follow under her grandson, St. Vladimir. Her title “Equal-to-the-Apostles” reflects her significant role in the spread of Christianity. St. Olga is remembered as a wise and determined leader who navigated the complexities of her time with faith and resilience, making a lasting impact on the spiritual heritage of Eastern Europe.
Veneration of St. Olga of Kiev How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Where are the relics of Saint Olga of Kiev
- The relics of St. Olga are believed to have been enshrined in the Church of the Tithes in Kiev, where they were venerated until the church’s destruction in the 13th century. Today, her legacy is honored in numerous churches dedicated to her across Eastern Europe, where icons and smaller relics of the saint are venerated by the faithful.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Olga of Kiev.
- When is the feast day of St. Olga of Kiev?
- The Church commemorates St. Olga of Kiev on July 11. Parishes that keep the Old (Julian) Calendar celebrate the same feast on July 24 of the civil calendar.
- Where are the relics of St. Olga of Kiev?
- The relics of St. Olga are believed to have been enshrined in the Church of the Tithes in Kiev, where they were venerated until the church’s destruction in the 13th century. Today, her legacy is honored in numerous churches dedicated to her across Eastern Europe, where icons and smaller relics of the saint are venerated by the faithful.
A saint for every day.
A saint, a reading, and the day's fasting guideline for every day of the year - with gifts for the icon corner beside it.
- Ships in 2–3 business days
- Secure checkout · Stripe
- Gift note at checkout
- Arrives damaged? Replaced
.avif&w=3840&q=75)
.avif&w=3840&q=75){kind=icon}
Read a life like this
every morning.
Meet the daily saints through Orthodox Daily Companion on iPhone and Android, or through the Lives of the Saints web app in any modern browser.
Orthodox Daily Companion
The native app for iPhone, iPad, and Android, with daily prayer reminders and a private journal.
Lives of the Saints Web App
The browser experience for desktop, tablet, or phone, with a seven-day trial of the complete devotional library.
Open the web appGet a life like this one on every new tab - free, no account, from the same catalogue.
Related stories
More from the tradition.
Read the Journal
Essays on feasts, fasting, and the rhythm of the Church year.
ExploreOrthodox countries
How the faith is lived and kept across the Christian world.
ExploreThe 2027 Calendar
A saint, a reading, and the day's fasting guideline for every day of 2027.
ExploreMobile & web apps
Carry the daily rhythm on iPhone and Android or continue in the web app.
Explore