As you know, a person who has been baptized celebrates not only his birthday, but also the day of that angel who was appointed to him as patron and assistant. This is usually one of the saints, the memory of which is honored by the church and regularly celebrates its name day. Among the very first women of Russia who passed the canonization, Princess Olga became.
Angel day has comeOlga 's Angel Day falls on several dates. The most famous is July 24, and it is associated with St. Olga, the Russian princess, who first converted to Orthodoxy among the statesmen of Kievan Rus. The story of this outstanding woman is extremely interesting and instructive. Being the wife of Igor from the glorious family of the Rurikovich, she was not limited only to the role of the guardian of the hearth, the teacher of children or the assistant to her husband in household matters. The princess learned to read and write, and being naturally smart and judicious, she became Igor's right hand during government. It is not surprising that Olga’s angel day is associated with this particular woman.
When the prince died in one of the military campaigns, his wife took over all the reins of government. She delved into the intricacies of state power and coped with the burden more than successfully. And even when the son of Svyatoslav, Igor’s heir, was able to ascend the throne of Kiev, his mother often replaced him while the young prince was fighting enemies. By the way, Olga herself more than once stood under the banner and led the squad. And her revenge for her husband’s death has become a legend for all time.
Olga's Angel Day is a Christian holiday, and this religion condemns all bloodshed and murder, all the more so cruel, but at the time of its commission the princess was still a pagan, although she heard a lot about the new religion and was vividly interested in it. Anyway, what she did not do! Expanding the borders of the principality, annexing new lands; competently conducted cash payments, strengthening the treasury; wisely led foreign affairs, bringing glory and respect to Russia among neighbors. It was under her rule that stone buildings were first built in Kiev.
At the age of almost 60 years, Olga went to Byzantium in order to strengthen the position of the principality in the eyes of the ruler Constantine. Her beauty, along with her intelligence, dignity, and many other qualities, was so captivated and admired by the prince that he decided to marry Russian Olga.
However, not wanting this marriage and not being able to refuse directly, she came up with a tricky move. Constantine was already a Christian. To marry him, the princess should also be baptized. And Olga asked Konstantin to become her godfather. A brilliant move worthy of the most sophisticated diplomat! Thus, the princess avoided the marriage unnecessary to her, and even more connected the then strong Byzantium with the growing and developing Old Russian principality. She became the first Russian saint to receive baptism long before it came to Russia. By the way, Olga’s grandson Oleg Svyatoslavovich did this. Therefore, the day of Olga's angel is dedicated, first of all, to her - the princess of Kiev, in Christianity - Elena.
Glorious traditionsThe events that we recalled took place a very, very long time ago - back in the 9th century. Much water has since flowed. Other women with the same name, the New Martyr, also appeared in the holy calendar. And now Olga can celebrate her angel day several times. Each date is associated with the tragic fate of a particular woman who at one time suffered for the faith. This is February, the 10th; March - 6th and 14th; in July the 17th and 24th; November - 23rd.
The last date also has an interesting fate. She is associated with Olga Maslenikova, who was born in the last thirty years of the 19th century in Kaluga. She came to faith early and all her life she helped in services at the local church. In the terrible 1937, at the height of the Stalinist repressions, she was arrested and demanded to renounce her beliefs. For perseverance and disobedience, an already elderly woman was sentenced to 8 years in camps. She did not survive even half the term - she died from deprivation, excessive physical labor and exhaustion. In 2000, she was counted among the saints. So another saint Olga appeared, whose name day (angel's day) is celebrated on November 23 and February 11.