OO
Olga of Kiev
Vitals
Family
Spouse
Children
About
Saint Olga of Kiev ruled as regent for her son and is remembered for two things that sit oddly together: an extravagantly savage revenge on the tribe that killed her husband, and being the first of the Rus to accept Christianity. Her grandson Vladimir converted the whole realm a generation later. She was canonised as Equal-to-the-Apostles.
Research notes
✓ DOCUMENTED (web-confirmed 25 Jul 2026): ST OLGA OF KIEV (c.890-969), regent of Kievan Rus 945-c.960 for her son Sviatoslav; the first Rus ruler to be baptised (at Constantinople) and later canonised 'Equal-to-the-Apostles'. Wife of Igor, mother of Sviatoslav I (our line). Her origins (a woman of Pskov) are note-only. Direct ancestress. Added 25 Jul 2026.