Orthodox rites and traditions: when the day of Angel Olga is celebrated

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

As you know, a person who has been baptized celebrates not only his birthday, but also the day of the angel who is assigned to him as patrons and helpers. This is, as a rule, one of the saints, whose memory the church honors and regularly celebrates his name day. Among the very first women of Russia to be canonized was Princess Olga.

Angel Day has arrived

Angel Olga's Day falls on several dates. The most famous is July 24, and it is associated with St. Olga, the Russian princess, the first to accept Orthodoxy among the statesmen of Kievan Rus. The story of this extraordinary woman is extremely interesting and instructive. Being the wife of Igor from the glorious family of Rurikovich, she was not limited only to the role of the keeper of the hearth, the educator of children or her husband's assistant in economic affairs. The princess learned to read and write and, being naturally smart and reasonable, became Igor's right hand in ruling the state. It is not surprising that Olga's angel's day is associated with this woman.

When the prince died in one of the military campaigns, his wife took over all the reins of government. She delved intosubtleties of state power and coped with the burden more than successfully. And even when the son Svyatoslav, Igor's heir, was able to ascend the throne of Kyiv, his mother often replaced him while the young prince fought with his enemies. By the way, Olga herself more than once stood under the banner and led squads. And her revenge for the death of her husband was legendary for all time.

Day of Olga's angel is a Christian holiday, and this religion condemns all bloodshed and murder, especially 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 keenly interested in it. And in general, what only she did not do! Expanded the boundaries of the principality, adding new lands; competently conducted monetary calculations, strengthening the treasury; wisely managed foreign affairs, bringing fame and respect to Russia among its neighbors. It was under her rule that stone buildings began to be built in Kyiv for the first time.

At the age of almost 60, Olga goes to Byzantium in order to strengthen the position of the principality in the eyes of the ruler Constantine. Her beauty, along with intelligence, dignity and many other qualities, captivated and delighted the prince so much that he decided to marry the Russian Olga.

However, not wanting this marriage and not being able to refuse directly, she came up with a clever move. Constantine was already a Christian. In order 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 what she did not need.marriage, and even more connected the then strong Byzantium with the growing and developing Old Russian principality. She became the first Russian saint, having been baptized long before it came to Russia. By the way, Olga's grandson, Oleg Svyatoslavovich, did it. Therefore, the day of the angel Olga is dedicated, first of all, to her - the Princess of Kyiv, in Christianity - Elena.

Glorious traditions

The events that we remembered happened a very, very long time ago - back in the 9th century. Much water has flowed under the bridge since then. Other women with the same name appeared in the holy calendar - the new martyrs. And now Olga can celebrate her angel's day several times. Each date is associated with the tragic fate of a woman who at one time suffered for her faith. It's 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 the faith early and helped all her life 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 stubbornness and disobedience, an elderly woman was sentenced to 8 years in the camps. She did not survive even half of the term - she died from deprivation, excessive physical labor and exhaustion. In 2000, she was canonized as a saint. This is how another Saint Olga appeared, whose name day (angel's day) is celebrated on November 23 and February 11.