queen of Igor, the second monarch of Russia, who flourished about the year 880, having succeeded his father Ruric, who died in 878. Olga was born in Plescow, and was of the best family in that city. She bore him one son, called Svetozlaw. Igor being murdered by the Drevenes, or Drewlani, Olga revenged his death. She went afterwards, for what reason we know not, to Constantinople, where she was baptized, and received the name of Helena.

The emperor John Zimisches was her godfather, and fell in love with her as we are told ; but she, alleging their spiritual alliance, refused to marry him. Her example made some impression upon her subjects, a good number of whom became converts to Christianity ; but none upon her son, who reigned for a long time after her death, which happened at Perelaw, in the 80th year of her age, 14 years after her baptism. The Russians to this day rank her among their saints, and commemorate her festival on the 11th of July.