When we celebrate St. Olga’s Day in 2023 and how to spend this holiday Bashny.Net

Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga - the wife of Igor Rurikovich, who after Prince Oleg became the ruler of Kievan Rus. As a child, she was promised in marriage to the future prince, so at first their marriage was formal. Upon reaching maturity, Olga became the full-fledged wife of the Grand Duke and gave him an heir - Svyatoslav.



Since Prince Igor was constantly busy with campaigns, Princess Olga began to gradually delve into the affairs of the state. Often meeting representatives of the Christian faith, the woman noted their education and breadth of outlook. The princess appreciated the prospects that would open before the state in the event of the adoption of Christianity by Kievan Rus, and did not imagine the future of the country without this faith.

After Igor’s death, the princess took control of the country into her own hands. Olga demonstrated her power, severely punished the rebellious and brought order to the territory of the state.



Then she took up foreign policy and went on a visit to Constantinople. There Olga adopted Christianity to establish relations with Germany and Byzantium on an equal footing. Thus, it determined the direction of foreign policy relations for two centuries to come.

Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich officially headed Kievan Rus in 964. The wise mother told Svyatoslav how to rule the country, and persuaded her son to be baptized. But he was more interested in campaigns and military glory. Therefore, Olga ruled the state until her death.



Grand Duchess Olga died on July 24 (according to the new calendar) in 969. She wanted to bury her body in a Christian way. After some time, the relics of the saint were transferred to the temple of the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God.

The grandson of the princess Vladimir continued the business started by her grandmother to strengthen the state, introduce Christianity and increase education in the country. In 988, Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich baptized Kievan Rus.

When we celebrate the day of St. Olga, the Christian Church has listed Princess Olga as a saint and honors her as an equal-to-the-apostles person on July 24. The saint is depicted on full-length icons with a cross and an Orthodox church in her hands. She is considered the patroness of newly converted Christians, inconsolable widows and mothers with sons.



On the day of memory of St. Olga, parishioners visit the church, put candles in front of images and read prayers. Pray for the welfare of the family and a happy marriage. They ask the saint to protect the children from harm, help them get pregnant and return her husband to the family. They appeal to the icon with prayers so that the intercessor sends good weather for the harvest time and blessings the successful harvest.

Prayer:

Oh, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, accept the praise of us, unworthy servants of God (names), before your honest icon praying and humbly asking: protect us with your prayers and intercession from misfortunes and misfortunes, sorrows and cruel sins; deliver us from future torments, honestly creating your holy memory and glorifying you God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, Father and Son, and the Holy Spirit now and forever and ever! Amen!



People say that July 24 comes the time of suffering and thunderstorms. The sunny weather on this day foreshadowed a rich harvest of cereals. If on the feast of St. Olga thunder and rain, the fishermen expected a good peck of fish.



On the day of the Apostles Olga adhered to the prohibitions. It is impossible to swear, swear and build evil intentions on the holiday. Sin today wash, clean the house and do needlework. It is forbidden to engage in heavy physical labor. On this day, work in the field of harvesting grains is welcome.