Olga

(ca. 890-969) - the wife of Prince Igor, the first female ruler of the Russian state (regent for her son Svyatoslav). Has a 945-946 years. first legislative procedure for the collection of tribute from the population of Kiev Power. In 955 g. (according to other sources, 957) made a trip to Constantinople, where secretly adopted Christianity under the name Helena. In 959 g. the first of the Russian rulers sent an embassy to western Europe, the Emperor Otto I. His answer was the direction of 961-962 years. missionary objectives in Kiev Archbishop Adalbert, who tried to bring to Russia Western Christianity. However, Svyatoslav and his associates refused to Christianization and Olga was forced to hand over power to his son.
In the last years of his life from political activities had actually been dismissed. Nevertheless, retained considerable influence on his grandson - the future of the Holy Prince Vladimir, who was able to convince of the need for Christianity.