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Olga was born in the late ninth century in what is now northwestern Russia. As a young woman she married Igor I, ruler of the Kievan Rus’. While their son Svyatoslav was yet a boy, Igor was murdered by a tribe he had previously conquered. Olga ruled as regent on behalf of her son, and took bloody vengeance on her husband’s murderers. She governed with the full support of her people, and several times rejected marriage proposals in order to keep the throne for her son. Around the year of Our Lord 957 Olga traveled to Constantinople to meet with the Byzantine emperor, and the glory of the faith in the Imperial capital converted her to Christianity. From then on, she strove to Christianize her own land, though with little success. She handed rulership over to Svyatoslav once he came of age, and while he did not convert himself, he did agree to tolerate Christianity in his lands. Olga died of illness in the year of Our Lord 969, and was able to achieve from heaven what she could not do on earth. Her grandson St. Vladimir the Great unexpectedly converted, and led his people to do the same. For their roles in spreading the faith, Olga and Vladimir are honored in the East with the great title “Equal to the Apostles.”
AT Rome, the blessed Pius, pope and martyr, who was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
At Nicopolis, in Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Januarius and Pelagia, who for four days were racked, torn with iron claws and pieces of earthenware, and thus achieved their martyrdom.
In the territory of Sens, St. Sidronius, martyr.
At Iconium, St. Marcian, martyr, who obtained the palm of martyrdom by many torments, under the governor Perennius.
At Sida, in Pamphylia, St. Cindeus, priest, in the time of the emperor Diocletian and the governor Stratonicus. After suffering many torments, he was thrown into the fire, but remaining uninjured, he yielded up his soul in prayer.
At Brescia, the holy martyrs Savinus and Cyprian.
At Bergamo, St. John, a bishop, who was killed by the Arians for defending the Catholic faith.
At Cordova, St. Abundius, a priest, crowned with martyrdom whilst preaching against the sect of Mahomet.
In the territory of Poitiers, St. Sabinus, confessor.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.