As a Swede he became an Orthodox saint and a symbol of Ukrainian freedom

Viking princess Ingejerda (Ingegerda) daughter of Olaf (Ulova) has now become a symbol of freedom for both warring parties during the Ukrainian war. Both Russians and Ukrainians consider him a saint, but, as he was, opinions differ. For some it is Queen Irene, for others Saint Anne of Novgorod. At that time there was no Internet, Vakaras Žinu or YouTube, so news about this person was stored for us in sagas and stories. Around 1019 she married Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Novgorod and adopted the Orthodox name Irīna (Inna), which means “peace” in Greek. As a wedding gift, the new wife received the city of Ladoga, which is said to have been called Ingria ever since. She entered the monastery as Anna at the end of her life.